Colorado

Selectto see our complete guide of restrictions and regulations for each state

Colorado Oversize Permits Information

Permits

Colorado Oversize Permits are valid for 5 days.

Operating Time

Sunrise to Sunset. Overweight-only vehicles, not in excess of 110,000 pounds GVW are granted continuous travel. Up to 12′ wide, night travel is allowed with proper lighting, see “signs and lights” below. Over 12′ wide but not over 14′ wide requires an escort for night running.

Restrictions

Curfew times are shown on the addendum that accompanies a permit. Travel is prohibited during peak hours of 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70: maximum overall height allowed is 13’11”. Higher loads use US6 to bypass the tunnel. Over 11′ wide permitted loads must pull over and call to get clearance to pass through the tunnel. Loads into or out of Denver require a city permit for city streets.

No oversize movement is EVER allowed where the “Chain Law” is in effect. Overweight ONLY are allowed to chain up and proceed as conditions allow. Chain Law is generally in effect from September 1st through May 31st on I-70 from M.M 133-M.M 259.

Speed Limit

Interstate 65 mph. Non-interstate 55 mph. Speed limit might be listed on the permit. Both of OS or OW loaded trucks must slow down in settlements and on the bridges. Following speed signs on the road.

Legal Dimensions

The vehicle must have the following characteristics:

Width: 8’6″
Height: 14′ 6″ designated highways, 13′ non-designated.
Length: 57’4″ trailer and load legal on the interstate or designated highways.
Overhang: 4′ front, 10′ rear. Over 4′ rear needs lighting for night running
Weight: 80,000 Gross on Interstate; 85,000 on non-Interstate; Steer – 20,000; Single – 20,000; Tandem – 36,000; Tridem – 54,000

Routine Colorado Oversize Permit Limits

Width: 17′
Height: 16’ over 14’6” requires a survey
Length: 130′ (4-lane highways).
Overhang: 25′ front, 35′ rear.
Weight: Single – 22,000-27,000; Tandem – 42,000-50,000; Tridem – 55,000-65,000; Quad– up to 72,000 max.

The maximum permitted weights depend on route classification and axle spacing.

Loads exceeding 17′ wide or 200,000 GVW are Super Loads.

Get Your Permit Today

Call: 224-998-3880

Escorts

Length: Over 85′ on some portions of 2 and 4-lane highways – 1 escort pilot car, over 110′ on 2-lane or over 115′ on 4 or more lanes – 1 escort pilot car
Overhang: Over 25′ – 1 escort pilot car.
Width: Interstate over 15′ – 1 rear escort or one flashing yellow light in the rear.

The following requirements apply to most routes (“Green Routes”); some smaller routes may require more:

Two-lane highways: Width: over 13′ – 1 escort, over 15′ – 2 escort pilot cars or 1 front escort pilot car and flashing yellow light in rear.
Four-lane highways:

Width: over 13′ – 1 rear escort pilot car or one flashing yellow light in the rear, over 15′ – 2-escort pilot cars, or front escort pilot car and flashing yellow light in the rear
Height: Over 16′ – 1 escort pilot car with a high pole, over 17’6″ – route survey and utility clearance letters also required

*Note: All pilot car vehicles must be over 60″ wide for CO.

Security Measures

“Oversize Load” signs are required front and rear for all oversize loads. They are not required and should not be used for overweight ONLY loads. Flags are required at all four corners of any extremities for wide and over length loads, and at the end of load projections greater than 4 feet. For night travel of wide loads < 12′, a flashing yellow light mounted on the front of the vehicle and two or three mounted to the extreme rear are required. Over-length or with rear overhang (over 10′) may run at night with a flashing yellow light mounted to the front of the vehicle and from one to three cluster lights mounted to overhang (red for rear overhang, yellow for front overhang). For night travel with legal overhang (10′ rear or less) but greater than 4′ rear, a red light or lantern plainly visible for 500 feet is required at the end of load projection.