The Colorado State Patrol will hold its next chain enforcement operation on Tuesday, November 10, near Dotsero on Interstate 70 in Eagle County. The Patrol is warning commercial drivers early in the season to carry chains for winter weather.

The Patrol held its first two roadside chain operations of the season in Dotsero on October 23 and October 28. Troopers contacted 703 commercial drivers at that one location. They issued 262 citations. Of those, 63 were for chain violations under Colorado's Must Carry law.

That works out to nearly a 91 percent compliance rate with the law. Troopers called it a positive sign this early in chain law season.

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Troopers also stopped 119 professional drivers who failed to stop at the chain operation. Those drivers were issued citations and checked for chains.

The Patrol checks for chains at ports of entry, at active chain-up stations and during daily roadside contacts. It also runs operations during mild weather. These checks send a clear message to commercial drivers to stay prepared for winter weather along the I-70 mountain corridor.

The Patrol will post a reminder on its official X, Instagram and Facebook pages the morning of the event.

Under Colorado's current chain law, all commercial motor vehicle drivers must carry chains from September 1 to May 31. The law covers vehicles with a combined weight of more than 16,000 pounds used in commerce. It also covers vehicles that carry at least 16 passengers, including the driver, on public highways.

Commercial vehicles and buses take up more space on roads where chains are required. These vehicles must carry chains or alternative traction devices on the following roads, no matter the current weather:

• I-70 west of milepost 259 (Morrison) to the Utah border.
• Colorado Highway 9, milepost 63 to milepost 97 (Frisco to Fairplay).
• Route 40 milepost 256 (Empire) to the Utah border.
• U.S. Route 50 milepost 225 (Salida) to the Utah border.
• U.S. Route 160 milepost 304 (Walsenburg) to the New Mexico border.
• U.S. Route 285 milepost 250 (Morrison) to the New Mexico border.
• All of U.S. Route 550.

Drivers who break winter driving rules face up to a $500 fine plus a $79 surcharge. Drivers who get stuck and block any traveled part of the road face a $1,000 fine plus a $157 surcharge.

The Patrol wants to reduce road closures, stranded drivers and long delays caused by unprepared vehicles. It aims to make sure drivers follow the law before severe winter storms hit. Commercial drivers are encouraged to avoid fines by preparing now.