US 50 Monarch Pass to close this evening (Friday, Feb. 9) at 5 p.m. for snow removal operations

Winter Travel Alert

February 9, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - Winter driving conditions expected through Sunday

South–Central & Southwest Colorado - The Colorado Department of Transportation has scheduled safety-critical winter maintenance operations this evening (Fri., Feb.9) on US Highway 50 Monarch Pass, between Poncha Springs and Gunnison. Travelers are urged to plan ahead or arrive and drive through the gates before the designated 5 p.m. closure times anticipated to last approximately two hours.

US 50 Monarch Pass, closure begins at 5 p.m., Fri., Feb. 9
Both eastbound and westbound motorists will encounter full stops and one extended delay of up to two hours. Motorists are urged to allow for extra travel time or seek alternate routes.

  • West Closure Point: Sargents (Mile Point 190), 30 miles east of Gunnison
  • East Closure Point: Maysville (Mile Point 210), 7 miles west of Poncha Springs

Motorists are cautioned that the closure times are approximate as the length of closures depend on various factors including adverse weather conditions, snow accumulation and severity of avalanche danger. Control missions may be performed quickly with short road closures, or the missions may require more lengthy closures lasting several hours.

Travelers are urged to check COtrip.org for the most current highway updates.

US 50 Monarch Pass winter maintenance alert
Colorado Department of Transportation Winter Maintenance Alert map of closures taking place Friday, February, 9 at 5 p.m. on US 50 Monarch Pass

Avalanche Forecast Information

Backcountry users are urged to check avalanche conditions at CAIC website: www.avalanche.state.co.us.

Chain and Traction Laws

When weather conditions warrant, CDOT will activate the Traction Law. If weather conditions deteriorate, CDOT will activate Chain Laws for passenger and commercial vehicles. Motorists will be alerted to an active Traction or Chain Law by highway signage, COtrip.org and traffic/roadway condition alerts. For more information on the Traction Law and Passenger Vehicle Chain Law requirements, visit codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw. For more information on the Commercial Vehicle Chain Law requirements, visit codot.gov/travel/colorado-chain-laws. To learn more and view helpful tips for winter driving, visit winter.codot.gov.

COtrip.org and COtrip Planner app

Motorists are urged to visit COtrip.org and download the COtrip Planner app ahead of traveling. Motorists are now able to sign up for travel alerts through COtrip.org to see if there are any highway closures or impacts along their favorite routes. The COtrip Planner app also offers a “Trip Planner” feature that allows motorists to map out their routes and receive updates about road closures or incidents along the way. Motorists can turn on the “Hands-Free, Eyes Free” feature to receive these alerts via voice notifications and avoid routes with impacts.

CDOT is also pleased to offer motorists the opportunity to track CDOT snow plows on the app and website, and can even follow some of our “celebrity” plows that were named by elementary school students last year. Using the snow plow tracker allows motorists to see where our plows have been and even see what the road conditions look like by viewing the cameras in the area of the plows. CDOT plows have thousands of miles of roadway to maintain, so motorists are asked to please be patient and are reminded to never pass a plow on the right or while in echelon formation. It is always safer to stay behind a plow.

Know Before You Go

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