Colorado OSOW Regulations (CDOT)

Legal Dimensions (No Permit Required)

• Width: 8'6"
• Height: 14'6"
• Length: Varies by vehicle type

Legal Weights (No Permit Required)

Interstate System

• Gross vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs
• Single axle: 20,000 lbs maximum
• Tandem axle: 36,000 lbs maximum

Non-Interstate State Highways

• Gross vehicle weight: 85,000 lbs
• Single axle: 20,000 lbs maximum
• Tandem axle: 40,000 lbs maximum

Maximum Permitted Dimensions

Standard Permits

• Width: 17' maximum (over 17' requires Super Load designation)
• Height: 16' maximum
• Length - Four-lane highways: 130' maximum
• Length - Non-mountainous two-lane: 120' maximum
• Length - Mountainous two-lane: 110' maximum
• Overhang: Front 25', Rear 30'
• Weight: 200,000 lbs maximum

Super Loads

• Definition: Exceeds 17' wide OR 200,000 lbs GVW
• Special requirements apply

Permit Types and Costs

Single Trip Permits

• Base fee: $15.00
• Overweight surcharge: $5.00 per axle (if overweight)
• Senate Bill 09-108 surcharge: Equal to the permit fee amount

Example calculation:

• Six-axle semi-truck/trailer over 80,000 lbs: $15 base + ($5 × 6 axles) = $45.00
• Plus surcharge equal to permit fee

Processing time: 2-hour turnaround for Single Trip permits

Annual Permits

• Annual Oversize: $250
• Annual Overweight: $400
• Annual Oversize & Overweight: $400

Special Single-Trip Permits (Chapter 6 - Superloads)

• Cost: $250

Company Fleet Permits

• First 10 vehicles: $3,000
• Each additional vehicle over 10: $300 per vehicle

Permit System: COOPR (Colorado Oversize/Overweight Permitting and Routing) - https://coopr.codot.gov/

Escort Vehicle Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Over Width

Two-lane highways:

• Over 13' wide: 1 escort required
• Over 15' wide: 2 escort pilot cars OR 1 front escort pilot car and flashing yellow light in rear

Interstate (four-lane):

• Over 15' wide: 1 rear escort OR one flashing yellow light in rear

Over Height

• Over 16' high: Front escort with height pole required
• Over 17' high: Licensed signal contractor required at all intersections controlled by overhead traffic signals

Over Length

Mountainous two-lane highways:

• Over 85' long: Pilot escort in front required

Non-mountainous two-lane highways:

• Over 110' long: Pilot escort in front required

Four-lane highways:

• Over 115' long: Pilot escort in rear required

Overhang

• Over 25' overhang: 1 escort pilot car required

Escort Vehicle Specifications

Vehicle Requirements

• Passenger vehicle or two-axle truck (no trailers allowed)
• Gross vehicle weight less than 16,000 lbs
• Minimum 60 inches wide
• Properly registered and licensed

Certification Requirements

• Driver must obtain and maintain Pilot Escort certification
• Required to escort extra-legal vehicles/loads on State Highways
• Note: Colorado requires P/EVO certification

Escort Vehicle Equipment Requirements

Signs

• "WIDE LOAD" warning sign
• Roof-mounted or front/rear mounted

Lighting

• Rotating or flashing amber light
• Visible at 500 feet minimum

Communications

• CB radio recommended for vehicle-to-vehicle communications

Company Identification

• Company name, location, and phone number displayed

Operating Times

Standard Hours

• Daylight only: Sunrise to sunset for most loads

Width-Based Night Travel

• Up to 12' wide: Night travel allowed with proper lighting
• 12' to 14' wide: Night travel allowed with:
  • One pilot vehicle in front (two-lane highways)
  • One pilot vehicle in rear (four-lane highways)
• Over 14' wide: Prohibited from travel during hours of darkness

Penalties and Fines

Violating Weight Provisions

Criminal Classification:

• Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense for violating wheel and axle loads or gross weight provisions

Surcharge:

• 16% surcharge added to base fine (in addition to fine amount)

Repeat Violations:

• Doubled penalties for second or subsequent violations within a 12-month timeframe

New 2025 Legislation (Effective August 6, 2025)

Exceeding Permitted Weight:

• Penalty: $1.00 per pound in excess of the gross weight authorized by the permit

Note: Effective date is August 6, 2025, if the General Assembly adjourns sine die on May 7, 2025

Official Authority

• Colorado General Assembly Size and Weight Limitations statutes
• Senate Bill 24-220 (Overweight & Oversize Motor Vehicle Permits)

Contact Information

• Website: https://freight.colorado.gov/
• State: Colorado
• Agency: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

Regulatory References

• Colorado Department of Transportation Freight and Permitting Division
• https://freight.colorado.gov/route-planning/rules-regulations
• https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/oversize-and-overweight-movements-colorado

Last Updated: 2025-11-11