Major weather impacts expected in eastern Colorado starting Friday morning
Travel Advisory
Statewide - Treacherous, sustained adverse winter conditions are expected along the eastern plains and southeastern Colorado. Drivers are urged to avoid traveling east of Interstate 25 and from south of Interstate 76 to the New Mexico and Kansas state lines. Colorado Department of Transportation’s meteorology team expects conditions to last into Saturday.
“The storm may look like it is leaving later this afternoon, but the next round is expected to be worse than what we have already seen,” said John Lorme, CDOT director of maintenance and operations. “Drivers should be prepared for long-term closures and should avoid driving in the most impacted areas of the state for the duration of the storm.”
CDOT Crews are Prepared Statewide
Northeastern Colorado:
Many roads in eastern Colorado are closed this morning, including I-70 from Airpark Road eastward. Those road closures are expected to continue until Saturday afternoon due to the forecast of very wet and heavy snow. Travel is discouraged through the duration of the storm in the impacted areas.
Southeastern Colorado:
Extreme impacts across southeast Colorado are expected through Saturday. Motorists should plan for poor visibility and winter weather driving conditions across the Palmer Divide, US 50 and I-25. Significant adverse driving conditions and safety closures are expected across southeast Colorado. Travel is discouraged through the duration of the storm from the Palmer Divide to Colorado Springs and south and east of Pueblo from Friday afternoon through Saturday.
Southwestern Colorado:
Adverse driving conditions are expected to continue through Saturday morning in the high country and lower mountain valleys. Motorists should plan for poor visibility and winter driving conditions along southwest and south-central mountain corridors including US 50 Monarch Pass, US 160 Wolf Creek Pass, US 160 La Veta Pass, US 550 between Ouray and Durango and CO 17 Cumbres and La Manga Passes. CDOT reminds motorists that there is a potential for lengthy safety closures or periodic closures to allow for avalanche mitigation on high country passes.
I-70 Mountain Corridor:
All Summit County ski resorts are scheduled to open for the 2024/2025 ski season, which will lead to slower travel times - especially given the extreme road conditions expected on the Front Range. Adverse driving conditions should be anticipated on I-70 west of Denver to the Idaho Springs Saturday morning. Drivers should plan on additional travel time. Skiers and riders are encouraged to carpool whenever possible to help reduce the number of vehicles on the road. CDOT’s Snowstang, a seasonal shuttle service from the Denver Metro area to Summit County ski resorts, will start on Dec. 14, 2024.
Denver metro area:
Light to moderate snow is expected through the evening, turning heavy on Friday evening through Saturday morning. Drivers should be prepared for snowy and slushy conditions, with icy roads during the overnight hours.
Northwestern Colorado:
The northwest region of Colorado is expecting only minimal precipitation with no significant travel impacts.
Winter Travel Tips for Motorists
- Avoid or limit driving during the brunt of the storm. Many areas of the state will experience pavement impacts and blowing snow due to strong winds
- Work from home if you can
- If you plan to travel, know before you go by checking out the latest weather conditions and visiting COtrip.org for road conditions (see info sources below)
- Make sure your vehicle is winter ready with the appropriate tires for the weather and have a snow emergency kit
- Once you are out on the road, take it slow, no sudden stops and leave plenty of following distance
- Give plows space! Stay back three to four car lengths from snow plows
Safety Closures
A safety closure is a precaution taken during inclement weather to reduce the probability of traffic incidents, increased congestion or other safety-related factors. During a safety closure, traffic may be stopped on the interstate, turned around or directed to an exit. Safety closures help decrease delay times, and, above all, keep travelers safe.
Chain & 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-law. To learn more and view helpful tips for winter driving, visit winter.codot.gov.
COtrip.org & COtrip Planner App
If motorists must head out during this winter storm, they are urged to visit COtrip.org and download the COtrip Planner app ahead of time. 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.
The 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!
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:
- Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
- Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
- Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
- See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
- Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
- Chain and traction law information: www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw
- Check avalanche conditions at CAIC: www.avalanche.state.co.us
