DUMONT, Colo. — For most drivers, weigh stations along Colorado’s highways remain a mystery.
To mark the Colorado State Patrol’s 90th anniversary, FOX31’s Nicole Fierro explored various aspects of the agency, including a behind-the-scenes look inside these weigh stations.
From Interstate 70 drives to inspecting the largest trucks on the road, Colorado State Patrol Port of Entry Officer Zachary Miller makes the trip from Monument to the Dumont Port of Entry and back four times a week. His commute is more than 80 miles each way.
“I really like the team that’s up here. They’re the biggest reason why I’m staying,” Miller said.
Miller joined the CSP academy at 19 and is now celebrating three years at the Dumont Port of Entry.
“We get about 500 to 700 trucks coming through every single day,” Miller said. “Last winter season, this port alone issued over a thousand tickets for trucks without chains.”
Checking chains in harsh conditions is only one part of the job.
“The biggest thing is checking weights, making sure trucks stay within interstate weight limits so they’re not damaging the road,” Miller said. “We also inspect trucks daily to make sure they’re safe on the roadway and nothing’s breaking.”
During the visit, FOX31 observed inspections on trucks carrying everything from winterizing materials to hazardous fluids. Some truckers also stopped to ask for directions.
“We get a lot of drivers who’ve never been through here,” Miller said. “We educate them—tell them what to do in the mountains, watch for weather, things like that. It’s all about helping keep them safe, especially through these mountains.”
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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