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DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee 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 10-3.
“The Western Slope highways are some of the most dangerous places to be during the winter, and tourists and semi-truck drivers who are unfamiliar with winter driving could save lives by having the proper tools to travel on Colorado’s mountain roads,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “My district includes world-class ski resorts that attract visitors from all over the world, many of whom are navigating dangerous winter conditions and mountainous highways for the first time. This bill would improve road safety for residents and tourists by improving access to winter driving tools, like tire chains, that are proven to help prevent accidents.”
“Road closures in Glenwood Canyon are all too common, and they not only impact the safety of our communities but they also can be devastating to Western Slope economies,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “By implementing this successful safety measure, we can ensure road users properly use life-saving tire chains and traction-assistance devices. We’re building on past legislation to reduce accidents, especially involving semi-trucks, and keep our roads open and safe.”
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 includes procedures for issuing a permit to vendors, qualifications to be issued a permit, and a requirement 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 restricting commercial vehicles to the right lane on I-70 between Morrison and Glenwood Springs.