Minimal Highway Impacts for Colorado Classic this week
DENVER — The third annual Colorado Classic, a four-stage women’s professional bicycle race, gets underway in Steamboat Springs on Thursday, Aug. 22, and ends in Denver on Sunday, Aug. 25. Although highway impacts will be minimal, as with previous world-class professional cycling events, the Colorado Department of Transportation will be doing its part to maintain safety for both participants and spectators on and off the state highway system.
“Our traffic, maintenance and communication personnel and resources will be working collectively 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 Shoshana Lew. “Our Whole System – Whole Safety initiative is not only about the day-to- day usage of CDOT assets but also extends to maintaining a safe environment when our highway system is part of a world-class event such as this.”
CDOT’s website – www.cotrip.org - will be assisting motorists traveling the various state and local roadways that are part of the 220-mile race route. Information will include road closure and opening times, anticipated delays and parking information. Please be aware that delay and closure times are estimates only and subject to change depending on the pace of the race, weather, and other unanticipated conditions.
For real-time information regarding highway impacts, motorists can sign up for travel alerts via email and text by visiting www.cotrip.org. Following CDOT on Facebook and Twitter (@coloradodot) also can provide updated information.
CDOT will distribute race information the morning of each stage, with any necessary updates regarding impacts to the state highway system and, when necessary, to local roads. Drivers should be prepared for delays and/or detours at all locations where a roadway intersects with a race route. However, bicycles and pedestrians will be allowed on all roads, at all times, regardless of closures to vehicular traffic.
THE FOUR STAGES
All times listed below are approximate. (CLOSED - state highway system)
- Thursday, Aug. 22/Stage 1/Steamboat Springs Stage Race
From Steamboat Springs to Oak Creek to Steamboat Springs
Race is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Road closures begin at 10:45 a.m.
CLOSED: Northbound and southbound off-ramps from U.S. 40 to Mount Werner Road (Closure: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 12:45 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.).
State Highway 131 between County Road 14E and County Road 14 (Closure: 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
State Highway 131 through Oak Creek – between County Roads 14 & 27 (Closure: 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.)
- Friday, Aug. 23/Stage 2/Avon Circuit Race
Town of Avon
Race is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Road closures begin at 12 p.m.
CLOSED: Eastbound and westbound U.S. 6 between Beaver Creek and Post boulevards (Closure: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, Aug. 24/Stage 3/Golden Circuit Race
City of Golden
Race is from 11:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Road closures begin at 10:45 a.m.
CLOSED: Eastbound off-ramp from State Highway 58 to McIntyre Street. Westbound off-ramp from State Highway 58 to McIntyre Street reduced to one lane. (Closure: 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 25/Stage 4/Denver Circuit Race
Between downtown Denver and City Park
Race is from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Road closures begin at 12:30 p.m.
NO impacts to the state highway system.
In addition to www.cotrip.org, additional spectator and road closure information is available at the Colorado Classic website at www.coloradoclassic.com/.
Whole System - Whole Safety
To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System. Whole Safety initiative. This project takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving safety conditions for those traveling by all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission - to get everyone home safely.
ABOUT CDOT
CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.
