Colorado’s New Winter Traction Law Enacted to Reduce Accidents

This winter, drivers in Colorado are required to have proper tires while driving on state highways during winter storms. The reason is simple: proper tire tread saves lives. When tires cannot grip the road surface, vehicles slide, spin out, and cause dangerous multi-car accidents that lead to severe injuries, fatalities, and extended road closures. Deeper tread improves traction on snow and ice, reduces stopping distances, and helps drivers maintain control.

Every year, countless drivers lacking adequate traction cause preventable accidents, highway closures, and serious injuries. For Colorado residents and visitors unfamiliar with snow, Colorado’s new traction laws are more than a formality. Colorado’s new traction law help prevent multi-vehicle accidents, lengthy delays, and even fatalities.

This winter, Colorado requires drivers to have tire tread depth of at least 3/16-inch and be rated as winter tires (mountain snowflake icon), all-weather rated tires, or mud and snow tires (M+S). This applies to all 4WD and AWD vehicles. If a vehicle does not meet these standards, two or more of the vehicle’s tires must be equipped with tire chains or an approved alternative traction device (ATD).

Winter accidents often lead to personal injury lawsuits and costly disputes over liability when tortfeasors attempt to claim they are not responsible. For those injured in winter accidents caused by drivers who violate traction requirements, the law plays an important role in determining negligence and liability in personal injury claims.

Colorado Traction Law: What Drivers Need to Know

Colorado’s traction law applies to all passenger vehicles driving on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison from September 1 through May 31, and it may be activated on any state highway when weather or road conditions require it. When the traction law is active, all drivers must have:

• Tires with a minimum 3/16-inch tread depth
• Winter tires (mountain-snowflake icon), all-weather tires, or mud and snow (M+S) tires
  OR
• Tire chains or an approved traction device on two or more drive tires if the tires do not meet traction standards

Drivers who fail to comply can face fines of more than $130, and if they block the roadway due to poor equipment, the fine can exceed $650. Beyond these penalties, the consequences are often far more severe. A single car sliding sideways on I-70 can trigger multi-car collisions, serious injuries, and even fatalities. The Colorado Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) estimates that each hour I-70 is closed costs the state nearly $2 million in economic impact. Those costs reflect emergency response, lost tourism revenue, and major travel disruption.

New Requirements for Rental Cars in Colorado

During Presidents Day weekend, drivers were stranded on I-70 for nearly 9 hours due to spinouts and multi-vehicle accidents caused by rental vehicles without appropriate winter tires. During that week, Colorado saw back-to-back storms that dropped several feet of snow. Colorado State Patrol (“CSP”) public information officer, Sherri Mendez, said troopers responded to 149 vehicle assists, 23 property damage accidents, and 3 collisions that resulted in significant injury.

According to the CSP, many drivers cited for traction violations over Presidents Day weekend were rental car drivers unfamiliar with Colorado’s winter conditions. To address recurring safety issues involving visitors driving in winter conditions, Colorado’s new traction law also requires rental car agencies to notify customers of traction requirements before they drive away. Rental agencies can provide this information verbally, on mobile apps at check-in, or through visible notices inside vehicles.

At Denver International Airport, all-season tires are standard across fleets but most rental car agencies cannot guarantee a vehicle that can easily handle mountain conditions. Additionally, rental car agencies do not allow snow chains on their vehicles because rentals could be damaged. This likely stems from the fact most people do not know how to properly equip chains.

When Contract Rules Conflict with Traction Requirements

One common issue is whether rental car agreements that prohibit tire chains override the traction law. According to AAA Public Affairs Director Skyler McKinley, drivers must comply with Colorado law regardless of what the rental agreement says. This means contract terms cannot excuse violations of state safety regulations. If chains are required but a rental company prohibits them, drivers must either switch to a compliant vehicle or obtain traction equipment themselves. Drivers who ignore these requirements put themselves and others at significant risk — and face higher liability exposure if a crash occurs.

Failing to follow the traction law does not just result in a ticket. It can dramatically affect the outcome of a personal injury case. If a vehicle loses control and injures someone due to improper tires or lack of chains, the law allows personal attorneys to argue the driver acted negligently. Violating a safety statute designed to prevent exactly that type of accident creates a powerful argument for accountability, compensation, and justice for injured victims.

Damages in these cases may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent impairment
• Property damage

These claims are often heavily contested by insurance companies attempting to shift blame to weather, road maintenance, or other drivers. However, the traction law is a clear standard that strengthens the case for victims.

Preventing Winter Driving Accidents

Colorado’s traction law is not just about regulation. It is about preventing catastrophic injuries and saving lives. CDOT emphasizes that winter driving is a skill that requires preparation, equipment, and awareness. Drivers should check tire tread depth before traveling into the mountains and carry emergency equipment such as water, first-aid supplies, and traction devices. They should also avoid tailgating, reduce speed, and drive defensively — particularly on steep grades and in low-visibility conditions.

Trooper Sherri Mendez with the Colorado State Patrol reports that speeding on I-70 from November to March increases the risk of a crash by 2.5 times. Preventing these collisions begins with responsible decisions, and that starts with following the law.

Why the Colorado Traction Law Matters for Personal Injury Cases

From a legal perspective, the Colorado traction law plays a key role in determining fault in winter driving accidents. It is considered negligence per se when a driver fails to comply with traction requirements and causes a collision. This means the violation itself can help establish liability. In many cases, insurance companies attempt to blame weather conditions or unavoidable circumstances. However, compliance with the traction law is not optional. If a driver spins out, slides into another vehicle, or blocks the roadway because they lacked proper traction equipment, that violation can significantly strengthen a personal injury case.

This law matters in personal injury cases because many out-of-state drivers simply do not know what winter-compliant tires look like or how traction laws work. Questions about responsibility arise when drivers are in accidents and have not been properly informed. These disputes frequently lead to litigation, insurance disagreements, and injury claims requiring extensive investigation.

Colorado traction law requirements exist because winter crashes are predictable and preventable. Proper equipment limits weather-related spinouts, multi-car pileups, and hours-long highway closures. For people injured in winter collisions caused by traction violations, legal help is essential in navigating liability and securing compensation.

Injured in an Accident on I-70? Call Bowman Law

If you or a loved one has been injured in a winter driving accident involving a traction law violation, our Colorado traction law attorneys can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Understanding fault in these cases can be complex, and early investigation is crucial.

At Bowman Law, our personal injury lawyers understand how to combat aggressive corporate defense teams and powerful insurance carriers determined to limit payouts. We have the experience and resources to take on these challenges head-on. We have built a reputation by combining deep knowledge of skilled accident reconstruction and relentless advocacy for clients. At Bowman Law, we do not just handle cases — we build them to withstand the most aggressive defense strategies.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a winter accident in Colorado, contact a law firm with a proven record of success. Please send us a message or call us at 720-863-6904 to schedule a free case evaluation. Our Colorado truck accident lawyers will fight to protect your rights and deliver the justice you deserve. We serve clients across Colorado’s Front Range and beyond, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Westminster, Lakewood, and Aurora.