Colorado Truck Dispatch: Denver, I-70 and the Chain Law
Colorado truck dispatch is Denver and the Front Range, where most freight stays in state, with mountain routes and a chain law that requires trucks to carry chains September to May. We book Colorado loads remotely for 6% or 8%.
Figures and rules checked October 30, 2026
Colorado trucking is shaped by the mountains. Denver and the Front Range cities along I-25 hold most of the people and most of the freight, and getting west from them means I-70 over the Continental Divide, one of the toughest truck routes in the country. East of Denver, the plains are flat farm and cattle country that ships grain and beef.
Most of Colorado's truck freight stays in Colorado. In the federal Freight Analysis Framework (FAF6, base year 2022), 81% of the tons trucked from Colorado origins were delivered inside the state. About 32 million tons arrived by truck from other states and about 28 million left, so outbound loads take some planning.
The chain law, before anything else
Colorado's chain rules for trucks are strict and enforced. According to the Colorado State Patrol, commercial vehicles must carry chains from September 1 to May 31 on I-70 west of Morrison and on several other mountain highways, and when the chain law is activated on a road, trucks must put them on. The I-70 mountain corridor between Dotsero and Morrison is where it's activated most, but other mountain passes have their own controls.
- Carry chains all season, sized for your drive tires.
- Know the chain-up areas on I-70 and use them. Fines for not chaining when required are steep, and much steeper if your truck blocks the highway.
- Plan for closures. I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel and over Vail Pass can close for hours in storms. Build time into winter appointments.
If you'd rather avoid I-70 in winter, a dispatcher can route Colorado freight north on I-25 and I-80 through Wyoming, which has its own winter closures, or keep you on the Front Range and plains.
Colorado's freight regions
| Region | What it ships | Roads |
|---|---|---|
| Denver metro | Distribution, food and beverage, building materials, manufacturing | I-25, I-70, I-76, E-470 |
| Northern Front Range (Greeley, Fort Collins) | Beef, dairy, food processing and energy | I-25, US-85, US-34 |
| Colorado Springs and Pueblo | Steel, manufacturing and distribution | I-25 |
| Eastern plains | Wheat, corn, cattle and feed | I-70, I-76, US-287 |
| Western Slope (Grand Junction) | Fruit, energy and building materials | I-70 |
The biggest van, reefer and flatbed-type freight leaving Colorado origins by truck in 2022, from FAF6:
- Nonmetal mineral products: about 19 million tons
- Cereal grains: about 14 million tons
- Other foodstuffs: about 11 million tons
- Animal feed: about 6 million tons
- Mixed freight: about 5 million tons
Lanes and reloads
- I-25 is Colorado's main street, from Wyoming through Denver and Colorado Springs to New Mexico.
- I-70 east to Kansas City is flat and fast. I-70 west to Utah is the mountain route.
- I-76 heads northeast toward Nebraska and I-80.
- Denver is the reload market. Freight out of Colorado's smaller cities is thin. Delivering to the Western Slope or the plains usually means a run back to Denver.
By FAF6 tonnage, Colorado's top truck destinations are Wyoming, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico and Kansas. Many loads into Colorado come from Texas, Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah and California.
Colorado freight by the numbers
| Measure | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Truck freight starting in the state (2022) | About 152 million tons, 81% delivered in-state |
| Truck freight to other states | About 28 million tons |
| Truck freight from other states | About 32 million tons (more arrives than leaves) |
| Top destination states | Wyoming, Nebraska and Texas |
| Top states sending trucks in | Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska |
| Diesel tax, IFTA, 4th quarter 2026 | 33.5 cents a gallon |
| State rule to check first | Commercial drivers must carry chains September 1 to May 31 |
Tonnage from the BTS Freight Analysis Framework (FAF6, base year 2022). Diesel tax from the IFTA, Inc. rate matrix.
Trailers that fit Colorado freight
| Equipment | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| Dry van | Denver distribution, beverages and packaged food |
| Reefer | Beef from the northern Front Range, dairy and food plants |
| Flatbed | Building materials, steel from Pueblo, energy equipment |
| Box truck | Metro deliveries along the Front Range |
A winter van loop that skips the passes
This winter loop never crosses the Continental Divide. It runs east on the flat side of the state and comes home by way of Amarillo.
| Day | Load | About |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Denver distribution freight to Kansas City on I-70 | 600 miles |
| Wednesday | Kansas City freight to Oklahoma City on I-35 | 350 miles |
| Thursday | Oklahoma City freight to Denver by way of Amarillo on I-40, US-287 and I-25, over two days | 690 miles |
| Friday | Deliver in Denver |
An example of how a week can be planned, not a promise of loads, rates or miles. Distances are rounded.
Snow season, peaches and harvest
- September to May: Chain season in the mountains, with the heaviest storms from December to March.
- Summer: Construction on I-70 and I-25, and peach season on the Western Slope.
- Fall: Harvest on the plains and the holiday build in Denver.
- Spring: Late snowstorms can still close I-70 and I-25 north of Denver.
Snow on the passes is the season that matters most here. For the rest of the country's peaks, see our seasonal freight calendar.
Colorado fuel tax and mountain costs
- Fuel tax. Diesel in Colorado carries 33.5 cents a gallon of state tax on the IFTA matrix for the 4th quarter of 2026. Mountain miles burn more fuel, so the tax adds up faster here. The IFTA calculator shows your quarter.
- Mountain miles cost more. Grades burn more fuel and brakes. Budget for it in your cost per mile, and plan transit with the trip planner at a lower average speed.
Where Colorado loads start
| City or area | Why trucks go there | Reload outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Denver and Aurora | Distribution, food, beverages and building materials | Strong, the state's reload market |
| Greeley | Beef and food processing | Good for reefer |
| Colorado Springs | Distribution and manufacturing on I-25 | Fair |
| Pueblo | Steel and manufacturing | Fair for flatbed |
| Grand Junction | Fruit, energy and building materials | Thin, plan the run back |
Colorado checklist: chains, passes and the run back
- Carry chains from September 1 to May 31, and know where the I-70 chain-up areas are.
- Check CDOT conditions before I-70 west of Denver in winter.
- Plan transit at a lower average speed on mountain routes.
- Line up the run back to Denver before delivering on the Western Slope or the plains.
- Budget extra fuel and brake wear for mountain miles.
Booking Colorado freight with us
Colorado loads are planned around the mountains. From September through May your dispatcher confirms you carry chains before booking anything west of Denver, and builds a route that avoids I-70 when you'd rather stay on the plains.
Same terms in every state. We work online and are registered in New York. There's no local office, so your dispatcher works with you by phone, text and email.
- A flat 6% of weekly gross for dry van, reefer, flatbed and power only, and 8% for box truck and hotshot
- No fee on loads picked up in your first 3 days
- No upfront or setup fees and no long-term contract
- Setup within about 24 hours of getting your documents
Here's how our fee works and what you need to get set up.
Freight tonnage on this page comes from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics Freight Analysis Framework (FAF6, base year 2022).
East of Denver, I-70 runs flat into Kansas, and US-287 leads toward Oklahoma. Over the mountains to the west, see Utah.
Colorado truck dispatch questions
Which Colorado roads require trucks to carry chains?▾
From September 1 to May 31, commercial vehicles must carry chains on I-70 west of Morrison and several other mountain highways, according to the Colorado State Patrol, and put them on when the chain law is active.
Can I avoid I-70 in winter?▾
Sometimes. Your dispatcher can keep you on the Front Range and plains, or route north through Wyoming, which has its own winter closures.
Is it hard to get a load out of Colorado?▾
Outside Denver, yes. Most Colorado freight stays in the state, so deliveries to the Western Slope or plains usually mean a run back to Denver.
Do mountain miles cost more?▾
Yes. Grades burn more fuel and wear brakes faster. Budget for it in your cost per mile.
Ready to get your truck loaded?
Talk to a dispatcher today. Your first 3 days are free, with no upfront dispatch fees.