CDOT Crews Ready for Front Range's First Snowfall of the Season

Oct. 8, 2017—Check your tires and prepare your vehicles for winter driving.


DENVER—With the first snowfall to hit the Front Range late tonight through tomorrow, CDOT crews, plows, equipment and materials are ready to go to remove snow and ice from state-maintained roadways.

Snow-packed and icy roads are expected to develop tonight in the northern and central mountains, with slushy and icy roads Monday morning across the Front Range urban corridor—from the Denver Metro area to Colorado Springs. Road conditions should improve by tomorrow evening's commute as the snow ends in the late afternoon.

In the Denver Metro area today, CDOT crews began rotating 12-hour shifts, and will work around the clock until the snow ends and roads are in good shape. Crews will continuously remove snow and treat roads, with interstates as the first priority.

I-25 Monument Hill, south of Castle Rock:
Due to the high elevation of this road and limited shoulders, conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Avoid this area if possible during a snowstorm. Even with treated pavement, there will be slick conditions and it doesn't take much for spin-outs to occur on this stretch of interstate.

Critical Info for Motorists

  • Be sure you have good snow tires.
    How do you know if you need new snow tires? Insert a quarter into the tire tread upside down, with Washington's head going in first. (Do this test in multiple points around each tire.) If the top of George's head is covered by the tread, your tires are OK. If the top of his head is visible at any point, you need new tires.
  • Limit travel during the height of snow, and give yourself extra time for tomorrow morning's commute.
    Peak snowfall rates are expected from 4 to 7 a.m. Light snow showers could still impact the evening commute from 3 to 6 p.m.
  • DO NOT pass CDOT plows and stay a safe distance behind; give them the room they need to clear and treat roads.
  • Be aware that CDOT's first priority is to treat and plow interstates, the most heavily traveled roads.
  • Know before you go and check out the following info sources:

CDOT's Denver Metro Maintenance Coverage Areas

Denver metro area crews maintain 5,800 highway lane miles across Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin and Jefferson counties.