You’ll Need More Than a License to Drive Safely in Colorado

Your car, like yourself, needs to be prepared for a Denver winter. If you have a 4WD vehicle with antilock brakes, that will be extremely helpful in making you a more confident winter driver. You may want to consider getting all-season tires or studded snow tires. Be especially wary of our infamous “black ice” which occurs when snow falls on a warm street and freezes overnight into a nearly invisible sheet of ice. When there’s snow on the streets, driving slowly is the best strategy. You might also consider joining a roadside service club, such as AAA.

With significant snowfall, the city sends out plows to clear the streets and spray them with magnesium chloride (mag chlor), a chemical which does an excellent job of melting snow, but plays havoc with your car’s undercoating and paint job. Plan to wash your car frequently during the winter.

You should keep the following winter necessities in your car:

• Ice scraper
• Jumper cables
• Refill bottles of window washer fluid
• Emergency water and snack food
• Space blanket