Colorado’s Interstate 70 is legendary for its views, winding hills, and immense traffic on a ski weekend. If you’re planning to head into the mountains along the highway, there’s quite a few guidelines you should understand beyond the most obvious traffic rules. Here are 5 major mistakes you can make while driving on Colorado mountain highways.
1. Skip checking road and weather conditions
Colorado mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. Not checking CDOT’s road conditions (cotrip.org) before heading out can leave you stranded in a blizzard or facing a road closure with no alternate route planned.
2. Drive without proper tires or chains
Many Colorado mountain roads have traction laws during winter (all-wheel/4-wheel drive or chains). Heading up I-70 toward the Eisenhower Tunnel or over Vail Pass on bald all-season tires is a recipe for spinning out and causing a multi-car pileup and can lead to major fines. Make sure your vehicle follows all vehicle traction laws.
3. Ride your brakes on steep descents
On long downhill grades like Floyd Hill or the west side of Vail Pass, continuously riding your brakes overheats them and causes brake fade, meaning you lose stopping power entirely. The correct technique is to downshift and use engine braking, tapping brakes only as needed.
4. Pulling into the shoulder or a runaway truck ramp for a break
There are a lot of stunning views along Colorado’s highways and you might be tempted to pull over to take pictures or use the bathroom whenever you want, but shoulders are narrow and speeds are high. Use dedicated pull outs, not the shoulder and definitely not runaway truck ramps, to take pictures and use bathroom.
5. Camping in the left lane
Believe it or not, Colorado State Patrol will pull you over if they see you hanging out in the left lane without actively passing another vehicle. At roads with a speed limit of 65mph or higher, the left lane is a passing lane only. Keep right, pass left. Failing to do so is one of the leading causes of road rage and can lead to a ticket.
