Colorado's dedicated hot shot hiring marketplace — DJ Basin to Piceance.
The Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin stretches across northeastern Colorado —
Weld County (Greeley, Evans, Windsor) is the core, with
Adams County and Larimer County adding supplementary
drilling activity. The DJ Basin's Niobrara Shale and Codell formations have made
Weld County one of the top-producing oil counties in the US. Short-haul loads from
well pads to Greeley terminals are the bread and butter; longer runs hit Denver and Fort Collins.
The Piceance Basin in western Colorado — centered on
Garfield County (Rifle, Parachute, Silt) and
Mesa County (Grand Junction) — is Colorado's largest natural gas basin.
Williams Fork and Mancos Shale gas hauls run longer distances and often cross
the I-70 mountain corridor, adding weather complexity from
October through April.
Common Colorado hot shot loads include:
- Drill pipe, casing, and tubing for Niobrara and Codell DJ Basin wells
- Compressor skids and gathering system equipment for Piceance gas operations
- Wellhead assemblies and BOP components for both basins
- Frac equipment, flow-back tanks, and production tubing
- Valves, fittings, and pipe for Piceance gathering infrastructure
DJ Basin loads average $2.00–$2.20/mile for standard Weld County hauls.
Piceance Basin loads run $2.10–$2.40/mile. Mountain corridor time-critical
runs hit $2.60+/mile. HotRig surfaces only loads at $2.00+/mile from
pre-vetted Colorado operators.
Hot shot trucking in Colorado — answers
What rates do Colorado DJ Basin hot shot loads pay?
DJ Basin hot shot loads average
$2.00–$2.20/mile for Niobrara and
Codell equipment hauls in Weld and Adams counties. Piceance Basin loads run
$2.10–$2.40/mile for natural gas equipment and compressor hauls
in Garfield and Mesa counties. Mountain corridor time-critical runs (Rifle–Rangely
or I-70 mountain crossings) hit
$2.60+/mile. Active Colorado
operators gross
$2,500–$3,500/week working both basins.
Browse current Colorado rates →
Do I need a CDL to run hot shot loads in Colorado?
Colorado follows federal CDL thresholds — non-CDL operations are permitted under
26,001 lb GCWR. Most DJ Basin and Piceance equipment hauls exceed
this for heavier wellhead assemblies, compressor skids, and BOP equipment, requiring
a Class A CDL. CDOT oversized/overweight permits are required for
loads exceeding 14 ft wide, 14.5 ft tall, or 105 ft long — common for compressor
skids and prefabricated wellsite structures. Many Colorado operators prefer CDL
drivers to handle the full load range. HotRig flags loads requiring CDL.
What are the I-70 mountain pass conditions for Colorado hot shot drivers?
I-70 through Glenwood Canyon and the Eisenhower–Johnson Tunnel
(Loveland Pass) is the primary route connecting Front Range to Piceance Basin.
CDOT issues Traction Law and chain requirements
regularly November through April — and closes Glenwood Canyon entirely for rock
slides or severe weather. Drivers running Grand Junction or Rifle loads must monitor
COtrip.org before departure and carry chains. Alternate: US-40 through Steamboat
Springs adds 2+ hours but avoids canyon closures. Budget time windows
accordingly — operators know the canyon and factor it into expected arrival.
Where are the main hot shot hubs in Colorado?
Colorado runs two distinct clusters.
DJ Basin (eastern CO): Greeley (Weld County — DJ Basin epicenter,
most active drilling area), Fort Collins (Larimer County — northern DJ staging),
Brighton and Longmont (Adams County — southern DJ access).
Piceance Basin (western CO): Grand Junction (Mesa County —
western Colorado hub and main Piceance staging city), Rifle (Garfield County —
Piceance Basin staging town, closest city to active plays), Rangely
(Rio Blanco County — remote northwest CO field access). Cross-basin runs
(Greeley to Rifle) are 4–5 hours and command the best rates.
How does HotRig work for Colorado drivers?
Sign up, set your location (Greeley, Grand Junction,
Rifle, or anywhere in Colorado oil and gas country) and your equipment type.
HotRig pushes DJ Basin and Piceance Basin loads directly to your phone —
no hunting load boards. Every load is $2.00+/mile from pre-vetted operators.
Payment in 24 hours. No 30–60 day broker delays.
Two basins, one platform.
HotRig connects Colorado operators to drivers who know the mountain west.
Free to post. Free to sign up. No recruiter cut.