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DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would improve access to chains and traction devices while navigating winter road conditions to improve road safety. SB25-069, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco, passed by a vote of 54-11.
“Communities in my district, like Vail and Steamboat Springs, are frequented by people who may not have winter driving experience or the knowledge to use life-saving traction devices on their vehicles,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This poses a serious threat to road safety, which is why we’re passing this bill to provide a safe environment for drivers to receive assistance installing or removing tire chains and other traction devices. We’re giving drivers the option to seek these roadside services from experienced professionals to keep themselves and fellow road users safe.”
“Glenwood Canyon has the most accidents and road closures along I-70 nationally, which is why we need this bill to protect Colorado drivers,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Keeping Western Slope roads safe is a major priority in my district to ensure that residents, tourists and long-haul truckers can get where they need to go quickly and safely. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to make road travel safer for all road users.”
SB25-069 would allow the Colorado Department of Transportation to authorize third-party vendors and companies to set up a roadside station to help install or remove tire chains or other traction devices on commercial and passenger vehicles.
The bill directs CDOT to establish procedures for issuing a permit to vendors and requires that those installing tire chains or traction devices wear reflective clothing and use traffic control devices. The bill also requires that, between September 1 and May 31, rental car companies notify their renters of Colorado’s traction laws, whether the rental vehicle complies with the laws and the penalties for any violation of the law.
The legislature passed a bipartisan law, also sponsored by Rep. Velasco, to enhance road safety on mountain highways by requiring commercial vehicles to carry chains on certain highways and prohibiting commercial vehicles from driving in the left lane on certain segments of I-70.