HB-1061: Revised Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicle Email
Tuesday, February 07, 2017 02:00 AM

HB-1061, created by Colorado Motor Carriers Association and sponsored by Reps. J Becker & Melton and Senators Scott & Todd requests a change to the definition of commercial vehicles. It requests to define commercial vehicles at a weight of 16,000 pounds rather than at 10,000 pounds due to the state mandates. Why? In a nutshell: 

  • Ports of Entry requires vehicles 16,000 pounds or greater to pull in their ports.
  • Patrol and POE mobile units can now stop 10,000 pound vehicles at roadside operations for safety inspections.
  • The bill brings uniformity to the weights as they both now will be 16,000 pounds.

Below see a fact sheet prepared by Hicks & Associates, highlighting key provisions of the bill. 

HB-1061: Revised Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicle

Sponsors: Reps. J Becker & Melton and Senators Scott & Todd

Colorado Motor Carriers are seeking to revise the Colorado definition of commercial motor vehicle for intrastate use by raising the weight threshold from 10,000 pounds to 16,001 pounds GVWR. CMCA is seeking this legislative change in definition to bring consistency to the overall definition of commercial motor vehicle and remove existing confusion on the part of carriers as to when they fall subject to additional regulation in Colorado. Currently, 16,001 pound vehicles must stop at all Colorado Ports of Entry while 10,000 pound vehicle/combinations are required to stop for roadside inspections. This is a TLRC Committee bill which passed unanimously.

Benefits of the Revision:

  • Creates a single standard by weight for commercial vehicle operating only in Colorado by raising the definition standard to 16,001 pounds GVWR- same weight that is now required to stop at all Ports of Entry.
  • Many of the current operators that fall subject to the current definition are not motor carriers but are small business operations that utilize vehicles or combination of vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 pounds, (Plumbers, electricians, mechanical repair, lawn maintenance companies, AG operations)
  • Would clarify which motor vehicles and/or combination of motor vehicles are subject to commercial motor vehicle regulations.
  • Could provide additional time and resources for Colorado State Patrol and other enforcement agencies to focus on true commercial vehicles.
  • Federal definition of commercial motor vehicle for interstate commerce purposes is 26,000 pounds and many other western states have made similar changes.
  • Examples of vehicles/combination of vehicles: 1 ton pickups; ½ ton or ¾ ton pickups pulling a light trailer; small delivery vans.

CMCA supports this change that will bring clarity to weight definition issue in Colorado so that the standard is the same by definition and what is required to stop at Colorado Ports of Entry. This clarity will assist business owners in knowing what regulations they must comply with.

Hicks & Associates
Jay Hicks | RJ Hicks 

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