CDOT Warns Backcountry Users: Watch Where You Park!
News Release
CDOT maintenance personnel recently met with law enforcement officers at the summit of US 550 Red Mountain Pass in southwest Colorado to discuss possible solutions to illegally parked vehicles along the shoulders of highways and mountain passes. The Colorado State Patrol and local sheriffs have the authority to tow and/or ticket vehicles that impede snow removal operations.
STATEWIDE ― The Colorado Department of Transportation asks that vehicle owners take care when parking before recreating outdoors. Poorly parked vehicles prevent CDOT maintenance workers from safely clearing roads of snow and ice, and present safety hazards for motorists or commercial traffic on nearby roadways. CDOT urges vehicle owners to WATCH WHERE YOU PARK!
When searching for areas to park vehicles or trailers, the public is reminded to do so safely and lawfully. Anyone leaving a vehicle unattended on the side of the road runs the risk of breaking the law, being fined and having their vehicle towed away by law enforcement. Vehicle owners are urged to take heed of “no parking” signs. Parking areas need to be kept open with no vehicles or trailers so that plows and heavy equipment can be turned around safely by maintenance personnel.
Backcountry users should park only in clearly marked, designated parking areas. While some areas along the highway may appear to provide ample room to park, CDOT warns vehicle owners that they run the risk of being trapped with large snow piles pushed by plows. Vehicles left on the side of the road also make plowing operations difficult for road maintenance crews.
Before heading into the high country, backcountry users should be aware of avalanche conditions. Visit www.avalanche.state.co.us for current snow condition forecasts. When parking, look for caution signs at avalanche areas that indicate no stopping or standing at the location. These areas are prone to snow slides. The slide areas are also often at locations where avalanche control operations may be planned. Never park vehicles or trailers on the side of the road at these potential avalanche sites.
A digital flyer for the media, other agencies and visitor centers is available to print and share: WATCH WHERE YOU PARK.
OBEY THE LAW
Backcountry users are advised that when leaving vehicles on the shoulder of the road, they are at risk of being fined and their vehicle being towed. Owners who leave vehicles unattended on the side of the road are at risk of obstructing avalanche control missions and the operation of heavy equipment. Obstructing highway operations is in violation of state law.
Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 42. Vehicles and Traffic
Article 4. Regulation of Vehicles and Traffic
PART 12. Parking
§ 42-4-1202. Parking or abandonment of vehicles
(1) No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, either attended or unattended, outside of a business or a residential district, upon the paved or improved and main-traveled part of the highway...
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
PART18. Vehicles Abandoned on Public Property
§ 42-4-1803. Abandonment of motor vehicles - public property
(2) Whenever any… (law enforcement) …. or agency employee finds a motor vehicle... attended or unattended, standing upon any portion of a highway right-of-way in such a manner as to constitute an obstruction to traffic or proper highway maintenance, such officer or agency employee is authorized to cause the motor vehicle, vehicle, cargo, or debris to be moved to eliminate any such obstruction...
For more information or to read the Colorado law in its entirety, visit:
CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated inter-regional express service. Governor Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.
