Colorado Truck Weight Limits
Colorado's non-overweight ceiling is 85,000 pounds on state highways and 80,000 on the Interstate (CRS 42-4-507, 42-4-508). Longer combination vehicles run up to 110,000 pounds on designated segments by permit. Overweight fines scale with the overage, from about 3 cents a pound at 3,000 over to 25 cents a pound past 19,750 over, and they double when you break a permit's weight limit (CRS 42-4-509, 42-4-510).
How much a truck can weigh in Colorado
Colorado's non-overweight ceiling is 85,000 pounds on state highways and 80,000 on the Interstate (CRS 42-4-507, 42-4-508). Longer combination vehicles run up to 110,000 pounds on designated segments by permit. Overweight fines scale with the overage, from about 3 cents a pound at 3,000 over to 25 cents a pound past 19,750 over, and they double when you break a permit's weight limit (CRS 42-4-509, 42-4-510).
Axles, off-Interstate, and permits
- Off the Interstate: 85,000 lb (state non-overweight limit); longer combination vehicles up to 110,000 lb on designated segments by permit
- Single axle: 20,000 lb
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb on the Interstate; up to 36,000 lb on state highways
- With a permit: 110,000 lb for longer combination vehicles on designated Interstate/state segments (least of formula W=800(L+40) or the federal bridge formula); non-divisible superloads higher case-by-case
- Colorado adds 1,000 lb of allowable GVW for alternative-fuel trucks. The exact per-pound rates and surcharge amounts reflect the CRS 42-4-509 schedule; treat the surcharge dollar figures as approximate and confirm current amounts with Colorado State Patrol. State-highway tandem up to 36,000 lb is medium confidence.
Posted bridge and road limits
CDOT and local governments post bridges and roads with MUTCD 'WEIGHT LIMIT X TONS' signs; tons are 2,000-pound short tons. The posted limit overrides your legal or permit weight, so a legal load still cannot cross a lower-posted bridge and must detour. Crossing an overweight-posted bridge is a separate offense from a highway-overweight ticket and can leave the carrier liable for damage.
What running heavy costs
Graduated, rising with the overage (CRS 42-4-509). Roughly $20 for 1-1,000 over and $25 for 1,001-3,000, then a per-pound scale: about $0.03/lb at 3,001-5,000, $0.05/lb at 5,001-7,000, $0.07/lb at 7,001-10,000, $0.10/lb at 10,001-15,000, $0.15/lb at 15,001-19,750, and $0.25/lb above that, plus a state surcharge. Fines double for weight over a permit's authorized limit, and you pay $1 per pound over a permitted gross weight.
Colorado Truck Weight Limit FAQ
What is the truck weight limit in Colorado?
How much can a truck weigh with a permit in Colorado?
What is the overweight fine 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-42-4-509/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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