Colorado traffic jams can be really bad, in fact, the drivers in Colorado Springs spend over 8 hours a week barely moving in their cars (INRIX 2021 Traffic Scorecard Report), and the Denver News Channel reports that the Denver traffic is one of the 21 worst cities in the country when it comes to traffic. Severe weather conditions in winter significantly add to that. So while in Colorado, you really need to plan your driving schedule. Please refer to these official online rese resources for the live traffic reports:

• Real time radio traffic report
• KRDO News
• 9 News
• KOAA News 5: Traffic in Southern Colorado

When to change into winter tires in Colorado?

Mud and snow tires are legally required for driving in harsh Colorado winter conditions. Snowfall in the Highest State can be intense, and traction laws are implemented as needed. To shop for new and used all weather and Mud+Snow tires, visit the all season tires section of Utires.com, and look for models with a mud and snow icon (M+S / MS) on the tire sidewall (you will also find the abbreviation in the tire’s name). Legal requirement — at least 3/32” tread depth, but we only list 4/32” tread left and higher as we deeply care for the safety of our customers.

Winter tires with a mountain-snowflake icon on the sidewall are the second recommended option for the Highest State, where winters can be truly severe. To get the best tire deals online, browse the winter tires section and the snow tires section of Utires.com! These categories are Traction law compliant and can be a real saver on icy, snowy, slushy winter roads! Curious “When to put snow tires on in Colorado?” Keep in mind that it is March when most of the snowfall occurs!

Studded tires are very popular in Colorado. It is one of the 6 U.S. states with no restrictions on the use of tires with studs. United Tires selection has the top selection of studdable tires with up to 50% discounts! Check out our daily offers and get a set of 2 or 4 tires for the price of 1!

The tire chains are not only legal in Colorado, but can be compulsory during the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law active period. It is a good idea to keep a set of tire chains in your trunk during the coldest winter months.

Pro tip: it’s easy to check the depth of the tread on your tires with a help of a quarter, just insert it into the tread groove head first. If a portion of the head is covered, you are good. If not, buy a new pair of tires online at Utires.com, best tire deals daily!

Colorado Traction Law: rules on snow, ice tires, and chain usage in the state

There are two types of restrictions that can be put in effect on Colorado roadways when weather conditions warrant. If you are Googling “Colorado snow tire law”, keep in mind that officially CDOT implements either Passenger Vehicle Traction Law or Passenger Vehicle Chain Law. Drivers are then alerted by highway signage, by the way of COtrip.org, and there will be traffic/roadway condition alerts that are easy to spot.

“The Passenger Vehicle Traction Law requires two-wheel-drive passenger vehicles to have all-season or mud and snow rated tires with adequate tread or to affix chains or alternate traction devices (ATDs). Four/all-wheel-drive vehicles must have all drive wheels engaged and tires with adequate tread depth”. As we mentioned, Colorado weather can be tough, so must be the Colorado tires.

The Passenger Vehicle Chain Law imposes the most restrictive requirements during inclement weather. All passenger vehicles must have chains or alternate traction devices (ATDs) on two or more drive tires. This applies to every two/four/all-wheel-drive passenger vehicle in the affected area”.

The penalties for violation of PVTL, and PVCL are more severe: “Motorists driving with inadequate equipment when a Traction Law or Chain Law is in effect could be fined more than $130.

If a motorist blocks the roadway because they have inadequate equipment when a Traction Law or Chain Law is in effect, he/she could be fined more than $650”.

For more information, check out the official Colorado Department of Transportation website safety section.

Key traffic rules to be aware of when driving in Colorado

• Left turns are allowed on red., Right turn on red is a pretty standard practice in many states, but in Colorado, you are permitted to take the left turn at a red light! You’ve got to be turning from a one-way road onto another one-way road, but check if signage indicates otherwise
• Observing the white stop lines at intersections in Denver is compulsory, so make sure you stop behind the white line and leave the pedestrian crossing to pedestrians!
• The left lane is for overtaking only, get back into the right lane as soon as possible. Don’t try to merge the traffic
• There should be no phone in the hands of drivers under 18 years old neither texting nor calling is allowed. One may use the phone to call emergency services, though
• The 3-second rule obliges you to leave that much distance from the vehicle in front of you
• Yield the right of way to buses that are indicating and re-entering traffic
• Motorists must yield to pedestrians
• Aggressive driving is a chargeable offense, refrain from any actions that can endanger pedestrians or fellow motorists.
• The blood alcohol limit in Colorado is a tiny 0.05%, anything higher than that is a driving while intoxicated offense (DWI) offense, that might result in hefty fines, public service, and jail time

Winter season driving rules

There are winter season rules, that are effective from the beginning of September and until the end of May, that regulate safety measures on Interstate 70. To quote Colorado State Patrol’s official website:

Two-wheel drive vehicle winter rules

“All two-wheel drive motor vehicles with a GCWR/GVWR less than 16,001 pounds traveling on any portion of I-70 between mile point 259 (Morrison) and mile point 133 (Dotsero) must have:

• Tire chains for two or more drive tires; or
• An approved ATD for two or more drive tires; or
• Tires with a tread depth of at least 3/16-inch and which are rated for either "All-season"; or
• "Mud and Snow" (indicated by an "All season," M+S, M/S, etc. on the sidewall) by the manufacturer.

4WD vehicle winter rules

All four-wheel-drive motor vehicles with a GCWR/GVWR that is less than 16,001 pounds traveling on any portion of I-70 between mile point 259 (Morrison) and mile point 133 (Dotsero) must have tires with a tread depth of at least 3/16-inch and are adequate for winter driving conditions.”

A $50 fine plus a $17 surcharge will be applied to non-compliant vehicle drivers.

To be safe and legal on the Highest State roads during the winter, shop for winter tires and the best all season tires for Colorado at Utires.com, and get free FedEx Home Delivery within 1-2 days to your Colorado home!

According to the Colorado parking law, no vehicle may be parked:

• Within 5 feet of a private driveway, or a public driveway
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk
• Within 30 feet of a flashing beacon or signal
• Within 30 feet from the stop or yield sign

It is illegal in Colorado to park between a safety zone and a curb, and, if there is construction happening on the road, and in case of a road obstruction, no parking is allowed opposite of it, or next to it.

According to the Official Colorado Department of Transportation website, “Although helmets are proven to save lives, riders age 18 and over are not required to wear helmets in Colorado. However, if the motorcycle operator or passengers are under age 18, they must wear DOT-approved helmets”. Be safe, protect yourself at all times!

Interstate highways

There are two interstate highways in Colorado. I-25 runs from north to south of the state, linking Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. I-70 runs east to west, linking Denver to Grand Junction and mountain communities. Smaller communities are often served only by county roads. Looking to buy high-quality new or used highway tires? Visit the highway tires section of Utires.com to shop for highway tires online, and to find the best tire deals of the day!

Colorado toll roads

The state of Colorado has 3 toll roads in total:

• E-470 runs through the suburbs of Denver and traverses the eastern portion of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area. It serves Denver International Airport., and provides the most direct route if coming from the North or the South
• Northwest Parkway links the intersection of I-25 and E-470 to US 36
• Pikes Peak Highway brings you from Cascade, Colorado to the summit of Pikes Peak.

Colorado Express Lanes

There are also some express lanes in Colorado as listed below:

• I-25 Express Lanes
• US-36 Express Lanes
• C-470 Express Lanes
• Central 70 Express Lanes
• I-70 Mountain corridor express lanes

For more information on Colorado Express Lanes, visit the official Colorado Department of Transportation website.

Both visitors and natives of Colorado are spoiled for choice of attractions, breath-taking views, and interesting historical places in Colorado. The Gold Fever Ghost towns, the Grand Canyon, The Rockies, and the Planes offer unforgettable experiences! Read more on the 26 scenic byways of Colorado and other attractions at the Official Site of Colorado Tourism.

1. When in the city of Alamosa, one is not allowed to “throw missiles at vehicles, designed for transportation of persons or goods”
2. Don’t you keep your broken-down car on private property, even if both belong to you, it is an offense worth a ticket
3. It is illegal to get lost whilst driving in Westminster between the hours of 9 p.m. - 4 a.m., so, please, don’t
4. Yet again, in Westminster watch out for anyone parking less than 2ft from your vehicle, if you let that happen, the ticket is on you
5. In Fountain, don’t break down on the public road, or face fines for the inconvenience created