The following information about Colorado Oversize Load Permits is for informational purposes only. It’s important to always read your permits and provisions sheets carefully as we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact the following number.

Colorado DOT Ph# 303-757-9539

Colorado Oversize Load Permits Duration

Colorado oversize load permits are valid for five days.

Operating Time

Travel is permitted from sunrise to sunset. Night travel is allowed for loads up to 12′ wide, provided proper lighting is used (refer to Signs, Flags, & Lights section). Loads over 12′ wide but not exceeding 14′ wide require an escort for night travel.

Restricted Travel in Colorado

Curfew times are specified in the accompanying oversize permit addendum. For Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70, the maximum overall height allowed is 13′-11″. Higher loads should use US6 to bypass the tunnel. Loads over 11′ wide must pull over and call for clearance to pass through the tunnel; however, wider loads can use it. Travel into or out of Denver necessitates a city permit for city streets, but Denver’s permit processing is slow (averaging 2-3 days).

Legal Dimensions for Colorado Oversize Load Permits

Length:

57′-4″ trailer & load legal on interstate or designated highways.

Overhang:

  • 4′ front
  • 10′ rear
  • Over 4′ rear needs lighting for night running (see Signs, Flags, & Lights, below)

Width:

8′-6″

Height:

  • 14′-6″ designated highways
  • 13′ non-designated

Weight:

  • 80,000 Gross on Interstate
  • 85,000 on non-Interstate
  • Steer – 20,000
  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 36,000
  • Tridem – 54,000
Get Permit Now

Call (832) 454-5883 For Permit Consultation

Routine Permit Limits at Colorado

Length:

130′ (four-lane highways).

Width:

17′

Height:

16′

  • Over 14′-6″ requires a survey

Weight:

  • Single – 22,000-27,000
  • Tandem – 42,000-50,000
  • Tridem – 55,000-65,000
  • Quad – 60,000-72,000

Maximum permitted weights depend on route classification and axle spacings.

Loads exceeding 17′ wide or 200,000 GVW are Super Loads and require 6-10 days for approval.

Colorado Oversize Permits image

Escort Requirements for Colorado  Oversize Load Permits

Length:

  • Over 85′ on some portions of two and four-lane highways – one escort
  • Over 110′ on two-lane or over 115′ on four or more lanes – one escort

Overhang:

Over 25′ – one escort.

Width:

Interstate over 13′ – one rear escort or one flashing yellow light in rear.

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

Two-lane highways:

Width:

  • over 13′ – one escort or one flashing yellow light in rear.
  • over 15′ – two escorts
  • or 1 front escort and flashing yellow light in rear.

Four-lane highways:

Width:

  • over 13′ – one rear escort or one flashing yellow light in rear
  • over 15′ – two escorts, or front escort and flashing yellow light in rear

Height:

  • Over 16′ – one escort with 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.

Miscellaneous

The dozer blade can be detached and transported on the same trailer as the dozer, whether or not the load would exceed weight limits with or without the blade. Colorado Chain Law: Commercial vehicle truck-tractors on I-70 between Dotsero (milepost 133) and Morrison (milepost 259) from September 1st to May 31st must carry chains to comply with the Colorado chain law, and non-compliance may result in fines. A permit is now issued for overweight divisible loads on tractor/trailers with tandem, tridem, or quad trailers.

Signs, Flags & Lights for Colorado Oversize Load Permits

Oversize Load” signs are mandatory at the front and rear for all oversize loads but should not be used for overweight-only loads. Flags must be at all four corners of wide and overlength loads and at the end of load projections exceeding 4 feet.

For night travel of wide loads, a front-mounted flashing yellow light and two or three lights at the extreme rear are required. Overlength loads or those with rear overhang (over 10′) may travel at night with a flashing yellow light at the front and one to three cluster lights on the overhang (red for rear, yellow for front). Legal overhang (10′ rear or less) but exceeding 4′ requires a red light or lantern visible for 500 feet at the end of the load projection.