State leaders in Colorado are emphasizing new safety measures for winter travel on the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), State Senator Dylan Roberts, and the Colorado State Patrol have announced a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) left-lane restriction now enforced along high-risk segments of I-70, including Georgetown Hill, Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels, Vail Pass, and Glenwood Canyon. New lane markings and signage are in place to inform drivers that heavy trucks must remain in the right lane unless actively passing.
CDOT’s winter plan this year includes nearly full maintenance staffing across the state, an upgraded fleet of snowplows, improved de-icing technology, and surge deployments tailored for I-70. Crews operate continuously during storms to keep roads clear and respond quickly to emergencies.
The left-lane restriction aims to reduce major incidents caused by heavy vehicles traveling in the left lane on steep grades. These situations can lead to sudden speed differences resulting in spinouts or crashes and cause congestion. Keeping trucks in the right lane helps prevent secondary accidents and allows snowplows more space to operate safely—especially when multiple lanes need clearing at once.
“Every minute matters during a winter storm,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “When a semi blocks the left lane on Vail Pass or the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels approach, it can shut down travel for hours. This restriction helps prevent those closures and gives our crews the room they need to keep the corridor open.”
State Senator Dylan Roberts added: “My constituents along the I-70 corridor and I are thrilled to see these left lane restrictions and prominent warnings go into effect. We worked hard, in a bipartisan manner, to pass SB24-100 which put in place these left lane rules, among other measures, which will cut down on unnecessary crashes, spin-outs, and delays for I-70 travelers. This is good, common-sense action by CDOT that will keep people safe and keep our roads open.”
The Colorado State Patrol is enforcing these restrictions at several points along I-70—including Floyd Hill—and conducts regular patrols especially during storms or peak periods. Truck drivers violating this law may face fines or points against their licenses.
“This law, coupled with the expanded chain law, is intended to reduce or prevent traffic delays, closures and devastating crashes,” said Lt. Colonel Joshua Downing of the Colorado State Patrol. “Professional drivers hold responsibility, just like every other driver, to be prepared and courteous when traveling in winter conditions. Together we can keep I-70 moving safely.”
This CMV restriction also supports CDOT’s de-icing efforts by keeping traffic predictable so anti-icing materials work most effectively. By directing commercial vehicles into lanes receiving frequent plowing and treatment—marked accordingly—officials hope to minimize jackknifes or stalls that could shut down critical stretches of highway.
Crews have added road markings indicating where commercial motor vehicles are restricted from using certain lanes.
