​The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Gold Run Area is located within Valley Division in the rural, mountainous region east of  Sacramento along the Interstate 80 corridor and serves the unincorporated areas of eastern Placer County and portions of southern Nevada County. The Area’s jurisdiction extends from the Canyon Way exit (Illinois Town over crossing) in the city of Colfax to the Kingvale exit which lies approximately six miles west of Donner Summit. This portion of Interstate 80 traverses the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range with elevations varying between 2400-6200 feet. The higher elevations give the Gold Run Area extra challenges that include working in difficult terrain and inclement weather, including heavy snow and chain control restrictions  during the winter months, which can be cause for treacherous and hazardous road conditions.

Gold Run Area officers patrol 38 miles of I-80, a five mile section of State Route 20, a two mile section of State Route 174, and approximately 238 miles of paved highways in the adjoining unincorporated areas. There are also several areas of off-highway vehicle activity, including unpaved Forest Service roads, old logging roads, and fishing/camping access roads, that occasionally require CHP service.

Approximately 500,000 passenger vehicles and 100,000 commercial vehicles travel Interstate 80 on a monthly basis. The Gold Run Area utilizes on going enforcement activities targeting seatbelt law compliance, speeding, rules of the road violations, and impaired driver detection.

Public education programs are also provided to increase public awareness of these areas of concern and our commitment to safety and service.