Winter Driving News

Overnight snow will make for a challenging Monday morning commute in the Denver region and across much of the state

March 24, 2024 - Statewide - Sunday night blizzard warning issued for I-25 Palmer Divide

Mountain Traffic Jam: CDOT encourages motorists to stay Winter Wise this Presidents Day weekend

February 15, 2024 - Statewide - I-70 tunnel traffic expected to surpass one million motorists in February

US 50 Monarch Pass to close this evening (Friday, Feb. 9) at 5 p.m. for snow removal operations

February 9, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - Winter driving conditions expected through Sunday

US 160 Wolf Creek Pass to close early tomorrow morning for snow removal operations

February 8, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - A new storm system moves in tonight

US 550 Red Mountain Pass opened at 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8

February 8, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - Winter driving impacts expected through Sunday morning on many southwest mountain passes

Low visibility and increased avalanche danger prompts US 550 Red Mountain Pass to remain closed tonight

February 7, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - Maintenance crews will reassess avalanche hazards tomorrow morning, Thurs., Feb. 8

US 160 Wolf Creek Pass Opened at 9:35 a.m. Wednesday morning Feb. 7, following safety critical winter operations

February 7, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - Avalanche warnings in effect through Friday morning

US 40 Berthoud Pass to remain closed overnight

January 14, 2024 - Statewide - CDOT urges travelers to be prepared for safety closures on other highways

Challenging winter conditions continue through the holiday weekend in Colorado’s high country

January 14, 2024 - Statewide - CDOT crews respond to snowbank slide on US 40 Berthoud Pass

Motorists should be prepared for challenging winter driving conditions through a busy travel weekend

January 12, 2024 - Statewide - Multiple rounds of mountain snow, along with arctic cold anticipated

High winds and lingering blizzard conditions on roadways in the Eastern Plains, winter conditions continue on the I-70 mountain corridor

December 26, 2023 - Statewide - Motorists need to plan ahead and skiers should expect delays

A nice stretch of weather to be ushered out by winter conditions

November 30, 2023 - Statewide - Motorists should be prepared for the return of winter weather to western Colorado by week’s end

CDOT performs winter maintenance operations on multiple southwest mountain passes Thursday, March 23

March 23, 2023 - Southwestern Colorado - US 160 Wolf Creek, US 550 Coal Bank/Molas/Red Mountain and CO 17 Cumbres/La Manga Passes remain closed

US 550 between Purgatory and Ouray set to close this evening due to adverse weather conditions

March 21, 2023 - Southwestern Colorado - Travelers should expect closures on multiple mountain passes across the region for the remainder of the week; US 550 between Purgatory and Ouray will close at 5 p.m. tonight (03/21/23) due to dangerous driving conditions

Persistent stormy weather will make travel difficult to impossible at higher elevations

March 9, 2023 - Colorado - Skiers, backcountry users and spring break travelers are urged to "know before you go"

Treacherous mountain driving conditions and front range impacts expected with upcoming storm

February 21, 2021 - Statewide News - Drivers are urged to check the forecast and COtrip.org before traveling

Presidents Day Weekend Travel: Are You Winter Wise?

February 15, 2023 - Statewide - CDOT encourages safe winter driving over historically high-traffic weekend

CDOT and partners assemble to offer free tire checks and winter safety resources to drivers

December 16, 2022 - Statewide - Winter weather is unpredictable in Colorado, and the best way to stay safe is to always be prepared for the weather to turn

Tire safety checks underway as Colorado Tire Check Week continues

March 17, 2022 - Northeastern Colorado - CDOT, sponsors held tire check event on Sunday

CDOT launches inaugural Colorado Tire Check Week

March 11, 2022 - Statewide News - Participating tire partners to offer courtesy tire checks across the state

Colorado to Ring in New Year with Winter Storm Making Travel Difficult in the High Country Drivers urged to use caution and plan ahead

December 30, 2021 - Statewide News

CDOT is prepared for winter, are you?

December 8, 2021 - Statewide News - Motorists should start preparing for winter 2021/2022

CDOT launches new "Winter Driving in the Wild" video series

November 15, 2021 - Educational videos serve as entertaining reminders for safe winter driving

Slow to ramp up Saturday, storm makes itself known on Sunday

March 14, 2021 - Statewide News - Numerous road closures continue due to adverse conditions

CDOT strongly urges motorists to plan now and AVOID TRAVELING during a major snowstorm predicted to blanket roads along the foothills and Front Range

March 10, 2021 - Statewide News

Mid-winter check-in: Traffic down, but motorists must remain Winter Wise

February 12, 2021 - Statewide - CDOT offers Presidents Day weekend travel tips

Mid-winter check-in: Traffic down, but motorists must remain Winter Wise

February 11, 2021 - Statewide News - CDOT offers Presidents Day weekend travel tips

CDOT’s new statewide, interactive map helps Colorado drivers find tire shops and discounts in their area ahead of winter driving season

January 8, 2021 - Statewide News - Drivers urged to have safe tires to ensure sufficient tread for winter weather

Minimize Travel this Holiday Week

November 24, 2020 - Statewide News - Maximize safeguards to reduce risk from virus; watch for winter weather early in the week.

CO 82 Independence Pass will close on Friday for the season

November 12, 2020 - Northwestern Colorado

Motorists urged to avoid travel through Monday due to fire dangers and the first significant snow of the season

October 24, 2020 - Statewide News - CDOT crews fighting fire and ice as they go into snow-removal mode

Challenging driving conditions expected tonight through Monday, motorists are advised to avoid traveling and telework if possible

October 25, 2020 - Statewide Road Conditions

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STORM ALERT − Snow will affect essential travel along I-70 mountain corridor and across Northwest Colorado

April 15, 2020, 7:15 p.m.

CDOT to install new lighting at chain up stations across southwest and south-central Colorado

April 10, 2020 - Southwestern Colorado

CDOT closes U.S. 550 Red Mountain Pass

March 19, 2020 - Southwestern Colorado

Overnight Closure of US 285 near Fairplay for Winter Maintenance Operations

February 26, 2020 - Southeastern Colorado

Plan for Safety Closures Along I-70 Mountain Corridor

February 24, 2020 - Motorists should expect extreme winter driving conditions, including blowing snow and very low visibility

CDOT Warns Backcountry Users: Watch where you park!

February 14, 2020 - Statewide News - Skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers should use extreme caution when leaving vehicles on side of the road

Mid-season check-in: Winter weather-related crashes and closures down on I-70 as updated Traction Law takes effect in Colorado

February 13, 2020 - Statewide Traffic Safety - CDOT offers tips for travelers ahead of busy Presidents Day holiday weekend

End of Week Storm Expected to Impact Mountain Travel

February 6, 2020 - Statewide News - Travelers to and through the mountains should prepare for delays and closures

Motorists don’t be fooled! 70 degree weather to be met by snow-packed and icy commutes Monday and Tuesday

February 2, 2020 - Statewide News - Potential closures and Chain and Traction Laws likely

WINTER TRAVEL UPDATE

Nov. 26, 2019 6:45 a.m. - CDOT urges motorists to avoid travel this morning in the Denver region, along the Front Range, foothills and eastern plains

THANKSGIVING WEEK TRAVEL INFO

November 24, 2019 - Snow storms and heavy holiday traffic to affect travel and commutes this Thanksgiving week. Potential closures may impact travel plans.

Spring storm hits Colorado

April 29, 2019 - Weather could impact travel across much of the state

CDOT Recommending Shelter Sooner rather than Later

April 10, 2019

Southwest Colorado Travel Update: US 550 Red Mountain Pass: OPEN

March 22, 2019 -

RED MOUNTAIN PASS REMINDER

March 8, 2019, 2:55 p.m. - US 550 Red Mt. Pass Closed Through the Weekend and Winter Ops / Avalanche Mitigation To Take Place Saturday

Southwest CDOT Travel Update: US 550 Red Mountain Pass to Remain Closed

CDOT Closes Mountain Passes due to Snow Slides

March 4, 2019, 1:06 p.m. -

CDOT urges motorists to plan ahead and know before you go!

March 1, 2019 - Statewide Travel - Check cotrip.org before leaving for weekend travel plans

Southwestern CDOT Winter Storm Travel Alert

February 22, 2019 - 8:04 a.m. - US Highway 550 Coal Bank and Molas Passes are CLOSED until further notice. 

Southwest and South-Central Colorado Winter Storm Update and Recap

February 15, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado

SW COLORADO TRAVEL ADVISORY: Mountain Pass Travel Delays Set for Southwest Colorado Travelers can expect delays Thursday morning for avalanche control work

February 6, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado

Statewide Snow Storm Intensifying and Will Continue Today through Tomorrow Morning

February 6, 2019 - Denver Metro area -  CDOT Strongly Recommends People Leave Early to Manage Rush-hour Impacts in Denver Metro area; CDOT Crews Out in Force

Snowy Travel expected on MLK Day

Jan. 20, 2019 - Denver Metro Colorado

CDOT Warns Backcountry Users About Unattended Vehicles

January 4, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado - Skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers should use extreme caution when leaving vehicles on the side of road  

CDOT urges motorists to plan ahead for weekend weather and possible safety closures on I-70 corridor

January 4, 2019 - Northwestern Colorado - Delays expected due to heavy traffic volumes after the holiday week

TRAVEL ADVISORY ―  Heavy Snow Accumulations Call For  Avalanche Control Operations on US 160 Wolf Creek Pass

January 1, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado - Travelers can expect delays Wednesday morning  

After a white Christmas, CDOT preparing for next wave of winter weather

December 26, 2018 - Storm expected to impact much of southwest, southeast Colorado and the eastern plains

New Red Mountain Pass Closures set for Dec. 11-14

Dec. 10, 2018 -

US 550 Red Mountain Pass Ruby Walls Work to Require Four More Major Closures

Dec. 4, 2018 - Work is Weather Dependent

CDOT Still Hiring Snowplow Drivers, Maintenance Workers

Nov. 27, 2018

Crews Cancel Nov. 27 Closure of Red Mountain Pass

Nov. 26, 2018 -

Prepare for First Widespread Snowstorm of Season

Oct. 13, 2018 - CDOT Crews out in Full Force, Ready to Keep Roads Safe

CDOT Closes Mount Evans to Traffic for the Season Early Due to Snow Forecast

Oct. 5, 2018 -

Red Mountain Pass Closures set for Oct. 8, 9 & 11

Oct. 2, 2018 - Crews Performing Cliff Work on Ruby Walls South of Ouray

Slow-Moving Storm to Impact Travel Statewide

Dec. 20, 2017 -

CDOT Urging Drivers to Prepare for Winter

Nov. 1, 2017 -

Statewide storm expected to impact motorists beginning this afternoon

December 16, 2016 - Statewide Transportation Plan - The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is encouraging motorists to consider traveling home earlier in the day today as winter storm conditions move into the state.

CDOT Encourages Denver Metro Motorists to Prepare Vehicles for Winter Driving

November 18, 2016 - Denver Metro Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - Check Highway & Weather Conditions Before Travel

CDOT encourages motorists to prepare vehicles now for winter driving

November 17, 2016 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - CDOT encourages motorists to prepare vehicles now for winter driving

CDOT encourages motorists in Northeast Colorado to prepare vehicles now for winter driving

November 16, 2016 - Northeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 4 - Check highway & weather conditions before heading out and abide by Traction and Passenger Vehicle Chain laws, if implemented

CDOT Encourages Denver Metro Motorists to Prepare Vehicles for Winter Driving

November 17, 2016 - Metro Denver Colorado - Check Highway & Weather Conditions Before Travel

Spring has sprung yet winter weather pushing through Colorado this weekend

April 15, 2016 - Statewide Transportation - Forecasters are calling for severe winter weather later today throughout the weekend blanketing much of the state. Snow accumulations of two to four feet are possible in the mountains and then moving on to the front range.

Chain Up Tips for Passenger & Small Commercial Vehicles

Traffic Assistance Programs Set to Start on I-70

November 20, 2012 - Central Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - Heavy Tow, Chain Assistance & Courtesy Patrol

I-70 Vail Chain Station Improvement Study Underway

November 7, 2012 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - CDOT seeks public input.

Chain Law Requirement Begins Tomorrow

August 31, 2012 - Statewide Transportation Plan - DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is reminding commercial vehicle drivers that beginning on Saturday, September 1, commercial vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds and traveling Interstate 70 between Dotsero (mile 133) and Morrison (mile 259) must carry sufficient chains along this segment until May 31, 2013.

New Messaging for Chain Law

December 15, 2011 - Central Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is modifying the messages on its electronic signs to assist truckers when the chain law goes into effect.

Colorado's Chain Law Begins September 1st for Commercial Vehicle Drivers on I-70

August 29, 2011 - Statewide Transportation Plan - STATEWIDE— With the summer quickly coming to a close, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is preparing for the first snowfall in the high country and with the chain law season starting in September, commercial vehicle drivers should also be preparing for the winter ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Colorado's Chain Law

Chain-Up Tips for Commercial Vehicles

Commercial Vehicle

Chain Up Tips for Commercial Vehicles

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