6/5/07-Gov. Bill Ritter has signed a bill into law boosting fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up during bad weather. In return, the state will allot nearly $2.5 million to build and expand new Interstate 70 chain-up spots.
Until now, Colorado law has called for truckers to be fined $100 for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway, the fine jumps to $500. Drivers don’t have points added to their commercial driver’s license for the offense.
The new law, previously HB1229, increases the base fine to $500. The fine would double to $1,000 if trucks not in compliance block traffic. The higher fines go into effect in August.
The bill also allows vendors to rent or sell chains on both sides of the Eisenhower Tunnel.

6/5/07-Gov. Bill Ritter has signed a bill into law boosting fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up during bad weather. In return, the state will allot nearly $2.5 million to build and expand new Interstate 70 chain-up spots.
Until now, Colorado law has called for truckers to be fined $100 for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway, the fine jumps to $500. Drivers don’t have points added to their commercial driver’s license for the offense.
The new law, previously HB1229, increases the base fine to $500. The fine would double to $1,000 if trucks not in compliance block traffic. The higher fines go into effect in August.
The bill also allows vendors to rent or sell chains on both sides of the Eisenhower Tunnel.

4/27/07-The Senate voted 33-1 to approve a bill that would boost fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up during bad weather.
Existing Colorado law fines truckers $100 for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway, the fine jumps to $500. Drivers don’t have points added to their commercial driver’s license for the offense.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, HB1229 would increase the base fine to $500. The fine would double to $1,000 if trucks not in compliance block traffic.
A provision added to the bill also would allow vendors to rent or sell chains on both sides of the Eisenhower Tunnel.
The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Ritter’s desk. The House already approved it.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

4/23/07-The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill that would boost fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up during bad weather.
Existing Colorado law fines truckers $100 for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway, the fine jumps to $500. Drivers don’t have points added to their commercial driver’s license for the offense.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, HB1229 would increase the base fine to $500. The fine would double to $1,000 if trucks not in compliance block traffic.
A provision added to the bill also would allow vendors to rent or sell chains on both sides of the Eisenhower Tunnel.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for further consideration. If approved there, it would head to Gov. Bill Ritter’s desk. The House already approved it.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

4/5/07-A bill in the Senate Transportation Committee would boost fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up during bad weather. The House already approved it.
Existing Colorado law fines truckers $100 for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway the fine jumps to $500. Drivers don't have points added to their commercial driver's license for the offense.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, HB1229 would increase the base fine to $500. The fine would double to $1,000 if trucks not in compliance block traffic.
A provision added to the bill also would allow vendors to rent or sell chains on both sides of the Eisenhower Tunnel.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

4/3/07-The Colorado House voted 56-9 to approve a revised effort that would boost fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up during bad weather. It's been forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.
Existing Colorado law fines truckers $100 for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway the fine jumps to $500. Drivers don't have points added to their commercial driver's license for the offense.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, HB1229 would increase the base fine to $500. The fine would double to $1,000 if trucks not in compliance block traffic.
A provision added to the bill also would allow vendors to rent or sell chains on both sides of the Eisenhower Tunnel.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee in the Senate.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

3/21/07-The House Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill that would boost fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up during bad weather.
Existing Colorado law fines truckers $100 for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway the fine jumps to $500. Drivers don't have pointes added to their commercial driver's license for the offense.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, HB1229 would increase the base fine to $500. The fine would double to $1,000 if trucks not in compliance block traffic.
Revenue generated would be earmarked for the state's Highway Users Tax Fund for future safety projects.
A provision added to the bill also would allow vendors to rent or sell chains on both sides of the Eisenhower Tunnel.
The bill has been forwarded to the House Appropriations Committee.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

3/13/07-Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, said he will renew his effort to boost fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up during bad weather. Lawmakers cited a lack of safe places for truckers to pull over as one reason for not advancing the previous effort.
Existing Colorado law fines truckers $100 for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway the fine jumps to $500. Drivers don't have pointes added to their commercial driver's license for the offense.
Gibbs said he plans to reintroduce the chain law bill Thursday, March 15. It would increase the base fine to $500. The fine would double to $1,000 if trucks not in compliance cause a blocked highway.
Gibbs' previous attempt was sidelined last month in the House Transportation and Energy Committee. Among the concerns cited by lawmakers was that the bill proposed to add four points onto violators commercial driver's licenses if they blocked traffic.
He is expected to add a provision that would allow vendors to rent or sell chains on both sides of the Eisenhower Tunnel.

2/22/07-The House Transportation and Energy Committee voted 7-6 against moving forward a bill to boost the fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up when required has been sidelined. Lawmakers cited a lack of safe places to pull over and prepare during storms.
Existing Colorado law fines truckers $100, plus $13 in surcharges, for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway the fine jumps to $500, plus $61 in surcharges. Drivers don't have pointes added to their commercial driver's license for the offense.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, HB1229 would increase the base fine of $100 to $500. Four points also would be tacked onto violators' CDLs.
While the committee voted not to advance the bill it is not dead. On a separate vote, lawmakers stopped short of out right killing the bill, which means there's an outside chance it could be brought back before the session ends in May.

2/6/07-A bill in the House Transportation & Energy Committee would boost the fines for truck drivers who fail to chain up when required. Points also would be added to violators' licenses.
Existing Colorado law fines truckers $100, plus $13 in surcharges, for failure to put on snow chains. If an unchained truck results in a blocked highway the fine jumps to $500, plus $61 in surcharges. Drivers don't have pointes added to their commercial driver's license for the offense.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, HB1229 would increase the base fine of $100 to $500. Four points also would be tacked onto violators' CDLs.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.