SB 25-069

Senate Bill 25-069, also known as the Tire Chain Traction Control Device Permit Act, creates a new permit system in Colorado that allows authorized individuals to install or remove tire chains and other traction devices on vehicles at specific locations for a fee. This bill ensures safety by requiring these individuals to wear reflective clothing and use proper traffic control measures while working. The Department of Transportation will manage the permitting process and can set fees to cover administrative costs, aiming to prevent any single entity from monopolizing permit issuance at particular sites. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now in effect, meaning that rental car companies must inform their customers about the rules and penalties related to using tire chains or alternative traction devices during winter weather conditions.

Official Summary

The act creates a permit that is issued by the department of transportation (department). The permit authorizes the holder to, for a fee, install or remove tire chains or alternate traction devices at a location designated in the permit. The department may place conditions on the permit concerning the safe and orderly movement of traffic. The department is instructed to avoid issuing permits in a manner that creates a monopoly-type situation for a permit holder at a specific location. The department may charge a fee to issue a permit to an applicant. The fee must be set in an amount to offset the direct and indirect costs of issuing these permits. The department will adopt rules to implement the act. The rules must include: The procedures for issuing a permit, the procedures for revoking a permit, and the qualifications to be issued a permit; and A requirement that the individuals installing tire chains or alternate traction devices wear reflective clothing and use appropriate signs and traffic control devices. A rental car company is required to notify its car renters of the requirements of and penalties for violating the chain law. Colorado law already authorizes the department to close roads during winter weather conditions unless a motor vehicle meets traction equipment requirements. The act also authorizes a 4-wheel-drive vehicle with tires that are imprinted by a manufacturer with a mountain-snowflake, "M&S", "M+S", or "M/S" symbol or that are all-weather rated by the manufacturer to travel on roads that the department restricts for winter weather conditions. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes