Colorado commercial vehicle weight limits follow the federal Interstate standard of 80,000 lbs gross, 20,000 lbs per single axle, and 34,000 lbs per tandem axle group. The federal bridge formula (23 U.S.C. 127) applies on all routes. Colorado imposes seasonal weight restrictions on secondary mountain roads during spring thaw, typically March through May. Restrictions protect pavement from freeze-thaw damage. Chain requirements on I-70 mountain corridor are in effect October through May. Check CDOT for current restricted routes and chain law status before routing. Oversize and overweight permits are available from CO DOT for loads exceeding standard limits. Verify current road-specific postings with the Colorado DOT before routing heavy loads.
Colorado imposes seasonal weight restrictions on secondary mountain roads during spring thaw, typically March through May. Restrictions protect pavement from freeze-thaw damage. Chain requirements on I-70 mountain corridor are in effect October through May. Check CDOT for current restricted routes and chain law status before routing.
Check current restrictions at CO DOT →The federal bridge formula limits the weight on any group of axles based on the distance between the outermost axles in the group. It applies in Colorado on all routes where federal standards apply.
W = maximum weight in lbs · L = axle spacing in feet · N = number of axles
CDOT issues oversize/overweight permits for loads exceeding standard limits. Apply through the CDOT Kpermit online system. Single-trip permits for one-time movements. Annual permits for qualifying repetitive operations. Superload permits for extreme weights require engineering review and pre-approved routing. Mountain corridor loads (Glenwood Canyon, I-70 passes) require careful routing review — some heavy loads may need to use alternate routes. HazMat restrictions in Eisenhower Tunnel apply year-round.
Apply for Colorado OS/OW Permit →On Colorado Interstate highways, the maximum gross vehicle weight is 80,000 lbs — matching the federal standard. Colorado state routes and mountain roads may have lower posted limits. Overweight permits from CDOT are required for loads exceeding standard limits. CDOT's online KPERMIT system handles most permit applications.
Yes. Colorado imposes seasonal weight restrictions on secondary mountain roads during spring thaw, typically March through May. These restrictions protect road surfaces from freeze-thaw pavement damage. Interstate highways are generally not subject to spring restrictions. Check CDOT's website for currently restricted routes before routing heavy loads on state routes and county roads in mountain areas.
Yes. Glenwood Canyon (I-70 mileposts 116–129) has specific vehicle restrictions: triple trailers are prohibited, length limits are enforced, and the canyon is subject to closure for rockfalls, floods, and mudslides. The canyon's narrow roadway and steep walls limit options for heavy haulers. Plan alternate routes (US-6 or US-40 via Berthoud Pass) for loads that may not fit canyon restrictions or during closures.
No. The Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel (I-70 near Dillon) prohibits certain hazardous materials loads from using the tunnel. HazMat carriers carrying restricted materials must use the alternate routing through US-40 (Berthoud Pass) or US-6. Check current CDOT HazMat tunnel restriction tables before routing any HazMat load through the I-70 mountain corridor.
CDOT issues oversize/overweight permits through the KPERMIT online system at codot.gov. Single-trip permits for one-time movements are available online. Annual permits are available for qualifying operations. Superload permits for extreme weights require engineering review and pre-approved routing. Mountain corridor routes require additional review for bridge and roadway constraints.
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The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Colorado CO Department of TransportationLast reviewed: 2026-04