IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. — For residents and business owners along the I-70 Mountain Corridor, winter traffic disruptions have long been an unfortunate part of life. But a new piece of legislation could soon bring relief to communities frequently paralyzed by snow-related crashes and traffic overflow.
Senate Bill 25-069, currently making its way through the Colorado legislature, proposes that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) be granted the authority to issue permits to third-party roadside vendors. These vendors would be allowed to sell, install, and remove tire chains for drivers along I-70 during the snow season, providing a quick and accessible solution for motorists who find themselves unprepared for sudden weather changes.
“It costs the state millions of dollars for every hour that I-70 is shut down,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, a Democrat and one of the bill’s sponsors. “This bill is about increasing safety and reducing closures.”
The bill follows in the footsteps of similar legislation in other mountainous states such as Washington, California, and Oregon. Colorado already mandates that commercial vehicles carry tire chains from September 1 through May 31. However, compliance remains an issue. Earlier this spring, the Colorado State Patrol began weekly enforcement operations, checking commercial vehicles for proper chain equipment. In one week alone, 91 vehicles were inspected, and five citations were issued.
Local business owners like Kent Slaymaker, who runs Slaymaker Cellars in Idaho Springs, say the ripple effects of I-70 closures are deeply felt. His meadery, which relies on tourist foot traffic, often sees sales drop when highway shutdowns funnel traffic into the town’s narrow surface streets.
“When the traffic floods over into the regular surface streets, it shuts down the town,” Slaymaker said. “It’s definitely noticeable on our sales, but it’s something that happens. It’s something that we’re used to.”
Clear Creek County, which includes Idaho Springs, is among the communities most affected. With just over 9,000 residents, the county sees as many as 35,000 vehicles pass through daily on I-70. County leaders say they lack the resources to adequately manage the influx and respond to emergencies caused by winter weather and unprepared drivers.
“We don’t have the resources to police it, to take care of everything we need,” said County Commissioner Rebecca Lloyd, who, along with her colleagues, urged Governor Jared Polis earlier this year to provide more state support. “We’ll greatly appreciate it if this bill can pass.”
Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, also a Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said the measure provides a critical “safety net” for commercial drivers, allowing them to quickly obtain and install chains in hazardous conditions without creating further backups.
The bill has already cleared the Finance Committee and is now headed to the Appropriations Committee. Lawmakers and local leaders alike hope the legislation will be passed and in effect before the next winter season arrives.
For business owners and residents along the corridor, the bill offers a glimmer of hope in the face of a long-standing challenge.
“It would be great to reduce [the traffic],” said Slaymaker. “Anything that helps would be welcomed.”
