Seasonal · Craig, CO
Snow Tire Installation
Stopping distance on ice is everything. We mount and balance your winter tires and store the off-season set so the swap is easy.
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Years, since 1985
Mile warranty
Quick answer
Are snow tires worth it in Colorado?
Yes. In the Yampa Valley, dedicated snow tires dramatically shorten stopping distance and improve traction on snow and ice compared to all-seasons, especially below 45 degrees. They are one of the best safety upgrades for winter mountain driving. We mount, balance, and can store your seasonal set.
What's included
- Winter and studded snow tire installation
- Mounting, balancing, and TPMS service
- Seasonal tire changeover and storage
- Tread and traction recommendations
Colorado's traction law, and what your tires must be
During winter storms CDOT activates the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law, and it can do so on any state highway, which includes the roads that connect Craig to everywhere else. When it is active, CDOT lists only two ways to comply: an AWD or 4WD vehicle on winter, mud-and-snow (M+S) or manufacturer all-weather rated tires with at least 3/16-inch of tread, or chains or an approved alternative traction device. Under the current rules a two-wheel-drive vehicle cannot comply on tires alone, so carry chains or an approved device in winter.
Non-compliance carries a $100 fine plus surcharge, and far more if you cause a lane closure. A proper winter set, mounted before the first storm, means the law is simply never your problem.
Swap early, and let us handle the juggling
The right time to mount winter tires is before you need them: once daytime temperatures sit near freezing, usually late October here. The first real storm fills every tire bay in the valley at once, so booking early gets you swapped on your schedule instead of the weather's.
We mount and balance the winter set, service the TPMS sensors so the pressure warnings stay honest, and store your off-season tires so the changeover is a quick stop twice a year instead of a garage full of rubber.
Built for the Yampa Valley
Between Craig, the passes, and long cold commutes, winter tires are a genuine safety upgrade here, not a nicety. We help you run the right set before the first storm.
Why Chapman's for this
- Free digital inspection with photos
- Transparent pricing, quoted before we start
- Loaner cars, shuttle & pickup
- 5yr / 50,000-mile warranty
What customers say
“They get my truck in within a day and are always transparent about cost and timelines. Quick turnaround every time.”
Jordan R.
Verified customer
“My Mercedes van hit a deer north of Craig. They towed it in and had us back on the road in two days. Lifesavers.”
Tim S.
Verified customer
“They've been taking excellent care of us for many years. I started with JB's dad back in 1985. Three generations of trust.”
Sally T.
Verified customer
Frequently asked questions
Before the first hard freeze, usually late October locally. Book early; the busy season fills up fast.
Yes, we can store your off-season set so you are not stacking tires in the garage and the seasonal swap is quick.
When CDOT activates it, which can happen on any state highway during storms, AWD and 4WD vehicles need winter, M+S or all-weather rated tires with 3/16-inch tread; otherwise, including any two-wheel-drive vehicle, you need chains or an approved traction device. CDOT lists the fine as $100 plus a surcharge.
Four-wheel drive helps you go; it does not help you stop or turn on ice. Winter tire compounds and tread are what shorten stopping distance. A 4x4 on worn all-seasons still slides, which is why the traction law only accepts AWD and 4WD on rated tires with 3/16-inch of tread.
For AWD and 4WD vehicles, Colorado's traction law sets the floor at 3/16-inch when the law is active, noticeably more than the 2/32-inch general replacement point, because snow traction fades as tread shrinks. We measure your set each fall and tell you honestly whether it has another season in it.
Yes, TPMS service is part of the changeover, so your pressure monitoring keeps working correctly on both sets year round.
Many drivers run the winter set on dedicated wheels: the seasonal swap gets faster, and the tires avoid the extra mounting and dismounting wear each year. We can talk through whether it makes sense for your vehicle.
Yes. Between the grades, the ice, and the distances between towns, stopping distance is the number that matters most in a Yampa Valley winter, and dedicated winter rubber is the single biggest improvement you can make to it.
Page last reviewed October 5, 2026.
Sources: CDOT: the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law's tire and tread requirements
Ready for Snow Tire Installation?
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