My car broke down on the highway! What should I do?

Whether you have a flat tire, need a jump start or are facing minor mechanical issues, CDOT’s Safety Patrol team can help you get back on the road.

By: Stacia Sellers, CDOT Strategic Communications Lead, Major Projects and Operations

Highway heroes

Finding a way out of a high-stress situation, such as being stuck on the side of a highway, can feel hopeless for many people. That’s why CDOT has a designated program to help motorists navigate sticky situations safely and efficiently. Operating along sections of Colorado's highways, including the metro area and the I-70 Mountain Corridor, CDOT’s Safety Patrol Program provides free roadside assistance to more than 40,000 motorists annually in their designated patrol areas during peak travel times. The program, sponsored by GEICO and Colorado Express Lanes, is a key aspect of the Division of Maintenance and Operations (DMO) and plays a crucial role in Traffic Incident Management (TIM).

How can I benefit from Safety Patrol’s services? How do they improve the overall transportation system in Colorado?

Since 1992, our team has driven over five million miles and responded to more than 500,000 incidents throughout Colorado. In addition to offering free roadside assistance services, this vital program under the DMO umbrella also supports law enforcement officers and first responders with traffic control and incident clearance by removing dangerous obstacles from the road and keeping motorists informed about upcoming hazards using emergency lighting. These responsibilities are essential for safeguarding both motorists and first responders asthey help reduce traffic congestion caused by breakdowns and minor incidents, and prevent secondary crashes from occurring.

“We are committed to serving the traveling public,” said CDOT Incident Response Team Supervisor Peter Igel. “We find great joy in helping others along their journey. When somebody’s having their worst day, we want to be there to make it better.”

CDOT Safety Patrol crew assisting motorist with a flat tire on the side of a Colorado highway.
CDOT's Safety Patrol team provides roadside assistance for non-emergency situations, such as flat tires, jump starts or minor mechanical issues.

My car broke down in Colorado, and I need roadside assistance. Can the CDOT Safety Patrol team help me?
If you need roadside assistance in a non-emergency situation, please check the patrol area map and hours of operation below to see if our crew can help you:

Front Range Metro CDOT Safety Patrol

Hours of Operation
Weekdays

  • 6 to 9:30 a.m. or 2:30 to 7 p.m. (Peak Period)
  • 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Non-Peak Period)

Weekends

  • 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

I-70 Mountain Corridor CDOT Safety Patrol & Heavy Tow

CDOT continues to offer this service on the I-70 Mountain Corridor between Morrison and Vail to all motorists, including commercial vehicles.

Hours of Operation

  • 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday to Sunday and during significant weather events

Patrol Area Map

Map showing the Front Range Metro Patrol area along I-25 from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, covering the Denver Metro area, and I-70 from US 285 to Vail. It also includes the I-70 Mountain Patrol area between Morrison and Vail.
Map of CDOT Safety Patrol Front Range Metro and I-70 Mountain Patrol areas.


Although Safety Patrol crews may occasionally be the first to respond to incidents, they are not emergency responders. If you experience an emergency and need immediate assistance, always call 911. If you find yourself stranded on the road within one of the patrol areas during normal operating hours, our crew will stop to see if they can assist you. There is no hotline to request support from our Safety Patrol crew, so please turn on your hazards and move your vehicle to a safe area as far from traffic as possible and wait for help to arrive.

Coloradans helping Coloradans.

Much of the work done at CDOT’s DMO often goes unnoticed or unrecognized by the traveling public, but the impact is undeniable. The same is true for the Safety Patrol team, whose responsibilities extend far beyond changing tires or jump-starting vehicles. This team takes pride in preserving the human element of helping people and is dedicated to assisting Colorado motorists get to their destinations safely.

Learn more about the CDOT Safety Patrol Program and how they may be able to assist you at codot.gov/programs/dmo/real-time-operations/tim/safetypatrol.

*Disclaimer: The CDOT Safety Patrol program is not authorized to assist in insurance claims.

About the Author:

Picture of Stacia Sellers, CDOT Strategic Communications Lead, Major Projects and Operations
Stacia Sellers was born and raised in Colorado and works to tell the stories of CDOT’s Division of Maintenance and Operations and the state’s major transportation projects.