Heavy traffic expected on I-70 mountain corridor this Presidents Day weekend, CDOT encourages drivers to prepare for winter weather

Travel Advisory

Feb. 14, 2025 - Colorado - CDOT offers tips for stress-free and Winter Wise weekend travel

Se espera fuerte tráfico en la I-70 por el fin de semana del Día de los Presidentes en español

To download CDOT’s Winter Wise safety education materials, visit:
codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/campaign-materials

Statewide — Presidents Day weekend is one of the busiest mountain-travel holidays in Colorado, and with forecasted snow in the high country, CDOT is warning drivers to prepare their vehicles.

Last month, 1,074,205 vehicles passed through the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel — an average of 34,652 per day — and CDOT expects at least another million travelers this month. As heavy traffic and winter weather conditions converge, February is historically one of the most challenging months for motorists along the I-70 mountain corridor. CDOT encourages even the most experienced Colorado drivers to take extra caution.

Colorado’s Traction Law is active at all times on the I-70 mountain corridor from September through May between Dotsero and Morrison. That means any motorist traveling west of Morrison this weekend must comply with the law. The Traction Law requires all vehicles to have 3/16ths of an inch tread depth on their tires and at least one of the following:

  • 4WD or AWD vehicle
  • Tires with mud and snow designation (M+S icon)
  • Winter tires (mountain snowflake icon)
  • Tires with an all-weather rating by the manufacturer
  • Chains or approved traction device

Motorists who drive with inadequate equipment while the Traction Law is in effect could face fines of over $130. If their vehicle blocks the roadway due to improper equipment, they may be fined more than $650.

“Motorists who are unprepared for winter conditions can cause closures, lengthen travel times and increase their risk for slide-outs and crashes,” said Andrew Hogle, CDOT Winter Wise communications manager. “Drivers need to slow down, leave plenty of space for the vehicle in front of them, use caution around snowplows and large vehicles and make sure they have the proper tires and tread.”

In February 2024, 46 passenger vehicle crashes were reported on the I-70 mountain corridor. The highway was closed for a total of 15 hours because of crashes and emergency responses. According to CDOT, every hour the I-70 mountain corridor is closed to traffic, it can have an economic impact of $2 million, with a majority of those revenues affecting surrounding communities.

“Many of the crashes we see along the I-70 mountain corridor can easily be prevented,” said Hogle. “While you can’t control the weather or other drivers, you can control how you drive, how well you prepare your vehicle, and your understanding of the rules of the road. Taking these steps can help keep everyone safer.”

In February and March combined last year, there were 65 passenger vehicle crashes and an additional 47 non-crash emergency responses (e.g., spinouts, mechanical problems, etc.). The highway was closed for 100 hours during those two months due to crashes and emergency responses.

As travelers prepare for the holiday weekend ahead, CDOT warns that traffic delays getting to and from the mountains are likely. Motorists should be prepared and map out their travel strategy in advance if they need to be somewhere at a specific time.

CDOT offers the following advice to help travelers plan ahead:

  • Avoid traveling during peak times. Visit COtrip.org to view real-time road conditions, travel alerts and roadwork impacts. Check out the GoI70 weekend travel forecast (updated every Thursday afternoon) to help you plan around peak times
  • Use public transit. Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus offer service to and from certain mountain areas, and Bustang Outrider offers service to mountain areas and rural regions
  • If you’re headed to Winter Park, the Winter Park Express with its new expanded schedule and lower prices, offers a unique way to head up to the high country and bypass traffic altogether. Visit GoI70.com/transit for multiple transit options along the I-70 mountain corridor.
  • Join a carpool if your vehicle isn’t equipped for winter conditions. Download Colorado’s carpooling app TreadShare for your iOS or Android device at treadshare.com
  • Be patient during safety metering. If you are stopped on I-70 near the Eisenhower Tunnel, it may be due to safety metering. Safety metering helps control traffic flow, reduce accidents and keep the tunnel clear for emergency vehicles to get through. Please be patient
  • Use I-70 Mountain Express Lanes. There are I-70 Mountain Express Lanes in both directions of I-70 adjacent to the free, general-purpose lanes between the Veterans Memorial Tunnels and Empire interchange. These Express Lanes operate during peak travel times. Never cross the yellow solid line into the Express Lane or you will receive a citation in the mail. To learn more, visit expresslanes.codot.gov

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:

About Winter Wise

CDOT’s Winter Wise campaign focuses on education, tools and resources to help keep drivers safe on Colorado’s winter roads. To learn more and view helpful tips for winter driving, visit winter.codot.gov. For specific information about I-70 and other highway travel conditions, motorists can call 511 or check COtrip.org. Additionally, drivers can check Twitter for up-to- date travel information via @ColoradoDOT. For more detailed information about the Traction Law and Passenger Vehicle Safety Law, snowplow laws, safety stats and frequently asked questions, visit winter.codot.gov.

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!