Colorado Implements New 'Move Over' Law- How Will It Affect I-70?

On Monday, August 7th, a new law impacting Coloradan drivers was enacted. The law, signed by Governor Jared Polis earlier this year, mandates that all drivers must move over or slow down when encountering disabled vehicles on the side of the road.

Previous iterations of the law only applied to emergency responders. Now, on Colorado's roads, drivers must always move over (or slow down to 20 mph if passing isn't possible) if they pass any disabled vehicles with their hazards flashing.

The measure is part of Colorado's goal to eventually reach zero auto deaths on a yearly basis. "With the updated Move Over Law, we are taking a significant stride toward our goal of zero deaths on Colorado roads," said Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, in a recent press release detailing the 'move over' law. "Slowing down for disabled vehicles shows respect for every road user, and together, we can create a safer driving environment for everyone."

According to the press release, violating the law will result in a "Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense, with a possible fine of $150 and a 3-point license violation."

Of course, this begs the question: "What does all this have to do with skiing?"

If you live in Denver, Colorado, you get it. Any law that alters roadway travel will impact skier traffic on the ever-dreaded I-70, a highway that travels from Denver into the Front Range.

To those out of the loop: I-70 acts as a bottleneck for skiers on powder days, known for becoming a gridlock when the snow starts piling up as powder enthusiasts clamber to make it to resorts like Breckenridge, Vail, Keystone, and A-Basin.

Thus, it's safe to assume that the new 'Move Over' law could slow down traffic on I-70 during the winter, particularly when moving over isn't possible, and tricky conditions have created a surplus of disabled passenger vehicles. However, as winter's still a few months out, keep in mind that all we can do at this point is speculate about how the new law will play out.

On the other side of the coin, CDOT is actively making changes to I-70 in the hopes of abating ski traffic. This summer, they broke ground on the Floyd Hill Project, which will add an additional lane of traffic at a key bottleneck between Evergreen and Idaho Springs alongside other improvements like a rebuilt bridge and extended on-ramps. The project will finish in 2028.

Traffic concerns are admittedly a first-world problem, though. Overall, the updated law is a win for roadway safety. I know I wouldn't want to have drivers blowing by me at 60 mph while I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get my car out of a snowy ditch on the side of the road.

Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.