Second Regular Session
             Sixty-seventh General Assembly
                    STATE OF COLORADO
                                                 INTRODUCED
                                                           
                                                           
 LLS NO. 10-0463.01 Jery Payne           SENATE BILL 10-173
                   SENATE SPONSORSHIP
 Gibbs, 
 
                    HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
 Scanlan, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senate Committees
 House Committees
 
 
 Transportation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                         A BILL FOR AN ACT
       Concerning the effect of commercial vehicles on traffic
            flow.
       
       
                           Bill Summary
       
            (Note:  This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
       not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted.  If this bill
       passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
       applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
       http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.)
       
            The bill prohibits driving a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight
       rating of more than 26,000 pounds in the left lane of I-70 on a grade of
       6% or more, except when necessary to obey a traffic control device, enter
       or exit I-70, or when the weather or heavy traffic slows speeds.  The
       department of transportation will post signs notifying drivers of the
       restriction.
            The bill also prohibits the department of transportation from
       setting a speed limit for a class of motor vehicle that is more than 25
       miles per hour less than the limit for another class of motor vehicle.
       
       
       
       Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
            SECTION 1.  Part 7 of article 4 of title 42, Colorado Revised
       Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to
       read:
            42-4-714.  Large vehicles in left lane.  (1)  No person shall
       operate a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of
       more than twenty-six thousand pounds in the far left lane of
       interstate 70 when the average grade is six percent or more for
       at least one mile, except when:
            (a)  Necessary to obey traffic control devices;
            (b)  Necessary to exit or enter interstate 70;
            (c)  Weather conditions require speeds slower than the
       speed limit necessary under section 42-4-1101; or
            (d)  High traffic volume causes the speed of moving motor
       vehicles to drop to at least twenty miles per hour less than the
       speed limit.
            (2)  The department of transportation shall post signs
       giving the public notice of this section.
            SECTION 2.  42-4-1102, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended
       BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBSECTION to read:
            42-4-1102.  Altering of speed limits.  (8)  The department of
       transportation shall not set a speed limit for commercial
       vehicles or any other type of motor vehicle that differs from
       the highest authorized speed for any other type of motor
       vehicle on the same portion of a highway by more than
       twenty-five miles per hour.
            SECTION 3.  Specified effective date - applicability.  This act
       shall take effect July 1, 2010, and shall apply to offenses committed on
       or after said date.
            SECTION 4.  Safety clause.  The general assembly hereby finds,
       determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
       preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.