Colorado Studded Tire Law
No calendar limit, but read the fine print: Colorado allows metal studs only on single-tired passenger vehicles and other single-tired vehicles rated up to three-quarter ton (C.R.S. 42-4-228). A dual-tired Class-8 rig isn't eligible, so you can't run studs on a loaded truck here in any month. Studs cap at 1/16-inch projection. Colorado's Traction Law separately wants M+S or 3PMSF tires at 3/16-inch tread — and studs are not chains when the commercial chain law is up.
Running studs in Colorado
No calendar limit, but read the fine print: Colorado allows metal studs only on single-tired passenger vehicles and other single-tired vehicles rated up to three-quarter ton (C.R.S. 42-4-228). A dual-tired Class-8 rig isn't eligible, so you can't run studs on a loaded truck here in any month. Studs cap at 1/16-inch projection. Colorado's Traction Law separately wants M+S or 3PMSF tires at 3/16-inch tread — and studs are not chains when the commercial chain law is up.
The window and winter-tire rules
- Season: No seasonal limit (C.R.S. 42-4-228), but studs are allowed only on single-tired vehicles rated up to three-quarter ton — dual-tired trucks are excluded, so a heavy rig can't run studs in any month.
- Truck reality: studs limited to single-tired vehicles up to 3/4-ton rated capacity, 1/16-inch max projection — a dual-tired truck is out. Colorado runs a Passenger Traction Law (M+S or 3PMSF tires with at least 3/16-inch tread, or chains) on I-70 and posted corridors, plus a Commercial Vehicle Chain Law that forces chains on CMVs when active. Studs are not chains and never satisfy a chain-law order — see the Colorado chain-law page.
Colorado Studded Tire FAQ
Are studded tires legal in Colorado?
When can you use studded tires in Colorado?
What is the fine for illegal studded tires in Colorado?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-42-vehicles-and-traffic/co-rev-st-sect-42-4-228/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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