Heavy traffic volumes expected along I-70 Mountain Corridor this weekend

Travel Advisory

January 25, 2024 - Statewide - Several events and fresh snow will make for major traffic delays

Statewide - Tis the season for winter activities, competitions and exhibitions in the high country. This weekend will host three of Colorado’s most popular events including the X Games in Aspen, Breckenridge’s annual International Snow Sculpture Championships and Vail’s Freestyle Competition. These events, paired with fresh snow that weekend warriors are eager to play in, will usher in heavy traffic and lengthy travel times along the I-70 Mountain Corridor. Snow is also forecast for the weekend, which may bring several inches in some areas along the corridor on Friday, and could further impact traffic. Motorists are urged to plan ahead of time, prepare for delays and consider alternate modes of transportation, including taking the Colorado Department of Transportation’s bus services which include Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus.

Snow is expected to return to all mountain regions into Friday ahead of a weak system arriving out of the west. The system will favor moderate snow accumulation over the Highway 160 and 550 mountain corridors as well as I-25 south of Pueblo. Light to moderate impacts are expected along the I-70 and Highway 40 corridors during the morning/ski commute hours. Heaviest snow totals are expected over I-25 and US 160 near the Raton Mesa, La Veta Pass and Wet Mountains west of Pueblo. Impacts from this storm system are expected to end statewide late Friday night.

Governor Polis and CDOT announced a first-of-its-kind partnership between X Games and the Department’s Bustang to provide a sustainable and low-cost travel option for fans traveling to the X Games in Aspen from Friday, January 26 to Sunday, January 28.

Governor Polis and CDOT are focused on providing Coloradans with more transportation options that get them to the cherished events that make Colorado the state we all love. This Bustang partnership will give Coloradans safe, convenient, and affordable travel options that allow them to ditch the stress of traffic and parking, letting them focus on enjoying X Games, and the iconic Colorado Rocky Mountains. The Bustang West Line, linked here, travels from Denver’s Union Station to Glenwood Springs, five times daily, between 7 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. For travel to X Games Aspen, a transfer is required in Glenwood Springs from Bustang to the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA).

Additionally, CDOT’s Snowstang can transport weekend goers to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Loveland Ski Area and Steamboat Springs. CDOT’s Pegasus shuttle service, linked here, can take folks from Denver’s Union Station to Idaho Springs, Frisco, Vail and Avon.

For those who would prefer to drive on their own or with others to their destination, COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app, available on both iPhone and Android devices, will provide the most reliable information about current road conditions, travel speeds and highway closures. Motorists should be prepared for potential closures or long delays and pack extra blankets, clothing, food, water and entertainment.

Traffic delays may begin starting on Friday headed westbound. Historically, eastbound traffic on Sundays during this weekend have produced significant back-ups causing the need for metering at the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels.

Click here for CDOT’s heat map comparisons for this weekend from the past few years.

Know Before You Go

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:

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!