Expect impacts to ski traffic due to upcoming winter storm and MLK holiday weekend

News Release

Jan. 16, 2025 - Colorado - Friday evening and Saturday morning ski traffic to be most impacted by cold temps and icy areas

Statewide — The Colorado Department of Transportation is issuing a travel advisory for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend as a strong winter storm and Arctic front are expected to impact the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor and the foothills and plains. Impacts will begin Friday evening and will last into Saturday morning, with potential impacts lingering into Sunday. Ski traffic along the I-70 Mountain Corridor is anticipated to face significant delays and hazardous driving conditions, including fast-developing icy patches on roads. 

Weather overview:

Friday: A cold front will move in Friday afternoon, with snow developing across the mountains and valleys north of I-70 and expanding southward by evening. Heaviest snowfall rates are expected overnight into early Saturday.

Saturday: Light snow showers will continue, accompanied by extremely cold temperatures due to the Arctic front. Although snowfall will be less intense, road conditions will remain challenging.

Sunday into Monday: Another pulse of light snow is forecast Sunday night, adding to already accumulated snow and potentially impacting Monday morning traffic.

Pavement and travel conditions:

Friday evening: The arrival of the cold front in the late afternoon will coincide with the beginning of snowfall. Initially, residual heat on the pavement may allow for some melting, especially in lower elevations such as the foothills and plains. However, as temperatures plummet, any melted snow will quickly freeze, creating icy patches. Motorists should also be aware of the potential for patchy blowing snow across the plains in the evening, which could reduce visibility. Wind speeds are expected to decrease later in the evening.

Saturday and Sunday: Cold temperatures will limit the melting of snow, keeping roads slick throughout the weekend. In the mountain areas and along I-70, periodic flurries and light snow will continue intermittently and may continue to promote icy conditions. Pavement conditions will improve gradually as CDOT maintainers plow and treat the roads, but the extremely low temperatures will slow down the effectiveness of deicing products.

Traffic impacts:

Friday afternoon and evening: Heavy ski traffic is expected, especially in the evening, with significant impacts likely along I-70. A “double peak” traffic pattern is anticipated with a morning push to the west and increased congestion after work hours as people head to the mountains.

Saturday morning and evening: Congestion will likely build early Saturday morning, with slowdowns expected at key points such as Floyd Hill and Georgetown. Evening traffic will also be affected by lingering snow showers.

Sunday and Monday: Sunday will see typical ski return traffic, with volumes peaking midday. Monday is expected to be busy, with late morning traffic exacerbated by continuing snow showers and cold temperatures.

CDOT's snowfall accumulation map for Thursday, Jan. 16, through Saturday, Jan. 18
CDOT's snowfall accumulation map for Thursday, Jan. 16, through Saturday, Jan. 18.

CDOT recommendations:

Plan ahead: Allow extra travel time, especially during peak hours. Check weather forecasts and road conditions on COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app before heading out. Motorists are strongly discouraged from traveling overnight on Friday.

Drive cautiously: Reduce speeds, increase following distances, and be prepared for sudden changes in road conditions. CDOT maintenance crews will be out in full force, but the Arctic temperatures will prove to be a challenge as the roads will experience continuous refreezing.

Consider alternatives: If possible, adjust travel plans to avoid peak traffic periods and consider delaying trips until conditions improve. Motorists can use GoI70.com to view the latest traffic forecasts. Snowstang is a transit alternative for those who would like to avoid driving over the holiday weekend. It provides express bus service Saturday, Sunday and Monday to Loveland Ski Area, A-Basin, Copper Mountain and Breckenridge. Roundtrip tickets are $25.00. Additional discounts are available for seniors (65+) and people with disabilities. Children 2 to 11 years old ride for $12.50 (with a paying adult). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit ridebustang.com. Snowstang tickets are 25% off for MLK Weekend. Please use code 3DAY25 at RideSnowstang.com.

To help improve traffic flow, CDOT is suspending construction and maintenance projects from noon Friday until Tuesday, Jan. 21. The only exception is for emergency operations.

Last year's MLK weekend vehicle counts at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels were as follows:

  • Friday, Jan. 12, 2024: Westbound - 21,380; eastbound - 35,872; total - 57,252
  • Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024: Westbound - 17,114; eastbound - 30,430; total - 47,544
  • Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024: Westbound - 12,242; eastbound - 27,844; total - 40,086
  • Monday, Jan. 15, 2024: Westbound - 7,146; eastbound - 12,791; total - 19,937
  • Total: 164,819

Following the holiday, traffic numbers are expected to remain high through mid-April due to increased snow amounts and additional travel opportunities over the Presidents Day weekend and spring break.

Weekend recreational traffic is expected to remain high on I-70 through mid-April. Drivers also should anticipate increased weekday traffic in late March and early April due to additional travel opportunities during spring break.

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 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.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: