A summer safe driving campaign has been launched in Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol, the Colorado Motor Carriers Association and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control gathered at the Wooly Mammoth Park-and-Ride in Morrison to officially launch the Drive Safe Colorado Summer initiative.

This statewide effort aims to educate motorists on all things summer driving, from reducing wildfire risk, to planning for construction impacts and even how to ensure campers and boats are properly secured.

Following a statewide winter of record-low snowfall and ongoing drought conditions mirroring some of the state’s most destructive wildfire seasons, officials are warning motorists that highway corridors run through some of the most fire-prone landscapes in the country.

“Summer in Colorado means road trips, camping, and exploring, which brings heavy traffic and drivers unfamiliar with our terrain,” said Shoshana Lew, CDOT’s executive director.

“But under dry conditions, something as seemingly small as dragging trailer chains, overheated brakes, or a tossed cigarette can cause catastrophic impacts.”

CDOT has officially launched a dedicated Summer Driving in Colorado webpage which is home to key Drive Safe Colorado Summer messages. Serving as a one-stop safety hub, the site features downloadable checklists with specialized preparation steps for general vehicles, racks and trailers and commercial motor vehicles. The campaign will continue its grassroots rollout and targeted safety messaging throughout the peak summer travel season.

The folllowing advice has been issued to drivers:

  • Check Your Vehicle: Hot brakes are a wildfire ignition source. On steep mountain grades, commercial and towing vehicles must use low gears to prevent brake failure.
  • Secure Your Load: Ensure no metal chains are dragging from trailers or trucks. As the campaign slogan warns: “One spark is all it takes: cross your chains, not your fingers.”
  • Know the Rules: Mountain hills with steep grades feature double-speed zones—speeding in these areas results in twice the ticket cost.