Colorado Bicycle Classic to Bring World-Class Race, Traffic Impacts to Denver Aug. 16-19

Aug. 9, 2018 -


DENVER—The Second Annual Colorado Classic—a four-stage men and women's professional bicycle race—gets underway in Vail on Thursday, Aug. 16, and ends in Denver on Sunday, Aug. 19. As with past world-class professional cycling events, CDOT will be doing its part to maintain safety for both participants and spectators along the state highway system.

Travelers can visit COtrip.org—CDOT's travel information site—to find the latest traffic updates on highways that are part of the 330-mile race route. Information will include road closure and opening times, anticipated delays and parking information. Delay and closure times are estimates only and subject to change depending on the pace of the race, weather and other unanticipated conditions.

"It's not just our electronic resources but it's also our traffic, maintenance and communication personnel that are doing what's necessary to make sure the Colorado Classic is as safe and successful as possible for riders, spectators and support personnel, while minimizing impacts to motorists," said CDOT Executive Director Michael Lewis. "Bicycling is an important part of the state's outdoor recreational economy and CDOT is proud to do its part to enhance all of the various aspects of cycling in Colorado."

CDOT will distribute race information the morning of each stage, with any necessary updates regarding impacts to the state highway system.

The Four Stages

Thursday, Aug. 16/Stage 1/Vail Circuit Race

  • Between West Vail and East Vail
  • Women's race from approximately 10 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. (4 laps)
  • Men's race from approximately 12:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. (7 laps)
  • Lane closures begin at 9 a.m. and end at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Drivers should be prepared for lane and road closures and traffic shifts after exiting I-70 at the Vail Village interchange (exit 176), and along the South Frontage Road.

Friday, Aug. 17/Stage 2/Vail Pass Time Trial

  • From Vail Village to Vail Pass
  • Women's Race from approximately 10 a.m. to noon
  • Men's Race from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Road closures begin at 8:30 a.m. and end around 3 p.m.

I-70 East Vail interchange: eastbound and westbound off-ramps closed
Other closures include South Frontage Road East, I-70 Frontage Road, Big Horn Road and Ten Mile Road.

Saturday, Aug. 18/Stage 3/Denver – Jefferson County Stage Race (Men)

  • From downtown Denver to Jefferson County and back to downtown Denver
  • Women's Race from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. (Velorama in RINO District)
  • Men's Race from approximately 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Road closures/detours begin in the RINO District on Friday afternoon, Aug. 17, and end on Sunday evening, Aug. 19. Lookout Mountain Road closes at 6 a.m.

Drivers should be prepared for the following road and ramp closures, and traffic stops of varying duration along adjoining streets from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. Roads and ramps will reopen when the final race support vehicle passes each location. An asterisk (*) indicates route or location will be used as both the westbound and eastbound race route and will be closed for the entire race, or will be closed, reopened, and then closed again as the race heads back to downtown Denver.

  • Ramps from I-25 to 20th Street*
  • West 29th Avenue to Wadsworth Boulevard*
  • Wadsworth Boulevard between W. 29th Avenue & W. 32nd Avenue*
  • West 32nd Avenue between Wadsworth Blvd. and Golden*
  • Ramps from I-70 to Youngfield – 32nd Avenue
  • Ramps from U.S. 6 to 19th Street (Lookout Mountain)
  • U.S. 40 between Lookout Mountain Road and Morrison Road
  • Ramps from I-70 to Morrison Road (County Road 93)
  • CR 93 between I-70 and entrance to Red Rocks*
  • Roads through Red Rocks*
  • CO. 74 from entrance to Red Rocks to Evergreen (CR 73)* NOTE: Eastbound race route will travel on CO 74 from Parmalee Gulch Road to Red Rocks entrance
  • CR 73 from Evergreen to Conifer
  • US 285 eastbound at Parmalee Gulch Road
  • Other road closures: Jefferson County
    • Pleasant Park Road
    • High Grade Road
    • Deer Creek Road
    • South Deer Creek Canyon Road
    • South Turkey Creek Road
    • Parmalee Gulch Road
    • W. Alameda Parkway
    • Union Boulevard/Simms Street

Sunday, Aug. 19/Stage 4/Denver Circuit Race

  • Between RINO neighborhood and City Park
  • Women's race from approximately 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Men's race from approximately 12:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
  • Road closures/detours begin in downtown Denver and RINO District on Friday afternoon, Aug. 17, and end on Sunday evening, Aug. 19.

CLOSED: Off-ramps from northbound and southbound I-25 to 20th Street from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Road closures for streets crossing race route on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Includes Market/Walnut, 19th, 20th, 21st, 33rd, Lincoln and Grant streets, 17th Avenue, City Park and surrounding local streets.

Learn more about the race on the Colorado Classic website.

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