The mayor of Vail, Colorado, is pushing for a significant increase in fines targeting truckers who violate the state’s chain law.
During a Vail Town Council meeting on January 7, 2025, Mayor Travis Coggin emphasized the urgent need for stronger measures against truckers who neglect to use chains. He urged immediate action to significantly raise the fines imposed on these individuals.
Coggin urged Colorado legislators to raise the fines for breaking the state’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Chain Law following an incident on December 30, 2024. Several trucks got stuck on eastbound I-70 through Vail Pass after bypassing a chain-up station during harsh winter conditions. This led to the closure of the road for over three hours, as reported by Vail Daily.
“Clearly five hundred bucks does not change anyone’s mind. I think I saw on the Vail Daily the other day that the first snowstorm, twelve truckers had blown by … It’s offensive to our community, and I would like to see if we can get Eagle, Summit, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Lake, and Pitkin Counties, including every other municipality in between who is on I-70. Because there needs to be points, or there needs to be a $20,000 fine,” said Coggin.
“They just need the political willpower to do it, and it is decades past time,” Coggin concluded.
Colorado law currently imposes penalties for commercial vehicle drivers who fail to comply with winter driving restrictions. Non-compliance can result in a fine of up to $500, along with a $79 surcharge. In cases where the vehicle is stuck and obstructing the roadway, the fine increases to $1000, with an additional $157 surcharge.
Last year, Colorado implemented new regulations for chain laws and introduced commercial vehicle lane restrictions on I-70. These changes were made to ensure safety on the road during the fall, winter, and early spring seasons. Truckers are now required to carry chains on a greater number of roadways. Additionally, trucks are prohibited from using the far left lane on I-70, with some exceptions. To stay up to date with the latest updates on Colorado chain laws, you can find more information by clicking here.