Colorado lawmakers advance bill allowing chain-assist vendors to set up along highways to ease winter traffic

A Colorado bill aimed at fighting winter traffic jams and preventing crashes on Interstate and other highways by letting private companies set up roadside tire chain stations is advancing in the state legislature Senate Bill backed by Sens Dylan Roberts a Frisco Democrat and Marc Catlin a Montrose Republican passed the House Finance Committee Thursday after clearing the full Senate earlier It s headed next to the House Appropriations Committee The bill would allow the Colorado Department of Transportation to issue permits to amenity providers that could sell install and remove tire chains for drivers of commercial trucks and guest vehicles It also would require car rental companies to notify customers about Colorado s traction law and the penalties for violation The idea is to ensure professional help is available to drivers who aren t able or inclined to install and remove tire chains Colorado s conveyance traction law already requires commercial conveyance drivers to use chains or other traction devices when winter conditions make roads slick Truckers rolling through the mountains must carry chains from Sept to May Other drivers must have all-wheel drive or use appropriate winter or all-season tires and have adequate tread depth of at least three-sixteenths of an inch if they don t meet the requirements they have to use chains or alternative traction devices when the traction law is in effect Related Articles How to drive in snow and ice A winter guide for newcomers tourists and those who forgot Here s what Colorado s new traction law means for ski season journey CDOT ski industry groups and the Colorado Motor Carriers Association promotion the chain-assist bill Preventing avoidable crashes spinouts and delays on I- and highways across the state is crucial for general safety and saving Coloradans time and money Roberts announced in a new announcement California Oregon and Washington have similar rules allowing vendors to help drivers install and remove chains Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter