TRAVEL ALERT UPDATE: CDOT opens CO 82/Independence Pass today

October 31, 2017 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - Winter driving conditions to be expected

LAKE/PITKIN COUNTIES –Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crews were up early this morning plowing and sanding Independence Pass in an effort to open the road to traffic.  As of 10:00 a.m. today Independence Pass is open. Crews will monitor the weather conditions daily to determine if the pass can stay open. A safety closure was implemented last night due to inclement weather forecasted for the higher elevations.

“This is going to be a day-to-day operation and so motorists should check our traveler information website for the most up to date information on whether we have Indy open or not,” said Tim Holbrook, CDOT Maintenance Supervisor. “Several sections of the highway saw 6-8” of new snow last night.”

Motorists are encouraged to check for updates on the status of Independence Pass at www.COTRIP.org. Click on the Travel Alert tab/Statewide Alerts/CO 82.

Closure dates for the past six years:

2011 November 2

2012 November 9

2013 November 4

2014 November 12

2015 November 4

2016 November 17

NOTE FOR MOTORISTS: The pass typically remains open until the first week of November each year before the gates are closed on both the Aspen and Twin Lakes side of the pass.  Typically the pass is reopened on the Thursday prior to Memorial Day weekend, always weather permitting.

Independence Pass was carved out of the land by glaciers and the erosive action of the Roaring Fork River over thousands of years. It is the site of the first road in the Roaring Fork Valley, which was pioneered over Hunter Pass, the original name of Independence Pass, in 1881. An old stage road still remains visible from several locations. The road was built in its current location in 1927 and was paved in 1967.

ALTERNATE ROUTE: The alternate route to Aspen during the months the pass is closed is I-70 to Glenwood Springs, and CO 82 into Aspen.

TRAVELER ALERTS: Motorists are encouraged to check for updates on the status of Independence Pass at, www.cotrip.org  or by calling 511 from anywhere in the state. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” us on Facebook.

Independence Pass on 10/31/2017