HB26-1248 • 2026

Oversize Overweight Permitting

Beginning on July 1, 2026, the bill directs state-level permit fees and supplemental surcharges for oversize and overweight vehicles and longer vehicle combinations to the freight cash fund (fund), wh

Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rep. D. Johnson, Sen. R. Pelton
Last action: 2026-03-17
Official status: House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Postpone Indefinitely
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on penalties for non-compliance.

Oversize Overweight Permitting

This bill directs state-level permit fees and supplemental surcharges for oversize and overweight vehicles to a new Freight Cash Fund, which will support freight-related projects and the administrative costs of the Office of Freight Mobility and Safety. It also requires the creation of an online centralized permitting system by July 1, 2029.

What This Bill Does

Directs state-level permit fees and supplemental surcharges for oversize and overweight vehicles to a new 'Freight Cash Fund' starting July 1, 2026.
Uses money in the Freight Cash Fund to support freight-related projects and administrative costs of the Office of Freight Mobility and Safety.
Requires the creation of an online centralized permitting system by July 1, 2029, where people can apply for all necessary state and local permits for a route in one transaction.
Conducts a feasibility study on the centralized permitting system to be completed by September 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

People who need permits for oversize or overweight vehicles.
Local and state government agencies involved in issuing these permits.
The Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol.

Terms To Know

Freight Cash Fund: A fund created to collect fees from oversized and overweight vehicle permits, used for freight-related projects and administrative costs.
Centralized Permitting System: An online system that allows people to apply for all necessary state and local permits in one transaction.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the funds will be distributed among different regions or communities.
It is unclear if there are any penalties for non-compliance with the new permitting system requirements.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.003

HOU Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes the effective dates for certain provisions of the bill related to oversize and overweight vehicle permits.

Changes the date from June 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for when a specific provision in the bill will end.
Modifies the start date from January 1, 2027, to July 1, 2026, for another part of the bill.
Updates the effective date of the act based on whether or not there is a referendum petition filed against it.

The amendment text does not provide clear details about all changes and their impacts, which may require further clarification.

L.004

HOU Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Lost

Plain English: The amendment changes where certain road usage fee revenues are sent, directing a portion of these fees to the state highway fund starting in fiscal year 2026-27.

Directs one-sixth of all road usage fee revenue collected on and after January 1, 2027, during fiscal year 2026-27, to be credited to the state highway fund.
In subsequent years, directs decreasing portions (one-seventh in 2027-28 and one-eighth thereafter) of road usage fee revenue to the state highway fund.

The exact impact on other funds or programs is not detailed in this amendment text.

L.005

HOU Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes the bill to give more flexibility in permit fees for oversize and overweight vehicles, extends a study deadline by one year, and adds specific requirements for the study.

Changes 'SHALL' to 'MAY' regarding state-level permit fees and surcharges, giving more flexibility.
Extends the deadline for a study from 2027 to 2028.
Adds new requirements for the study including evaluating options to reduce annual permit sizes, modify annual permits, account for credit card charges, improve pilot car escort certification programs, and enhance third-party weight documentation processes.

The exact impact of changing 'SHALL' to 'MAY' is not fully explained in the amendment text.

Bill History

2026-03-17 House
House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Postpone Indefinitely
2026-02-18 House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Official Summary Text

Beginning on July 1, 2026, the bill directs state-level permit fees and supplemental surcharges for oversize and overweight vehicles and longer vehicle combinations to the freight cash fund (fund), which is newly created in the office of freight mobility and safety (office) in the transportation development division of the department of transportation (department). The fund is appropriated for use by the office for the following main purposes:
For funding freight-related projects; and
To support the office in functions related to freight projects, movement, and infrastructure, including the administrative costs of the office.
In funding freight-related projects from the fund, the office is required to attempt to direct money in a manner that is proportional to the amount of freight routes and the impact of freight traffic in the affected community or region of the state.
The office may also use money in the fund to create and maintain a centralized online permitting system for oversize permits, overweight permits, and other types of freight or transport permits issued by the department, the Colorado state patrol, or any local government. The centralized permitting system must allow a person to apply for and be issued all necessary state and local permits for a route in a single transaction and pay for all associated permit fees and surcharges for that route in a single transaction. By September 1, 2027, the office is required to conduct a feasibility study relating to the centralized permitting system and must report to the transportation legislation review committee during the 2027 legislative interim on the completed feasibility study and any progress toward implementing the centralized permitting system. The office is required to implement the centralized permitting system by July 1, 2029, either by creating a new online permitting system or by modifying an existing online permitting system.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED

LLS NO. 26-0773.01 Rebecca Bayetti x4348 HOUSE BILL 26-1248
House Committees Senate Committees
Transportation, Housing & Local Government
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING FREIGHT TRANSPORT, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,101
MODIFYING PERMITTING PROCESSES FOR OVERSIZE AND102
OVERWEIGHT VEHICLES.103
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
Beginning on July 1, 2026, the bill directs state-level permit fees
and supplemental surcharges for oversize and overweight vehicles and
longer vehicle combinations to the freight cash fund (fund), which is
newly created in the office of freight mobility and safety (office) in the
transportation development division of the department of transportation
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Johnson,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Pelton R.,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
(department). The fund is appropriated for use by the office for the
following main purposes:
! For funding freight-related projects; and
! To support the office in functions related to freight
projects, movement, and infrastructure, including the
administrative costs of the office.
In funding freight-related projects from the fund, the office is
required to attempt to direct money in a manner that is proportional to the
amount of freight routes and the impact of freight traffic in the affected
community or region of the state.
The office may also use money in the fund to create and maintain
a centralized online permitting system for oversize permits, overweight
permits, and other types of freight or transport permits issued by the
department, the Colorado state patrol, or any local government. The
centralized permitting system must allow a person to apply for and be
issued all necessary state and local permits for a route in a single
transaction and pay for all associated permit fees and surcharges for that
route in a single transaction. By September 1, 2027, the office is required
to conduct a feasibility study relating to the centralized permitting system
and must report to the transportation legislation review committee during
the 2027 legislative interim on the completed feasibility study and any
progress toward implementing the centralized permitting system. The
office is required to implement the centralized permitting system by July
1, 2029, either by creating a new online permitting system or by
modifying an existing online permitting system.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-505, add (1)(d)2
as follows:3
42-4-505. Longer vehicle combinations - rules.4
(1) (d) FOR PERMIT FEES COLLECTED ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2026,5
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE COLORADO STATE6
PATROL SHALL TRANSMIT ALL PERMIT FEES COLLECTED PURSUANT TO7
SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS SECTION TO THE STATE TREASURER , WHO8
SHALL CREDIT THE PERMIT FEES TO THE FREIGHT CASH FUND CREATED IN9
SECTION 43-1-117 (6).10
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-510, add11
HB26-1248-2-
(11)(c) and (11.5) as follows:1
42-4-510. Permits for excess size and weight and for2
manufactured homes - penalty - rules - definitions.3
(11) (c) (I) F OR PERMIT FEES COLLECTED ON OR AFTER JULY 1,4
2026, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE COLORADO STATE5
PATROL SHALL TRANSMIT ALL PERMIT FEES COLLECTED PURSUANT TO6
SUBSECTION (11)(a) OF THIS SECTION TO THE STATE TREASURER , WHO7
SHALL CREDIT THE PERMIT FEES TO THE FREIGHT CASH FUND CREATED IN8
SECTION 43-1-117 (6).9
(II) T HIS SUBSECTION (11)(c) DOES NOT APPLY TO LOCAL FEES10
IMPOSED BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR LOCAL AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO11
SUBSECTION (11)(b) OF THIS SECTION , WHICH ARE REMITTED TO THE12
APPROPRIATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR LOCAL AUTHORITY.13
(11.5) (I) B EGINNING ON JULY 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT OF14
TRANSPORTATION OR THE COLORADO STATE PATROL MAY CHARGE A15
SUPPLEMENTAL OVERSIZE AND OVERWEIGHT VEHICLE SURCHARGE IN AN16
AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF THE FEE CHARGED PURSUANT TO17
SUBSECTION (11)(a) OF THIS SECTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE SINGLE18
TRIP PERMIT; EXCEPT THAT THE SURCHARGE MUST NOT BE IMPOSED ON A19
VEHICLE IF THE SINGLE TRIP PERMIT FEE WAS IMPOSED PURSUANT TO20
SUBSECTION (11)(a)(VI)(B) OF THIS SECTION.21
(II) THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OR THE COLORADO22
STATE PATROL SHALL COLLECT THE SUPPLEMENTAL OVERSIZE AND23
OVERWEIGHT VEHICLE SURCHARGE AT THE SAME TIME AS IT COLLECTS THE24
SINGLE TRIP PERMIT FEE. THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE25
COLORADO STATE PATROL SHALL TRANSMIT ALL SUPPLEMENTAL26
SURCHARGES COLLECTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (11.5) TO THE27
HB26-1248-3-
STATE TREASURER, WHO SHALL CREDIT THE SUPPLEMENTAL SURCHARGES1
TO THE FREIGHT CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 43-1-117 (6).2
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-4-514 as3
follows:4
42-4-514. Centralized online permitting system - feasibility5
study - office of freight mobility and safety - reporting - rules -6
definitions.7
(1) Definitions. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT8
OTHERWISE REQUIRES:9
(a) "CENTRALIZED PERMITTING SYSTEM" MEANS THE CENTRALIZED10
ONLINE PERMITTING SYSTEM FOR OVERSIZE PERMITS , OVERWEIGHT11
PERMITS, AND OTHER TYPES OF FREIGHT OR TRANSPORT PERMITS ISSUED12
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION , THE COLORADO STATE13
PATROL, OR ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR LOCAL AUTHORITY.14
(b) "O FFICE" MEANS THE OFFICE OF FREIGHT MOBILITY AND15
SAFETY CREATED IN SECTION 43-1-117 (4) IN THE TRANSPORTATION16
DEVELOPMENT DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.17
(2) Centralized permitting system.18
(a) (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2029, THE OFFICE SHALL IMPLEMENT19
AN ONLINE CENTRALIZED PERMITTING SYSTEM TO ALLOW A PERSON TO20
OBTAIN ANY NECESSARY OVERSIZE PERMIT , OVERWEIGHT PERMIT , OR21
OTHER FREIGHT OR TRANSPORT PERMITS FROM A STATE OR LOCAL22
GOVERNMENT OR LOCAL AUTHORITY . THE CENTRALIZED PERMITTING23
SYSTEM MUST ALLOW A PERSON TO APPLY FOR AND BE ISSUED ALL24
NECESSARY STATE AND LOCAL PERMITS FOR A ROUTE IN A SINGLE25
TRANSACTION AND PAY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED PERMIT FEES AND26
SURCHARGES FOR THAT ROUTE IN A SINGLE TRANSACTION.27
HB26-1248-4-
(II) IN IMPLEMENTING THE CENTRALIZED PERMITTING SYSTEM, THE1
OFFICE SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,2
THE COLORADO STATE PATROL, AND APPLICABLE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS3
OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES.4
(III) TO COMPLY WITH THIS SUBSECTION (2)(a), THE OFFICE MAY5
CREATE A NEW ONLINE PERMITTING SYSTEM OR MODIFY AN EXISTING6
ONLINE PERMITTING SYSTEM.7
(b) (I) ALL STATE FEES OR SURCHARGES COLLECTED THROUGH THE8
CENTRALIZED PERMITTING SYSTEM MUST BE TRANSMITTED TO THE STATE9
TREASURER, WHO SHALL CREDIT THE PERMIT FEES TO THE FREIGHT CASH10
FUND CREATED IN SECTION 43-1-117 (6).11
(II) A LL LOCAL FEES COLLECTED THROUGH THE CENTRALIZED12
PERMITTING SYSTEM MUST BE REMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL13
GOVERNMENT OR LOCAL AUTHORITY.14
(c) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER POWERS GRANTED BY LAW , THE15
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, OR THE16
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 'S DESIGNEE , IS AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE AND17
ENTER INTO APPROPRIATE AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND18
LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO FACILITATE THE CENTRALIZED PERMITTING19
SYSTEM.20
(3) Feasibility study.21
(a) NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 2027, THE OFFICE SHALL STUDY22
THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A CENTRALIZED PERMITTING SYSTEM23
AS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION AND EVALUATE24
OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE PERMITTING PROCESSES. 25
(b) D URING THE 2027 LEGISLATIVE INTERIM, THE OFFICE SHALL26
REPORT TO THE TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE27
HB26-1248-5-
CREATED IN SECTION 43-2-145 ON THE COMPLETED FEASIBILITY STUDY1
AND ANY PROGRESS TOWARD IMPLEMENTING THE CENTRALIZED2
PERMITTING SYSTEM.3
(4) Rules. THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MAY ADOPT RULES4
AS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT AND ADMINISTER THIS SECTION.5
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 43-1-117, amend (4);6
and add (6) as follows:7
43-1-117. Transportation development division - created -8
duties - office of freight mobility and safety - freight cash fund -9
repeal.10
(4) The OFFICE OF freight mobility and safety branch is created in11
the transportation development division. The function of the OFFICE OF12
freight mobility and safety branch is to plan, design, and implement13
programs and projects that enhance freight mobility and safety within the14
state. No later than January 1, 2022, the OFFICE OF freight mobility and15
safety branch shall provide to the commission a long-term strategic plan16
that sets forth the vision and goals for the branch OFFICE, key priorities for17
all freight-related programs, activities, and projects, and guidelines for18
coordination between the branch OFFICE and the freight advisory19
committee.20
(6) (a) T HE FREIGHT CASH FUND IS CREATED IN THE STATE21
TREASURY. THE FUND CONSISTS OF THE PERMIT FEES CREDITED TO THE22
FUND PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 42-4-505 (1)(d) AND 42-4-510 (11)(c), THE23
SUPPLEMENTAL OVERSIZE AND OVERWEIGHT SURCHARGES CREDITED TO24
THE FUND PURSUANT TO SECTION 42-4-510 (11.5), AND ANY OTHER25
MONEY THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY APPROPRIATE OR TRANSFER26
TO THE FUND.27
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(b) T HE STATE TREASURER SHALL CREDIT ALL INTEREST AND1
INCOME DERIVED FROM THE DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF MONEY IN THE2
FREIGHT CASH FUND TO THE FUND.3
(c) (I) M ONEY IN THE FREIGHT CASH FUND IS CONTINUOUSLY4
APPROPRIATED TO THE OFFICE OF FREIGHT MOBILITY AND SAFETY FOR THE5
FOLLOWING PURPOSES:6
(A) T O CONDUCT THE FEASIBILITY ST UDY AND SUPPORT THE7
IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A CENTRALIZED ONLINE8
PERMITTING SYSTEM PURSUANT TO SECTION 42-4-514;9
(B) FOR FUNDING FREIGHT-RELATED PROJECTS; AND10
(C) TO SUPPORT THE OFFICE IN FUNCTIONS RELATED TO FREIGHT11
PROJECTS , MOVEMENT , AND INFRASTRUCTURE , INCLUDING THE12
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE OFFICE.13
(II) IN FUNDING FREIGHT-RELATED PROJECTS FROM THE FUND, THE14
OFFICE SHALL ATTEMPT TO DIRECT MONEY IN A MANNER THAT IS15
PROPORTIONAL TO THE AMOUNT OF FREIGHT ROUTES AND THE IMPACT OF16
FREIGHT TRAFFIC IN THE AFFECTED COMMUNITY OR REGION OF THE STATE.17
(d) THE FREIGHT CASH FUND IS EXEMPT FROM THE LIMITATIONS18
SET FORTH IN SECTION 24-75-402.19
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 43-4-804, amend20
(1)(c)(I); and add (1)(c)(III) as follows:21
43-4-804. Highway safety projects - surcharges, fees, and fines22
- crediting of money to highway users tax fund - rules - definitions -23
repeal.24
(1) The following surcharges, fees, and fines shall be collected25
and credited to the highway users tax fund created in section 43-4-20126
(1)(a) and allocated to the st ate highway fund, counties, and27
HB26-1248-7-
municipalities as specified in section 43-4-205 (6.3):1
(c) (I) O N AND BEFORE JUNE 30, 2026, a supplemental oversize2
and overweight vehicle surcharge in an amount equal to the amount of the3
fee charged pursuant to section 42-4-510 (11)(a) C.R.S., by the4
department or the Colorado state patrol for the issuance of the single trip5
permit; except that the surcharge shall not be imposed on a vehicle if the6
single trip permit fee was imposed pursuant to section 42-4-5107
(11)(a)(VI)(B). C.R.S.8
(III) THIS SUBSECTION (1)(c) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1,9
2027.10
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-75-402, amend11
(5)(mmm) and (5)(nnn); and add (5)(ooo) as follows:12
24-75-402. Cash funds - limit on uncommitted reserves -13
reduction in the amount of fees - exclusions - definitions.14
(5) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary,15
the following cash funds are excluded from the limitations specified in16
this section:17
(mmm) The reentry services for justice-involved individuals18
reinvestment cash fund created in section 25.5-4-505.7; and19
(nnn) The health-related social needs reinvestment cash fund20
created in section 25.5-5-340; AND21
(ooo) THE FREIGHT CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 43-1-117 (6).22
SECTION 7. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,23
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate24
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for25
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state26
institutions.27
HB26-1248-8-