Colorado and Wyoming Crack Down on Trucking Violations

TL;DR - Key Points

• Colorado and Wyoming State Patrols conducted a joint enforcement operation on Highway 287, inspecting 82 commercial trucks and removing 24 unsafe vehicles and 16 drivers from the road, with four arrests including three repeat offenders.

• Colorado truck accidents have declined from 112 fatal crashes in 2021 to 34 through August 2024, but enforcement alone can't prevent all accidents caused by negligent trucking companies and undertrained drivers.

• Victims of Colorado truck accidents and Wyoming truck accidents face complex legal battles involving federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and aggressive insurance companies.

• Common violations include hours of service breaches, improper cargo loading, maintenance failures, and unqualified drivers operating commercial vehicles without proper licensing.

• Working with a CDL-holding attorney who understands trucking industry regulations is critical to building a strong case and recovering full compensation after a commercial vehicle crash.

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The Colorado State Patrol and Wyoming State Patrol just conducted a major enforcement sweep targeting commercial trucks on Highway 287 near the state border. According to a report by Fox 31 Denver on October 2nd, out of 82 inspections, they pulled 24 vehicles and 16 drivers off the road for violations. Four arrests were made, three of them repeat offenders.

That should be encouraging news if you live or drive in Colorado or Wyoming. But here's the reality: even with stepped-up enforcement, Colorado truck accidents still happen at an alarming rate. In 2024 alone, 34 fatal crashes involving large trucks were reported through August. That's 34 families who lost someone. Hundreds more were injured in non-fatal wrecks.

Enforcement helps. But it doesn't stop negligent trucking companies, undertrained drivers, or rigs with mechanical failures from sharing the highway with you. And when those crashes do happen, victims need a truck crash lawyer who understands both sides of the trucking industry and the legal system.

What the CSP's MEET Team Is Doing

CSP calls it the Mobile Enforcement and Education Team, or MEET. The goal is simple: inspect commercial vehicles, educate drivers, and stop dangerous rigs before they cause a wreck. Troopers set up checkpoints along major routes and require trucks to stop for safety inspections.

Fox 31 Denver reports that according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Colorado has seen a drop in fatal large truck crashes over the past few years. From 112 in 2021 to 83 in 2023, and 34 through August 2024. Wyoming has similarly been working to reduce its numbers through enforcement and education.

During the October 1st operation on Highway 287, Colorado State Troopers found serious violations. Some drivers were operating without a valid commercial driver's license. Others were driving rigs that should never have been on the road.

Trooper Sher Mendes with the Colorado State Patrol said it clearly in her Fox 31 Denver interview: "They're handling a big rig, right? So we want to make sure that truck drivers are having the training and being able to inspect their vehicles so that we can prevent crashes."

That's exactly right. But the enforcement only works if trucking companies and drivers follow the rules in the first place.

Why Trucks Still Crash Despite Enforcement Efforts

Even with inspections, crackdowns, and partnerships between state patrols, the trucking industry is under constant pressure to move freight faster and cheaper. That pressure leads to shortcuts.

Drivers work beyond legal hours of service limits. Companies skip required maintenance. Brokers hire carriers with terrible safety records because they offer the lowest bid. Trucks roll out with worn brakes, bald tires, and broken lights.

We've seen it in our cases. A driver who was cited twice before for logbook violations gets behind the wheel again and causes a fatal crash. A trucking company that was flagged by the FMCSA's Safety Measurement System keeps operating because enforcement is inconsistent.

Colorado truck accidents don't just happen because of bad luck. They happen because someone cut corners, ignored regulations, or put profit ahead of safety. And Wyoming truck accidents follow the same pattern.

The MEET team can pull unsafe trucks off the road during a checkpoint. But they can't be everywhere. And that's where victims like you get hurt.

What Happens After a Commercial Vehicle Crash

If you or someone you love was injured in a crash with a semi-truck, box truck, or other commercial vehicle, you're dealing with a lot more than a typical car accident. These cases are complex, and the trucking company's insurance carrier will have lawyers and investigators working immediately to limit their liability.

Here's what we do when someone calls us after a Colorado truck accident or Wyoming truck accident:

We investigate right away. That means securing the truck's electronic logging device data, maintenance records, driver logs, and black box information before it disappears.

We examine the driver's history. Was this person properly licensed? Had they been cited before? Were they operating under hours of service violations at the time of your crash?

We look at the trucking company. Are they a known bad actor in the industry? Do they have a history of safety violations?

We bring in experts. Accident reconstructionists, trucking industry specialists, and medical professionals who understand the long-term impact of your injuries.

And because I hold a Commercial Driver's License myself, I know how trucks are supposed to operate. I know what the regulations require. And I know when a trucking company or driver has violated those rules.

If you or a loved one was injured in a crash with a commercial truck, call us at 866-377-3800 or schedule a free consultation at www.metierlaw.com.

Common Violations We See in Colorado Truck Accidents

Here are some of the most common truck safety regulations that get ignored:

Hours of Service Violations: Drivers are supposed to take mandatory rest breaks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hours of service rules limit how long a driver can be on duty. But some drivers falsify their logs to hide violations.

Improper Loading and Securement: Cargo that's overloaded, unbalanced, or poorly secured causes trucks to tip over or lose control.

Brake and Maintenance Failures: Trucks are supposed to pass annual inspections and undergo regular maintenance. But when a company skips brake jobs or ignores warning lights, the results can be deadly.

Driver Qualification Issues: Not everyone is qualified to drive an 80,000-pound vehicle. Yet we still see companies hiring drivers with suspended licenses or no CDL at all.

When troopers pull trucks off the road during operations like the one on Highway 287, they're catching these violations. But enforcement is only part of the picture. Accountability happens in the courtroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Colorado or Wyoming?

Get medical attention first, even if you feel okay. Then document everything: take photos, get witness information, and report the crash to law enforcement. Call a truck accident attorney as soon as possible so we can preserve evidence before it's lost.

How is a truck accident case different from a car accident case?

Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and commercial insurance policies that are far more complex than standard auto policies. You're often dealing with the driver, the trucking company, the cargo owner, and sometimes third-party maintenance companies.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Colorado?

Colorado's statute of limitations for motor vehicle accident cases is generally three years from the date of the accident. Wyoming has a 4 year timeframe. But you shouldn't wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and trucking companies start building their defense immediately.

Can I still recover compensation if the truck driver wasn't cited by police?

Yes. A traffic citation helps your case, but it's not required. We prove liability by showing the driver or trucking company violated safety regulations, acted negligently, or failed to meet their duty of care.

Why You Want a CDL Attorney on Your Side

When you hire Metier Law Firm’s truck crash lawyers, you're working with someone who knows the trucking industry from the inside. I'm not just a lawyer who read about trucking regulations. I hold a CDL. I've been behind the wheel. I know what drivers are taught, how they're supposed to inspect their rigs, and what red flags to look for when something's not right.

The CSP and Wyoming State Patrol are doing good work with operations like the MEET team. They're pulling unsafe trucks off the road and holding drivers accountable. But they can't be everywhere. And when enforcement fails, victims need someone who will fight for them in court.

Call Metier Law Firm at 866-377-3800 or schedule your free consultation today at www.metierlaw.com.

Disclaimer: Past results discussed should not be considered a guarantee of your results as the factors of every case are individually unique. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney from Metier Law Firm regarding your individual situation for legal advice.

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