Independence Pass is Temporarily Closed

LAKE/PITKIN COUNTIES – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has temporarily closed Independence Pass today, October 25, at 9:00 A.M., due to the current snowfall, adverse conditions and the winter storm forecasts. This closure includes the area from just east of Aspen to west of Twin Lakes, approximately 18 miles.

According to National Weather Service winter storm warning, snowfall is expected continue at least into mid-day Tuesday. The storm is predicted to bring strong winds, making travel across Independence Pass—and other high-elevation highways—hazardous or impossible.

A re-opening of the pass will depend upon the results of the storm and whether it’s feasible and safe to open it again before the pass’s regularly scheduled seasonal closure of November 7 at 2:00 PM (which lands on a Sunday this year.)

Motorists are encouraged to check CDOT’s traveler information site at www.cotrip.org, under Alerts and Restrictions to determine the status of this closure, as well as conditions on other seasonal passes and state highways. For road condition information, the public may also call 511 from anywhere in the state.

The 12,095-foot pass is closed for the winter every year for the safety of the traveling public. It is often closed temporarily before the goal date—last year, the pass closed for the season on November 7. Each spring, CDOT plans the opening of Independence Pass for Memorial Day weekend in May, weather permitting. The alternate route to Aspen during the months Independence Pass is closed is I-70 to Glenwood Springs, and SH 82 into Aspen.