---
title: Colorado Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | CDOT Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Colorado CDOT oversize permits, I-70 mountain pass routing, Eisenhower Tunnel clearances, and CSP escorts. 24/7 dispatch desk. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Colorado Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Colorado.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
- **Portal**: CDOT COOPR Oversize/Overweight Permitting System
- **Regulatory Advisory**: State DOT regulations and permit processing queues are determined by individual state transportation authorities and vary by agency workload. Carriers should verify active route advisories and state requirements prior to movement.

## Legal vs. Routine Permitted Dimensions
- **Legal Width**: 8' 6" | **Max Routine**: 17' 0"
- **Legal Height**: 14' 6" | **Max Routine**: 16' 0"
- **Legal Length**: 57' 4" Semi-Trailer / 75' Overall | **Max Routine**: 130' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 160,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 36,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Colorado
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" width or 14' 6" height.
- **Overweight (OW) Axle Permits**: Overload cab-cards for heavy machinery and configurations exceeding 80,000 lbs GVW.
- **Multi-Axle Superload Permits**: Specialized filings exceeding Over 200,000, including State DOT and certified partner bridge reviews, route surveys, and police escorts.
- **Annual & Blanket Fleet Permits**: Continuous-operation annual highway authorizations for construction fleets.
- **Temporary Trip & Fuel Permits**: 72-hour IRP vehicle registration and IFTA fuel tax credentials.
- **County, City & Toll Road Clearances**: Municipal authorizations and turnpike clearances.

## Superload Permitting & State Review Protocol
- **Weight Trigger**: Over 200,000 lbs GVW or exceeding Colorado Bridge Weight Formula
- **Width Trigger**: Over 17' 0" wide
- **Height Trigger**: Over 16' 0" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 130' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) electronic systems and certified structural engineering partners evaluate axle load distribution across bridge structures upon submission.
- **Route Surveys & Clearances**: Required for extreme heights/widths to verify overhead physical clearances.
- **Utility & Escorts**: Coordinated wire lifts with power utilities and State Police / Highway Patrol escorts.

## Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicle Requirements
- **Front Escort**: Required over 13' 0" wide on 2-lane mountain corridors; over 15' 0" wide on 4-lane interstates
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 15' 0" wide on all highways or overall length exceeding 110' 0"
- **Height Pole**: Required over 16' 0" high (lead vehicle with calibrated pole)
- **Police Escort**: Colorado State Patrol (CSP) escort required over 17' 0" wide, 17' 0" high, or over 200,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Denver Metro Area (I-25, I-70, C-470, I-225): 6:00–9:00 AM & 3:30–6:00 PM M-F
  - Colorado Springs (I-25): 6:00–8:30 AM & 3:30–6:00 PM M-F
  - Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel (I-70): Strict hazmat and oversize time-slots
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only for loads exceeding 12' wide or 14'6" high. Night moves permitted for certain overweight loads on I-25 and I-70 with approved lighting.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-70 (Rocky Mountain East-West Arterial)
- I-25 (Front Range North-South Spine)
- I-76 (Denver to Nebraska)
- US-50 (Southern Rockies)
- US-287 / US-40

## Frequently Asked Questions
### What is Colorado's legal height limit?
Colorado permits a generous legal height of 14'6" without requiring an oversize permit, one of the tallest in the nation.

### How do oversize loads navigate the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70?
Loads over 13'11" high cannot use the Eisenhower Tunnel and must take US-6 over Loveland Pass (elevation 11,990 ft), weather permitting.

### When are Colorado State Patrol (CSP) escorts required?
CSP escorts are required for loads exceeding 17' wide, 17' high, 200,000+ lbs, or when traversing restricted mountain passes.

### How fast can Alpine obtain a Colorado CDOT permit?
Routine single-trip permits are processed in 2–4 business hours through CDOT's COOPR system. Alpine prepares applications immediately upon intake.

## Contact & Direct Dispatch
- **Direct Phone**: (918) 607-6547 (CALL: [918-607-6547](tel:9186076547))
- **Email**: [permits@alpinetruck.com](mailto:permits@alpinetruck.com)
- **Online Intake**: [alpinetruckservice.com/permits/colorado](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/colorado)