The Mountain Rules | I-70 Mountain Corridor Overview

The Mountain Rules is a safety effort to inform and educate in-state and inter-state trucking companies and drivers on the challenges of traveling in Colorado’s mountains. This first video from the campaign provides an overview of the challenges truckers may experience along the I-70 Mountain Corridor.
The Mountain Rules is a campaign from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) in partnership with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA).

[@BenDoverBush]

Out of state drivers need to see this.

[@hilariorodriguez1609]

Or swift driver’s especially

[@shericall3452]

Practical, timely, and universal mountain pass travel information! Well done CMCA and CO DOT!

[@alex377687]

I moved here during the summer from Houston, Texas and have traveled I-70 and this was more informative than expected and I'm ready for winter!!! Thank you.♡

[@puffkendrick6850]

This information is very helpful for us drivers ,Thanks for your time putting this together.

[@Biig__TUNA]

Just got my CDL. Thank you for this information!!

[@sasquach33]

I run Colorado mountains almost every day out of Denver. Some advice...truckers, a good rule of thumb is to go down at least one gear lower than going up. Be in that gear at the top of the hill. Don't try and grab one on your way down. Don't be afraid of going slow. You should be in a gear where you are using your engine brake to control your speed, not your brakes. In normal traffic and weather conditions, I almost never have to touch my brakes, because the engine brake is holding the speed I want. Also, Colorado's digital highway signage is only correct about 75% of the time. The app, only about 25% of the time. Expect to figure out chain mandates, and pass closures on your own. It's always a guess as to when it's okay to remove your chains, as CDOT never gives you an indication when you don't need them anymore, or where to take them off. Have a back up plan, or be ready to shut down when coming up to the base of a pass. It may be good conditions at the bottom, but terrible at the top. CDOT will have the pass closed, even thought the app says it's open. Also, CSP doesn't like to help truck drivers out at their weigh stations, by giving you a green light on your pre-pass, when they are closed. The open/closed sign is so close to the port exit, expect to make a quick lane change when you find out it's closed, and the lane ends. On I-70 EB, from Vail pass to at least Georgetown, the right lane is so rutted and full of pot holes, expect to loose bolts, your coffee, throw you back out, get thrown side to side, and hope you don't lose any tires. Avoid the mountains on I-70, in the afternoons during ski season, and Friday evening. It's a constant back up. There are three lanes in some places, but in all of Colo's wisdom, the far left is closed most of the time, or maybe open with an expensive toll. Expect very few rest stops to be open. Yes, you'll see them on the side of the highway, but they are gated closed. Bottom line, you'll need patience helping deliver goods that makes our economy run, while driving through Colorado. Our politicians here are clueless.

[@catsforhire9116]

I drove I-70 for the first time from Denver to Breckenridge a few days ago and even though the roads were luckily cleared and open those steep grades and sharp curves got REAL, especially after the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnel, but wow what an experience. I have the utmost respect for semi truck drivers that carry over routes such as that.

[@Brose97366]

That part I drove it golden to boulder at night and almost shit myself

[@meanwhile4308]

Great video!!

[@carlosjoseramosgomez9491]

Excelent video!!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@dennisa10cio]

Nice job!

[@Velcartransport]

I just got my class A 3 weeks ago with no restrictions and I can't believe I'm starting my career out of Aurora Colorado

[@user-zz3km4bc5z]

Highway 6 was one of the most memorable experience the terrain was a sight to see

[@gregorylopez6024]

Serious subject. Good for the State of Colorado. This was very informative. I believe mountain driving knowledge should be its own separate test when trying to obtain a CDL license. Most states’ general knowledge tests briefly cover some of this material, but it’s not enough. The problem is I’m seeing a lot of new truck drivers these days with poor training and poor knowledge on safety standards.

[@g41thomas]

Great video for trip planning

[@bizoune2006]

W0W !!

[@derekzaleski3143]

This is my playground 😂

[@RT-gq3bh]

In Arizona, after numerous multiple fatality accidents, we provide very obvious warning at the top of a hill (like I70) when traffic is stopped or restricted anywhere on the downgrade. I can’t find any where this was done in the terrible accident of 2 years ago.

[@101southsideboy]

i was always taught to go down a grade in one or two gears lower than the gear I went up in

[@AC-qk5lk]

Do chains laws also apply to light load cargo vans under the GVWR of I think 16,000lbs.?

[@mrmccreight1]

I believe the chain law is required by ALL vehicles, cars and trucks alike.

[@mrmccreight1]

Unfortunately, those who need to watch this regularly, the majority of drivers who also swear by GPS units, won't.

[@DominicMazoch]

Is I80 across WY a safer route?

[@dougmitchell5435]

Different. Not likely better. Windy as hell, and the gusts through the gaps in the surrounding mountains cn be really violent.

[@treytheaviator4440]

Not to mention constant I-80 road closures through Wyoming during winter storms which are a common consistent occurrence during that time.

[@Horarik]

What about US-40?

[@IXSuperRadGamerXI]

No it is not safer. Sometimes can be even worse with the wind gusts and snow and ice building up in your wells and onto brakes it can turn into a nightmare. People try to fly around there and spin out all the time when trying to pass a semi in the right lane they might wind up not seeing a plow truck moving very slowly in the left. I've seen time after time people trying to do that and wiping out. However, if you need escape route to be more available then for that reason I'd say maybe it is a better bet.

[@wanderingfido]

And be sure to plead guilty to all charges. Or you could get sentenced for 110 years.

[@littleburr25]

Has anymore video's been released?

[@famousfathead8020]

Production starts soon. Likely first quarter of 2022.

[@rosembentley9405]

Dígame usted como un truck drivers que no entienda, ni escriba ni hablé Inglés, pueda entender la peligrosidad de manejar en esa área.

[@benjaminacosta2582]

si es una pregunta,es muy buena! estoy de acuerdo con usted! es NECESARIO que cada "truck driver" sepa al menos inglés basico! asi se evitarian muchos accidentes!

[@truckerforever]

How about not going to Colorado? 👎👎👎🤔🤔🤔

[@davids4063]

Well how about don't send inexperienced drivers to CO. I would not send a driver to CO without me riding down few mountains with him or her at the wheel first.

[@siyonqoba4810]

I'm not driving through Colorado in a semi ever

[@futureshock7425]

Brakes don’t last forever

[@jimholloman4457]

This video would be better without the loud background music -- that doesn't want to stay in the background.

[@garychaney7120]

No matter how long you been driving I70 you never get use to I avoid Colorado as much as I can man!!!!

[@Aikynbreusov]

We need this video to be Punjabi language so all the illiterate Indian drivers can know what to do and how to drive safely on our American roads

[@rayray4192]

Good thing you have mirrors mounted on your hood. How did anyone ever operate a tractor trailer without mirrors.