Significant snowfall and adverse conditions drive decision to close

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crews will keep the Aspen and Twin Lakes winter gates closed for the season.  Crews have recorded over a foot of snow that fell along the pass from the storm last weekend. Crews also met with Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) forecasters to discuss concerns with Avalanche mitigation. Typically, Independence Pass is closed by November 7.

Maintenance Supervisors will run a sweep of the highway looking for any cars that may be parked at the Summit or in campgrounds and on auxiliary roads. 

Closure dates from the past seven years:

• 2011    November 2
• 2012    November 9
• 2013    November 4
• 2014    November 12
• 2015    November 4
• 2016    November 17
• 2017  November 17

ALTERNATE ROUTE

The alternate route to Aspen during the months the pass is closed is I-70 to Glenwood Springs, and CO 82 into Aspen. 

TRAVELER INFORMATION

Updated road conditions are available at www.COTRIP.orgor by calling 511 from anywhere in the state.