Colorado Axle Weight Limits

Maximum Legal Weight Allowed

Axle and Gross Weights:

The maximum single axle weight shall be 20,000 pounds. The maximum tandem axle weight shall be 34,000 pounds. The maximum gross weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be 80,000 pounds.

The maximum load per tire measured by pounds per inch of tire width shall be:

• Steering Axle 600 lbs./inch All other Axles 500 lbs./inch
• Except for the steering axles or wide base single tires described below, all axles weighing more than 10,000 pounds shall have at least four tires per axle.
• In lieu of four tires per axle, an axle may be equipped with wide base tires, limited to 500 pounds per inch of tire width.
• Every state reserves the right to permit or otherwise establish limits in excess of those described above for use on vehicle configurations designed to address safety or economic concerns.

Axle Group Weights:

The total gross weight in pounds imposed on the highway by any group of two or more consecutive axles on a vehicle or combination of vehicles, shall not exceed the values computed by Federal Bridge Formula “B” as follows:

W = 500 ((LN/N-1)+12N+36),

Where:

W = Maximum weight in pounds carried on any group of two or more axles computed to the nearest 500 pounds.
L = Distance in feet between the extremities of any group of two or more consecutive axles.
N = Number of axles in the group under consideration.
Exceptions to the axle group weights specified above which are federally mandated should be provided for by individual state code.

Maximum Permit Weight Allowed

Western Regional Agreement

Weight:

• 600 pounds per inch of tire width
• 21,500 pounds per Single Axle;
• 43,000 pounds per Tandem Axle
• 53,000 pounds per Tridem (wheelbase more than 8 ft. but not more than 13 ft.)
• 160,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight

In no case may the gross weight exceed the sum of the permitted axle, tandem axle, group axle weights or the weight specified by the permit, whichever is less.

For vehicles falling within the size and weight limitations, Member Jurisdictions may issue permits and collect fees for all Member Jurisdictions when they are either the entry/origin, destination/exit or a pass through jurisdiction on the route. This restriction is designed to allocate the burden of permit writing among the member jurisdictions. In addition, a third party permit service(s) may issue permits and collect fees for member jurisdictions with which the permit service has a written agreement. No permit issued by a third party permit issuer shall include a jurisdiction without its prior consent by written agreement.

Regardless of who writes the permit, the permit must be authorized or acquired prior to any movement within any of the member jurisdictions.

Source of information: http://washto.org/pdf/WASHTO_Guide_for_Uniform_Laws_and_Regulations_2009.pdf
https://www.codot.gov/business/permits/truckpermits