DENVER—The Colorado House of Representatives has passed a bill that would create stiff penalties for motorists who do not have snow tires, chains or other adequate technology for winter driving on a major east-west stretch of interstate highway in Colorado.
Colorado House Bill 15-1173 passed its second reading with amendments on the House floor Feb. 26. It also passed its third reading, with no amendments, on March 6, according to the website of the Colorado Legislature.
The bill previously had passed the Colorado House Committee on Transportation & Energy Feb. 18 by an 8-5 vote.
House Bill 15-1173 would place stringent restrictions on tires and vehicles traveling on a 126-mile stretch of Interstate 70 between Morrison and Dotsero, Colo., between Nov. 1 and May 15 annually.
During that period, according to the amended bill passed by the House, vehicles traveling on that stretch of I-70 would have to have:
• Tires with the mountain-snowflake symbol and a tread depth of 1/8 inch;
• Tires with the M+S or M/S symbol and a tread depth of 1/8 inch;
• Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and a tread depth of 1/8 inch; or
• Tire chains or an equivalent traction device.
Each violation would carry a $100 plus a $32 surcharge. If a violation closed a lane of traffic, the fine would increase to $500.
There was no immediate word on when the Colorado Senate would take up the legislation. The Colorado General Assembly, including the House and Senate, remains in session until May 6.