Virtual public engagement begins for Vail Pass Rest Area Replacement Project

News Release

February 5, 2021 - Northwestern Colorado - Community invited to submit comments

EAGLE & SUMMIT COUNTIES - The Interstate 70 Vail Pass Rest Area serves a growing number of motorists, commercial operators, recreationalists and local travelers. After years of heavy use, the Vail Pass Rest Area facility is inadequate and no longer meets the needs of its users.

To better serve customers, the Colorado Department of Transportation is in the design phase of the Vail Pass Rest Area Replacement Project. The purpose of the project is to increase restroom user capacity, update the existing drinking water treatment system, increase parking capacity for all users, improve traffic circulation, accessibility and safety. Improvements will include better connectivity with nearby popular recreation opportunities.

CDOT invites the public to view and submit feedback on the proposed alternatives and review process. Please see further below for background information and goals for the project.

WHAT: Virtual public engagement period gathering feedback and questions.
A PDF presentation of the proposed alternatives and review process of the Vail Pass Rest Area Replacement Project is available for viewing. Comments and questions can be submitted via survey. Additional options for submitting feedback are detailed below.

WHEN: Comments will be received until Saturday, February 20, 2021. 

WHERE: Virtual public engagement page on the Vail Pass Replacement Rest Area website:

https://www.codot.gov/projects/vailpassrestareastudy/vail-pass-rest-area-replacement-public-engagement (click here to view)

Due to current limitations on public events during the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), CDOT is providing virtual opportunities for public engagement. Information about this study is shared and updated on the Vail Pass Rest Area Replacement Project website (click here to view). Virtual public engagement includes, but is not exclusive to, the following process:

  • Press release announcement for local media

  • Direct mail to adjacent property owners

  • Emails to project stakeholders

  • Public notification on CDOT’s Facebook and Twitter pages

All methods of communication will alert the public and stakeholders to the opportunity to review the replacement project and how to submit feedback. CDOT will document, record and review comments. Comments will be considered in the final design. CDOT encourages public input on all projects. In addition to the survey, feedback can be submitted by email and phone to Team Representative Hope Wright at [email protected] and 720-237-6173. Members of the public without internet access can request a copy of the presentation by calling 720-237-6173.

About the Project

Rest areas are an important asset to the traveling public and have a direct impact on the economic vitality of our state. At the direction of the Colorado Transportation Commission, a statewide rest area study was completed in 2016 to establish a framework to assess and identify rest areas that were in need of improvements. In January 2019, the rest areas were assigned a letter grade based on a set of criteria and the Vail Pass Rest Area was determined to need significant repair.

Project Purpose and Need

The purpose of the Vail Pass Rest Area Replacement Project is to improve the existing rest area facilities to increase restroom user capacity, update the existing drinking water treatment system in accordance with health department criteria, increase parking capacity for all users and improve traffic circulation, accessibility, safety and connectivity at the site. Connectivity will include better access to winter groomed trails and the Vail Pass recreation path. Project improvements will also address winter maintenance operational issues and increase capacity for maintenance equipment storage and snow storage on site.

Stay informed:

More information is available at: 

Travelers are urged to “know before you go”. Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include: