In Colorado, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | Colorado legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 14 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 75 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 36,000 lbs | Heavier |
Freight may extend up to 4 ft beyond the front of the truck without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Colorado requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 16 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 110 ft long | 1 escort · 120 ft → 2 escorts |
| 17 ft 6 in high | Route survey required |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — sunrise to sunset standard.
- Weekends: Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions.
- Loads up to 12 ft W may travel at night with proper lighting; 12–14 ft W may travel at night with pilot vehicle (front on 2-lane, rear on 4-lane); >14 ft W prohibited at night unless Chapter 6 Special permit authorizes..
- Holiday blackouts: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day.
4Superloads in Colorado
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 17 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 130 ft |
| Gross weight | 200,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 14 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~1 business day to issue.
- Superload review: ~14 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 days.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?Colorado permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Colorado?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft 6 in high, 75 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Colorado?
Colorado requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 16 ft), and a height pole over 16 ft high.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Colorado?
Daylight only, sunrise to sunset standard. Loads up to 12 ft W may travel at night with proper lighting; 12–14 ft W may travel at night with pilot vehicle (front on 2-lane, rear on 4-lane); over 14 ft W prohibited at night unless Chapter 6 Special permit authorizes. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Colorado?
Over 17 ft wide, 16 ft high, 130 ft long, or 200,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 14 days of lead time.
How much does a Colorado oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Colorado load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Colorado?
Routine single-trip permits usually issue in about 1 business day; superload review takes about 14 days. A permit is valid for 5 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Colorado?
Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions. Movement stops on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day (No travel 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. on the holiday, plus noon-9:00 p.m. Friday before Memorial Day and Labor Day; July 4 on Sat -> prior Friday noon-9pm, on Sun -> following Monday noon-9pm); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Colorado?
Freight may extend up to 4 ft beyond the front of the truck without an over-length permit.
Does Colorado require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 17 ft 6 in high. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Colorado?
Colorado publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for implements of husbandry / farm tractors, and hay width (loose/round 12 ft; rectangular 10 ft 6 in) (for example no oversize permit needed when temporarily moved on the highway (crs 42-4-510)). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Colorado permit cover Wyoming?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Wyoming, Nebraska, or Kansas needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.