OOIDA Call to Action - Colorado Members
April 10, 2007

A bill that would double the fines and surcharges for chain law violations in the state unanimously passed the Colorado House and is now waiting to be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee. It is extremely important to speak out now against this revenue generating legislation.

HB1229 was amended to require that drivers whose vehicles cause closures in travel lanes be subject to an enhanced penalty that could be as high as $1,000 and a surcharge fee that could go up to $156. An earlier provision that allowed four points to be added to violators' CDLs for blocking a lane or road has been dropped.

The bill would also give the Colorado DOT the authority to contract with companies to provide roadside assistance, selling or applying chains. Of course, the company providing the assistance is to receive a reasonable fee from the driver.

The state has also promised nearly $2.5 million to build and expand chain-up spots.

OOIDA Life Member Paul Howard, of Morrison, CO, agrees that there is a serious safety issue to address. But enhanced penalties and roadside vendors selling chains are not the answer. He points out that the roads are not big enough to accommodate safe chain-up areas and CDOT does not give a time frame on when they will begin construction of new chain-up spots or when these spots will be completed. It could be years.

"The answer is for companies to provide chains to their drivers and train their drivers on when and how to properly chain up. Education and everyone working together to make the roads safer is the answer, not money," Paul said.

HB1229 would greatly increase penalties for truck drivers while not addressing the underlying safety problems associated with the chain law. Please take time now to share your concerns with members of the Senate Transportation Committee. Each member's contact information is listed below.

Sen. Stephanie Takis, Chairwoman
Phone: (303) 866-4855
E-mail: stephanie.takis.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Suzanne Williams, Vice-Chairwoman
Phone: (303) 866-3432
E-mail: suzanne.williams.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Bob Hagedorn
Phone: (303) 866-4879
E-mail: senbob@msn.com

Sen. Jim Isgar
Phone: (303) 866-4884
E-mail: isgarsenate@frontier.net

Sen. Ron May
Phone: (303) 866-2737
E-mail: senatormay@ronmay.org

Sen. Scott Renfroe
Phone: (303) 866-4451
E-mail: scott.renfroe.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Nancy Spence
Phone: (303) 866-4883
E-mail: nancyspence@qwest.net