CDOT prepares for potential blizzard conditions expected tonight along Front Range and eastern plains

January 21, 2019 - Denver Metro Area - Motorists urged to stay off roads after sundown on impacted areas

DENVER — A winter storm is sweeping over the mountains this afternoon with heavy snow and high winds hitting the Front Range and eastern plains tonight.  Four areas of concern with possible closures depending on the intensity blizzard conditions, including heavy snow of up to ten inches and high winds of 40 to 50 miles per hour:

  • I-25 at Palmer Divide (Monument to Castle Rock)

  • I-70 east of Limon

  • I-76 east by the Nebraska border

  • C-470 foothills

What motorists need to know:

  • Expect to see CDOT conducting a variety of operations to ensure safe travel, including safety closures if needed and echelon plowing.  Stay well behind the plows and do not pass them.

  • Given the conditions and potential escalation of the storm, CDOT strongly urges motorists to be off the impacted roads by sundown.

  • Don’t be on the roads without proper tires, winter gear and other items such as food, water and blankets just in case you get stuck in a closure.

  • Know the latest road conditions by going to cotrip.org.

The winter storm has started in the mountains with the four areas above to see expected blizzard conditions in the evening lasting overnight and lingering through tomorrow morning’s commute.   

CDOT crews:

They are plowing in the mountains currently.  Crews on the Front Range are pre-treating roads, particularly on the I-25 corridor in the Lincoln area and south of Denver to Monument as well as C-470 and other areas.   Once the winter storm hits, their focus is to keep interstates plowed and cleared as much as possible before moving to the less traveled roads.

 

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

The traveling public may also visit the CDOT website at www.codot.gov; sign up for GovDelivery alerts; and follow CDOT on Twitter and Facebook (though the latter may not provide the most up-to-date news and conditions).