A taste of winter ahead of Thanksgiving in several areas of the state

Colorado — As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, drivers should anticipate adverse winter weather conditions particularly in the mountains and higher elevations across the state over the next few days. Motorists should use COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app to view road conditions, closures and cameras across the state to plan their travels.

Drivers should consider adjusting travel times to avoid heaviest periods of snowfall, and make sure to be prepared for possible conditions when heading out on the road.

Travel could be challenging with a snowstorm expected to impact the mountains Monday night through Wednesday. Snow accumulations of one to two feet are expected in mountain passes with the hardest hit area in southwest Colorado. Motorists should be prepared for adverse travel conditions on the I-70 Mountain Corridor. Light snow is expected for the Denver area and other locations along the Front Range, with heavier snow impacts along the western foothills and the Palmer Divide.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is advising motorists to be prepared:

• If possible, avoid or limit driving during the brunt of the storm; it is expected to let up before the holiday.
• If you plan to travel, know before you go by checking out the latest weather conditions and visiting COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for road conditions.
• Make sure your vehicle is winter ready with the appropriate tires for the weather and have a snow emergency kit, including ice scraper- snow brush, coat, gloves, hat, boots, portable shovel, battery, booster cables, cell phone charger, water, non-perishable food, extra blankets and a tow strap.
• When traveling, 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. Don’t pass plows on the right.

Storm Impacts by Region

Denver Region

Motorists should watch for wet and slick road conditions as the storm starts with rain then turns to snow showers beginning Tuesday night and lasting through Wednesday night. The Denver region will see light snow accumulations. Roads are expected to be icy Wednesday morning and slick through the day and evening, especially on ramps, bridges, overpasses and shaded areas. Light to moderate snow accumulation is forecast across the foothills and Palmer Divide before the weather clears on Wednesday.

Northeast Colorado

While generally the impacts on roadways in most of Northeast Colorado will be minimal, some of the foothill areas and Cameron Pass could see more, especially on Wednesday. Also, any rain or melting snow on Wednesday could freeze overnight and could affect some Thanksgiving Day travel.

I-70 Mountain Corridor and Northwest Colorado

Travelers on the I-70 Mountain Corridor should be prepared for a significant winter storm starting Monday night through Wednesday evening, with heavy snow expected of 1-2 inches of snow per hour likely on Tuesday night. Road conditions will be hazardous, and travel disruptions, including road closures, are expected. If possible, delay travel or avoid high-elevation routes, especially Tuesday night when snow will be heaviest.

Southeast Colorado

Motorists can expect wet and potentially slick road conditions as the storm starts with rain then turns to snow showers Tuesday night through Wednesday. The Pikes Peak region will see light snow accumulations with up to six inches along the Palmer Divide. Rain and light snow accumulation is forecast across the southeast plains before the storm moves out Wednesday.

Southwest and South-Central Colorado

Travel will be very difficult across the southwest and south-central regions of Colorado, especially along high mountain passes. Beginning late Monday evening, drivers can expect slushy, icy and snow packed surfaces. Safety closures for hazardous conditions and winter maintenance operations are possible over the next few days. These hazardous conditions will impact roadways Monday night through Wednesday.

Suspending lane closures over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend

CDOT will suspend all construction and maintenance projects by midday Wednesday, Nov. 27. In addition, no lane closures are permitted this week on the state highway system. The only exception is for emergency operations. All projects can resume work on Monday, Dec. 2.

The CDOT Safety Patrol will be assisting motorists in need during Thanksgiving weekend. Coverage areas include major highways in Denver and I-25 in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., off-peak hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Drivers are reminded to slow down and move over, if possible, when approaching the Safety Patrol or other first responders on the roadside.

Traffic at the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels typically is lower during Thanksgiving weekend than other fall and winter holiday weekends. Vehicle numbers in 2023:

Totals for Thanksgiving Holiday Travel (Nov. 22 to Nov. 26):

• Westbound: 85,076
• Eastbound: 92,238
• Weekend total: 177,314

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 freight.colorado.gov/mountain-rules/chain-up-tips. 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 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