Colorado Patrol Urges Drivers to Winterize Vehicles

Troopers recommend tire, battery, and fluid checks plus an emergency kit before snow and ice arrive.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Car Maintenance

Photograph of a dark-gray sedan parked on a snowy shoulder beneath bare aspens, its open trunk holding a blanket and red emergency bag, with snowy foothills in the distance. — The Colorado State Patrol urges drivers to check tires, batteries, and fluids and pack emergency supplies before winter storms, after responding to more than 2,450 winter weather crashes last November. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Have you prepared your vehicle and emergency kit for winter driving yet?

The Colorado State Patrol is urging drivers to prepare their vehicles for winter weather. Troopers responded to more than 2,450 winter weather crashes last November, the state's peak month for such incidents.

Why it matters

Cold temperatures can affect how well a vehicle operates, and snow-related closures, crashes, or stranded vehicles can leave motorists waiting on the roadside for extended periods. Preparing a vehicle in advance can reduce the risk of being caught unprepared on Colorado roads.

Troopers responded to more than 2,450 winter weather crashes last November, and 85% of the crashes they investigated involved property damage. Recommended tire tread depth is at least 3/16 of an inch, though the source does not break down how many crashes involved tire or vehicle condition.

The players

Colorado State Patrol

The Colorado State Patrol is the state's highway law enforcement agency, responsible for patrolling state roads and investigating traffic crashes.

The details

The Colorado State Patrol recommends checking tire pressure, tread depth, and battery health, and using tires rated for all weather or mud and snow. Drivers should also check windshield fluid, oil, and filters, and pack an emergency kit with dry and warm clothing, non-perishable food, water, a first aid kit, and a small portable shovel. Stranded motorists are advised to call *CSP or *277 for assistance.

Last November: Peak winter weather month for crashes, with more than 2,450 responses by troopers.
November 11, 2026: Colorado State Patrol issued its winter vehicle preparation reminder.

Seasonal Patterns

The Colorado State Patrol's crash data show November as the state's peak month for winter weather incidents, with more than 2,450 responses last year. The annual advisory positions pre-season vehicle checks as a response to that recurring seasonal pattern rather than a one-time warning.

Check tire tread depth and tire rating, along with battery health and fluid levels, before the first snow. Pack an emergency kit with warm clothing, water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and a small shovel in case you are stranded.

The takeaway

Preparing a vehicle before winter arrives is a low-cost step that can prevent a roadside wait in dangerous conditions. Checking tires, battery, and fluids now is far easier than dealing with a breakdown during a storm.