NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 3/22/2013. HOUSE BILL 13-1132 BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Mitsch Bush and Scott, Tyler, Buck, Coram, Exum, Fischer, Hamner, Hullinghorst, Labuda, Pabon, Salazar, Sonnenberg, Young; also SENATOR(S) Giron, Aguilar, Brophy, Heath. Concerning amending state law to conform to federal standards for vehicle weight limits for purposes of continued federal highway funding. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-508, amend (1) as follows: 42-4-508. Gross weight of vehicles and loads. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1.5) of this section, no a person shall not move or operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be moved or operated on any highway or bridge when the gross weight thereof exceeds the limits specified below: upon any one axle of a vehicle exceeds the limits prescribed in section 42-4-507. (a) (I) The gross weight upon any one axle of a vehicle shall not exceed the limits prescribed in section 42-4-507. (II) Subject to the limitations prescribed in section 42-4-507, the gross weight of a vehicle having two axles shall not exceed thirty-six thousand pounds. (III) Subject to the limitations prescribed in section 42-4-507, the gross weight of a single vehicle having three or more axles shall not exceed fifty-four thousand pounds. (b) Subject to the limitations prescribed in section 42-4-507, the maximum gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed that determined by the formula W equals = 1,000 (L plus + 40), W = where W represents the gross weight in pounds L = and L represents the length in feet between the centers of the first and last axles of such vehicle or combination of vehicles; but except that, in computation of this formula, no the gross vehicle weight shall must not exceed eighty-five thousand pounds. For the purposes of this section, where a combination of vehicles is used, no a vehicle shall must not carry a gross weight of less than ten percent of the overall gross weight of the combination of vehicles; except that these limitations shall not apply to specialized trailers of fixed public utilities whose axles may carry less than ten percent of the weight of the combination. The limitations provided in this section shall must be strictly construed and enforced. (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, except as may be authorized under section 42-4-510, no a person shall not move or operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be moved or operated on any highway or bridge which that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, also known as the interstate system, when the gross weight of such vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds the following specified limits: amount determined by the formula W = 500 [(LN/N-1) + 12N + 36], up to a maximum of eighty thousand pounds, where W represents the overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest five hundred pounds, L represents the distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and N represents the number of axles in the group. (I) Subject to the limitations prescribed in section 42-4-507, the gross weight of a vehicle having two axles shall not exceed thirty-six thousand pounds. (II) Subject to the limitations prescribed in section 42-4-507, the gross weight of a single vehicle having three or more axles shall not exceed fifty-four thousand pounds. (III) (A) Subject to the limitations prescribed in section 42-4-507, the maximum gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed that determined by the formula W = 500 [(LN/N-1) + 12N + 36]. (B) In using the formula in sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (III), W equals overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, L equals distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and N equals number of axles in the group under consideration; but in computations of this formula no gross vehicle weight shall exceed eighty thousand pounds, except as may be authorized under section 42-4-510. (IV) For the purposes of this subsection (1), where a combination of vehicles is used, no vehicle shall carry a gross weight of less than ten percent of the overall gross weight of the combination of vehicles; except that this limitation shall not apply to specialized trailers whose specific use is to haul poles and whose axles may carry less than ten percent of the weight of the combination. (d) For the purposes of this subsection (1), where a combination of vehicles is used, a vehicle must not carry a gross weight of less than ten percent of the overall gross weight of the combination of vehicles; except that this limitation does not apply to specialized trailers whose specific use is to haul poles and whose axles may carry less than ten percent of the weight of the combination. SECTION 2. 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. ________________________________________________________ Mark Ferrandino John P. Morse SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE ____________________________ ____________________________ Marilyn Eddins Cindi L. Markwell CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE APPROVED________________________________________ _________________________________________ John W. Hickenlooper GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO