What is the Colorado traction law?

Want your car looked over before winter driving out of Durango? Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

When does CDOT turn on the traction law?

CDOT puts the passenger vehicle traction law in place during winter storms or whenever road conditions require it, and the CDOT traction and chain law page says it can do that on any state highway. On I-70 from Morrison to Dotsero, CDOT notes the law can be enforced with fines between September 1 and May 31, or whenever conditions require. You find out a law is active from highway signs, COtrip.org, and traffic and road condition alerts. Drivers heading north from Durango on US-550 cross Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain passes, so check before you go.

What tires meet the Colorado traction law?

Per CDOT, tires need two things during an active traction law:

• At least 3/16 inch of tread depth.
• An all weather or winter rating, shown by the mountain-snowflake icon, M+S, or M/S on the sidewall.

If your tires do not meet both, you need to carry chains or an approved alternative traction device. CDOT keeps a list of approved devices on its page. A tread depth gauge from an auto parts store is the simple way to measure tread instead of guessing.

What is the difference between the traction law and the chain law?

The traction law is the first step. The passenger vehicle chain law is what CDOT uses during severe winter storms, and CDOT calls it the final safety measure before a highway is closed. When the chain law is in effect, every vehicle must have chains or an approved alternative traction device, no matter what tires it has.

Does AWD or 4WD meet the traction law?

The current CDOT page lists the requirement in terms of tires, chains, and approved traction devices. It separately recommends driving an AWD or 4WD vehicle in the mountains whenever possible. Read it as advice, not a substitute for the tire rule: an AWD vehicle on worn tires still needs the tread and rating above, or chains.

Next step: planning mountain driving this winter? Book an overall vehicle inspection in Durango. Ask us to look at your tires while the car is in, and we share photos and findings so you know where it stands before the passes.

What happens if I do not follow the traction law?

CDOT lists a fine plus a surcharge for not complying. The penalty is larger if a vehicle that does not comply ends up blocking a travel lane and causes a road closure. Amounts can change, so check the CDOT page for current numbers.

How do I get my car ready for traction law days in Durango?

Tires come first, then the rest of the car. Even tread wear helps, so ask about a tire rotation in Durango if it is due. Pack the basics from our list of what to keep in your car for winter in Durango, and recheck pressure as temperatures drop, since tire pressure changes in the mountains. On long grades, our post on using low gear down a mountain pass covers brake heat.

Who can check my car before winter driving in Durango?

Ace AutoFix is a locally owned shop at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We rotate tires, align wheels, and handle brakes, batteries, and cooling systems on any brand of car and on gas or light-duty trucks. We do not work on diesel vehicles.

Book a pre-winter check at Ace AutoFix

Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Ace AutoFix is locally owned at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cars and gas or light-duty trucks. No diesel.