TRAVEL ADVISORY: Winter Weather System May Cause Hazardous Conditions in the Southwest High Country

February 9, 2018 - Southwestern-South Central Colorado/CDOT Region 5

 

SOUTHWEST & S-CENTRAL COLORADO – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) advises motorists that a winter weather system is moving into southwest and south-central Colorado and may cause hazardous driving conditions, especially over high mountain passes.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for upper elevations of southwest and south-central Colorado. The NWS forecast will have maintenance crews out pretreating roadways beginning tonight (Friday). Once snow begins to accumulate throughout the weekend, snow plows will be out clearing the roads.

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Motorists traveling over mountain passes may experience intermittent delays to allow for maintenance operations throughout the weekend and through Tuesday, Feb. 13.  Travelers are urged to watch for snow equipment, maintenance crews and avalanche control crews working on the mountain pass highways.

High mountain highways, which may be impacted, include:

  • US Highway 550 Red Mountain, Molas and Coal Bank Passes

  • US 160 Wolf Creek and La Veta Passes

  • US 50 Monarch Pass

  • US 285 Poncha Pass

  • CO 145 Lizard Head Pass

  • CO 17 Cumbres and La Manga Passes

STAY INFORMED: Road and weather conditions are available by dialing 511, 303-639-1111, or visiting www.cotrip.org. Also available on the COtrip site are:

For other resources, the public can also access online: