Winters in Colorado bring plenty of adventures, but snow and ice can make the trek dangerous — especially on mountain roads.
“Whether you’re a native, a new resident or a tourist, driving in Colorado winter weather can be dangerous if you’re not prepared,” Colorado Department of Transportation officials said in a statement. “The unexpected can happen when snow and ice are on the road — take extra precautions to prepare you and your vehicle for winter road conditions.”
Speed is one of the main causes of winter crashes
Between Sept. 2024 and May 2025, the Colorado State Patrol responded to 20,913 crashes on Colorado roads, according to data provided by the agency. That includes 198 fatal crashes and 5,806 injury crashes.
The period between September and May is when the state’s chain laws and passenger vehicle traction laws take effect, and it’s common to see snow on Colorado’s mountains and higher-elevation roads.
Crashes during that time were largely caused by speeding, lane violations, animals, distracted driving and following too closely, according to the agency.
“Confidence in the snow doesn’t mean driving recklessly. If you are truly an experienced winter driver, you know to adjust your speed to the conditions at hand,” Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a statement. “Lower your speed, let people around you go the pace they choose to remain in control of their vehicle and give everyone some extra space.”
Speeding during winter weather increases Colorado drivers’ risk of being involved in an injury or fatal crash by roughly 150%, according to the state patrol.
Headed to the mountains for winter fun? Here’s what you need to know.
“There are many precautions a driver can take before traveling through the mountains; however, following Colorado law regarding tire and chain requirements during the wintertime is a must, as well as doing research on road conditions before travel,” Colorado State Patrol spokesperson Hunter Mathews said.
The state’s traction laws take effect annually on Sept. 1 and remain active until May 31, mandating that all vehicles be equipped with adequate tires and equipment when traveling in the state during the winter.
“Whether a tractor-trailer or a four-door sedan, snow and ice conditions impact your drive,” Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, stated. “If carrying chains or checking your tire tread seems like a hassle, imagine the inconvenience of sitting in traffic due to a crash or being rerouted miles out of your way due to highway closures.”
Colorado’s chain law, which requires commercial vehicles to carry chains or alternative traction devices, applies to vehicles with a combined weight of more than 16,000 pounds or transporting at least 16 people on public highways, state patrol officials said. The number of wheels that need to be chained depends on the type of vehicle.
The penalty for non-compliance with winter driving restrictions starts with up to a $500 fine, according to the state patrol. If the non-compliant vehicle gets stuck and blocks traffic, the driver faces a $1,000 penalty.
Smaller passenger vehicles traveling on Interstate 70 between Morrison and Dotsero from September through May must also have one of the following:
- Tire chains for two or more drive tires,
- An approved alternate traction device for two or more drive tires,
- Or tires with a tread depth of at least 3/16-inch that are rated “all weather” or “mud and snow.”
If weather conditions are extreme, state officials may implement the passenger vehicle chain law, which requires all cars to have chains or alternative traction devices on two or more tires, regardless of drive type.
When driving in the mountains, people should reduce their speed, increase their following distance and avoid using cruise control, according to AAA.
“On wet roads, cruise control set at too fast a speed could cause the vehicle to hydroplane when it encounters standing water,” AAA officials said. “On very low-traction surfaces such as ice and snow, cruise control operation can result in a skid or spin.”
Stock and prepare your car before leaving
Traffic sits at a standstill heading eastbound on Interstate 70 in snowy and icy conditions on March 3, 2019, in Silverthorne. Icy roads, heavy snow, single digit temperatures, decreased visibility made for hazardous driving in the mountains.
During winter, the Colorado Department of Transportation recommends drivers keep essential items in their cars at all times in case of an emergency. That includes a sturdy scraper or snow brush, a flashlight with extra batteries, blankets or a sleeping bag, water jugs, a first aid kit and essential medications, tire chains, a tow strap, jumper cables, reflectors and a battery radio.
It’s also good to have an extra set of clothes, including a coat, hat, gloves and boots; hand warmers; nonperishable snacks; and more, according to state transportation officials.
Drivers should keep all car windows clear by using a window scraper to remove ice and turning on the windshield wipers and defrosters, even when traveling short distances, according to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles. Fogging or condensation on the inside of the windshield can quickly be removed by opening a window.
Leaving chunks of snow and ice on car windows and roofs can cause visibility issues, state officials said.
Under Colorado law, a vehicle can only be operated if the driver’s vision through any required glass equipment is normal and unobstructed.
Leaving snow on the car roof can allow it to slide onto the windshield during the drive or send it flying back at other vehicles on the road.
Driving in the snow
“There are three actions you do most when you drive: accelerate, turn and brake,” CDOT officials said in a post about winter driving preparedness. “In winter weather, you should only do one of those actions at a time.”
Attempting to do more than one can cause sliding, spinning or skidding, officials said.
When going downhill, if possible, drivers should switch to a lower gear and gently tap the brakes, according to the agency. This helps avoid burning out the brakes and, especially on snow and ice, helps keep traction.
Similarly, drivers should keep all momentum possible when going uphill to avoid getting stuck, CDOT officials said.
“Winter weather presents a unique set of challenges to truck drivers and other large commercial vehicle operators navigating Colorado’s roadways,” state transportation officials said.
To stay safe when driving near commercial vehicles in winter conditions, CDOT officials said passenger vehicles should:
- Avoid the trucks’ large blind spots, including in front of the cab and behind the trailer;
- Drive defensively, and be aware of their surroundings at all times;
- Give the trucks plenty of space on all sides — it takes the larger vehicles more time to accelerate and slow down, especially on steep grades. Chains on the commercial vehicles’ tires can also kick up snow and other debris;
And pass safely on the left side, without lingering in the blind spot.
Drivers should be extra careful when approaching or passing snow removal equipment with flashing yellow lights, according to the Colorado DMV.
“It is illegal to pass a city, county or state-operated snow plow while it’s working with its yellow lights flashing and is driving in tandem with one or more other snow plows,” Colorado DMV officials said.
What to do in a skid
There are three types of skids: front-wheel, rear-wheel and all-wheel.
In a rear-wheel skid, the back of the car starts to sway left to right like a fishtail, according to roadside assistance company AMA. A front-wheel skid is when a car’s front end continues moving in a straight line regardless of how much the driver turns the steering wheel, and an all-wheel skid happens when the entire car starts sliding in the wrong direction.
When the car starts to skid, Colorado DMV officials said drivers with anti-lock brakes should take their foot off both the brake and the accelerator pedal, loosely hold the wheel and look where they want to go.
Drivers without anti-lock brakes should use threshold braking when skidding or in slippery conditions, DMV officials said. That means applying brake pressure to a point just short of locking up the brakes.
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