Colorado Oversize / Overweight Regulations

What is considered as "Oversized Load" in Colorado?

DIMENSIONS:

Width: 8' 6"

Height: 14' 6"

Overhang: Front 4', Rear 10' Length: 57' 4"

What is considered as "Overweight Load" in Colorado?

WEIGHTS

Single Axle - 20,000 lb.

Tandem Axle - 36,000 lb. 

Tri-Axle - 54,000 lb.

Steer Axle- 20,000 lb. –

Maximum: 80,000 (Interstate)

Maximum: 85,000 non-Interstate

Colorado Oversize / Overweight Permits

Colorado Pilot Cars / Escorts

2. If the Overhang is more than 25 feet in the rear, the Pilot Escort Vehicle shall travel in the rear.

Pilot Escort Requirements

Pilot Escort drivers must must obtain and maintain certification to be authorized to escort an Extra-legal Vehicle or Load on a State Highway.

Colorado Axle Regulations

Axle Gross Weights

Axle Group                                                              Maximum

Single                                                                       20,000 lb.

Tandem                                                                   34,000 lb.

Two Tire Axle                                                         500 lb. per inch of tire width

Steering Axle                                                         500 lb. per inch of tire width

Gross Weight                                                         80,000 lb.

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.

Axle Group Requirements:

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”

Western Region Agreement

Maximum

• 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

Colorado Trip and Fuel (IRP / IFTA) Permits

If a commercial vehicle requiring apportionment is not apportioned for Colorado, but occasionally does business here, a Laden Weight Registration Trip permit should be purchased at the first port facility. These permits are valid for 72 hours for multiple trips.

Permit Fees:

GVW is 10,001 - 30,000 lbs. $60.00

GVW is 30,001 - 60,000 lbs. $70.00

GVW is 60,000 - legal max. lbs. $80.00

Fuel Permit

Vehicles Subject to IFTA:

1) Single unit with 2 axles and gross weight or registered weight greater than 26,000 lbs.

2) Single unit having 3 or more axles regardless of weight.

3) Combination unit when gross combination weight (GVW) or the registered weight (GVWR) is over 26,000 lbs.

Temporary IFTA permit obtainable at every Port of Entry location.

Source of information: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/csp/permits-and-forms

Colorado Overweight / Oversize Fines

Fines for overweight conditions are:

For weights in excess of legal weights the fines are:

1-2500 lb.                           $50.00

2501 - 5,000                      $100.00

5,001 - 7,500                     $200.00

7,501 - 10,000                  $400.00

In excess of 10,000 lb.   $150.00 for each 1,000 lb over 10,000 lb, plus $400.

Running Hours and Holiday Restrictions

Warning Lights

Yellow warning lights: 1 on the cab of the truck 2 or 3 at the rear corners and extremity of the load.

"Oversized Load" Banners

"Oversized Load" signs required for all oversized loads. Oversize loads required “Wide Load” or “Wide”, “Long Load” or “Long” , or “Oversize Load” or “Oversize,” as applicable.

All such signs shall either be 5 feet wide, 10 inches high with 1 inch wide brush stroke, black letters a minimum of 8 inches high on yellow background, or shall be 7 feet wide, 18 inches high, with a 1.41 inch brush stroke, black letters a minimum of 10 inches high on yellow background.

Flag Requirements

Flags required at all four corners of any extremities of wide and over length loads

Flags, Lights and Banners

Operating Times: Sunrise to Sunset

Loads up to 12' may operate with proper lights .

Loads over 12' up to 14' may operate at night with escort car.

Restricted Travel: Eisenhower Tunnel--Loads in excess of 13' 11" high MUST use US 6 bypass. Wide loads over 11' must pull over and call for clearance through tunnel. There are other time restrictions on Colorado highways specified in 2 CCR 601-4 (401)

Holiday Restrictions: An LVC is prohibited from travel at any time on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. If Independence Day falls on a Saturday an LVC is also prohibited from travel on the previous Friday, and if such holiday falls on a Sunday an LVC is also prohibited from travel on the following Monday. 

An LVC may travel on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. However, if such holiday falls on a Saturday an LVC is prohibited from travel on the previous Friday, and if such holiday falls on a Sunday an LVC is prohibited from travel on the following Monday.

An Extra-legal Vehicle or Load, other than an LVC; is prohibited from travel between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. When Independence Day falls on a Saturday an Extra-legal Vehicle or Load is also prohibited from travel on the previous Friday between 12:00 p.m. (noon) and 9:00 p.m., and when Independence Day falls on a Sunday an Extra-legal Vehicle or Load is also prohibited from travel on the following Monday between 12:00 p.m. (noon) and 9:00 p.m.

An Extra-legal Vehicle or Load is prohibited from travel between the hours of 12:00 p.m. (noon) and 9:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Colorado Tire Regulations

When the chain law is in effect, drivers will be notified which vehicles must chain up and where.

Metal chains must consist of two circular metal loops, one on each side of the tire, connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tread.

Commercial vehicles having four or more drive wheels must chain four wheels. Dual tire chains are acceptable.

Approved alternative traction devices include wheel sanders and the AutoSock.

Also tire cables are not permitted by law as an alternative traction device

Chain Law Level 1: All single drive axle combination commercial vehicles must chain all four driver wheels. All other commercial vehicles must have snow tires or chains. 

Chain Law Level 2; All commercial vehicles must chain up. Single drive axle and tandem drive axle combination commercial vehicles must chain four drive wheels. Busses must chain two drive wheels to comply.

Commercial vehicles traveling on I-70 in either direction between milepost 133 (Dotsero) and 259 (Morrison) from Sept. 1 from May 31 must carry sufficient chains at all times to be in compliance with the Colorado chain law.

Colorado Annual Permits

Dimensions:

• Colorado’s legal height limit is 14’6".
• Maximum width is 8’6” and legal weight is 80,000 pounds 
• Combined GVW (gross vehicle weight) on Interstate and 85,000 pounds on Non-Interstate highways. 
• There is no overall length requirement for truck tractor semitrailer combinations as long as the trailer does not exceed 57’4”. 
• A combination of vehicles coupled together cannot exceed four units and is limited to 70 feet in length.

Cost: 

• Annual Oversize Permit $250 
• Annual Oversize/Overweight $400 
• Annual Overweight only $400

Time, it takes to receive: 1 business day

Colorado Road Conditions

Construction zones include equipment, workers, and daily changes in the road and alignment. Lower speed limits, flaggers, and police enforcement are used to help keep work zones safe, but motorists still must drive responsibly to keep themselves and our workers safe.

Expect the unexpected - Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people may be working on or near the road.

Slow down - Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes.

Be aware of constructions crews - Keep a safe distance between your vehicle, and the construction workers and their equipment.

Heed signs - Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says you've left the work zone.

Obey flaggers - A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign; you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.

Stay alert and minimize distractions - Dedicate your full attention to the roadway.

Colorado Manufactured Houses and Mobile homes

A modular or manufactured home with an open side(s) is prohibited from travel unless it is fully enclosed with paneling. The paneling shall consist of 0.5 mil plastic sheathing or stronger, backed by a grill work not more than a square 4 feet by 4 feet or if the open side is wrapped in reinforced polyethylene, grill work is not necessary. Any ready-made poly tarps and/or poly tarp rolls are not permissible. 

The overall Width of manufactured home shall be based on the total Width of the manufactured home exclusive of the measurement of the eaves of the manufactured home, provided; 

The base Width of the manufactured housing unit does not exceed 14 feet; and 

The total Width of the eave or eaves does not exceed 2 feet. 

See the rules concerning operation or movement of an Extra-legal Vehicle or Load

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Oversize / Overweight Regulations By State