We wrote about this back in February when the bill was driving through the legislature (obviously with all-wheel drive, thick treads, and chains). This new law isn’t as much about public safety as it is about revenue.
Some of us grew up in Colorado in the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and even ’90s when 4-wheel or all-wheel drive wasn’t as prevalent. Snow tires weren’t as technologically advanced. How the heck did we get around in the mountains?!?!
Oh yeah, we drove, dealt with it and survived on bald tires. But now thank God government is protecting us from this new weird type of snow we have here in Colorado! For those of you who aren’t picking up on the sarcasm, we’re confident snowballs today can be made from the same type of snow as past decades.
Here’s a problem we haven’t discussed – low-income people. Why should you care? Well, the legislature has been pushing subsidized housing for lower wage earners (like servers in restaurants) so they can afford to live in or close to expensive housing markets like Vail. This bill isn’t just a pain for people traveling the 127 mile stretch of I-70, it really hurts the poor.
Even then, many people still are forced to live miles away in places like Gypsum. So, are these people able to afford All-wheel Drive or quality snow tires? Probably not.
Government tries to solve a problem, then creates a problem – it’s all part of the rouse.
Did we mention that chains on dry (or wet) pavement really chew up the road? If you’ve driven I-70 lately, you know it’s chewed up enough.
We’d like to make the statement that Democrats actually hate the poor, but 2 Republicans co-sponsored this bill. Plus a couple of Republicans in the House voted for it (none of them from the Western Slope who actually use I-70).
Elections matter, except when they don’t…
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