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Permits by state
What CDOT requires before an oversize or overweight load moves in Colorado: legal limits, permits and fees, pilot escorts by route color, Denver curfews and holidays. Sourced from CDOT and 2 CCR 601-4.
The numbers
| Dimension | Legal limit |
|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in |
| Height | 14 ft 6 in |
| Length | Semitrailer up to 57 ft 4 in (no overall limit for tractor-semitrailer); single unit 45 ft; combinations 70 ft |
| Overhang | 4 ft front, 10 ft rear |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lb Interstate; 85,000 lb non-Interstate |
| Axles | 20,000 lb single; tandem 36,000 lb Interstate / 40,000 lb other state highways |
Sources: CDOT: Rules & Regulations; CDOT: Permitting Information. Checked Oct 15, 2026.
Permits
Get extra-legal permits before entering Colorado, through the COOPR permitting system. Standard single-trip permits allow up to 17 ft wide, 16 ft high, 130 ft long on four-lane (120 ft non-mountain two-lane, 110 ft mountain two-lane), 25 ft front / 35 ft rear overhang, and 200,000 lb, subject to CDOT maps.
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single trip oversize | $30 |
| Single trip overweight / OSOW | $30 plus $10 per axle |
| Annual OS / OW / OSOW | $250 / $400 / $400 |
| Chapter 6 Special (200,000-500,000 lb) | $250 |
| Superload (over 500,000 lb, or double dolly over 15 ft wide) | $800 |
CDOT notes a surcharge may be added; verify with the state for the current amount.
Source: CDOT: Permitting Information. Checked Oct 15, 2026.
Pilot cars
Escorts depend on the route color on CDOT's Pilot Escort and Oversize Restriction Map:
| Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Red | Over 8 ft 6 in wide needs a Chapter 6 Special permit |
| Blue | Over 8 ft 6 in to 11 ft: 1 front; over 11 to 13 ft: front and rear; over 13 ft: Chapter 6 permit |
| Yellow | Over 11 to 13 ft: 1 front; over 13 to 15 ft: front plus rear pilot or flashing light; over 15 ft: Chapter 6 permit |
| Green | Over 13 to 15 ft: 1 front on two-lane, rear pilot or flashing light on four-lane; wider: see rule 408.2.4 |
| Special / Superload permits | At least 1 front and 1 rear, unless CDOT says otherwise |
Pilot escorts need Colorado certification (or AZ, FL, MN, OK, UT, WA or SC&RA) and $1 million insurance.
Sources: 2 CCR 601-4 (PDF); CDOT: Permitting Information. Checked Oct 15, 2026.
When you can roll
Night: up to 12 ft wide with flashing lights; over 12 to 14 ft with one front pilot on two-lane and one rear on four-lane; over 14 ft not allowed at night without a Chapter 6 permit.
Denver curfew: no extra-legal travel 6-9 AM and 3-6 PM Mon-Fri on listed Denver-area segments (e.g., I-25 from I-225 to 120th Ave, I-70 from Ward Rd to I-225) unless a Chapter 6 or Superload permit allows it.
Holidays: no travel 6 AM-9 PM on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, and noon-9 PM on the Friday before Memorial Day and Labor Day. If July 4 falls on a Saturday, also noon-9 PM the Friday before; on a Sunday, noon-9 PM the Monday after.
Sources: CDOT: Rules & Regulations; 2 CCR 601-4, Sections 401 and 404 (PDF). Checked Oct 15, 2026.
Permit office
Apply through COOPR. Routing questions: 303-757-9539. freight.colorado.gov: Permitting Information
Rather not deal with it? Run your load through our permit checker, then call (310) 989-6530.
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Call (310) 989-6530 · Email Andrew@vectorlogisticsllc.com