Vail passes $2,650 fine for unchained truckers that spin out on I-70

Source: The city of Vail

Vail, Colorado — The city of Vail has officially passed a new ordinance that will fine truck drivers $2,650 if they spin out and block Interstate 70 without chains during chain law periods.

Vail’s city council voted on the measure Tuesday, March 18th. The ordinance also introduces a $1,500 fine for passenger vehicles driving without chains during chain law enforcement periods. The effective date of the new rule has not yet been announced.

City officials estimate that 60% of truck drivers are not chaining up even when chain laws are in effect. “People are going to complain about this,” said one council member. “But my response is: ‘If you don’t like the fine, don’t break the law.’”

Earlier in January, a $20,000 fine was proposed for truckers who crash without chains, but the city settled on the $2,650 maximum permitted under Colorado state law.

In a letter sent last month to Governor Jared Polis, the Vail Town Council highlighted that 2024 has already seen 99 full closures along I-70, totaling 161 hours of shutdown and an estimated $300 million in economic losses. Colorado has since increased its chain law enforcement efforts along the crucial mountain corridor.