Summer traffic season underway Friday

News Release

May 27, 2022 - Central/Eastern Colorado

Denver – The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to anticipate increased traffic in many areas of the state over the Memorial Day weekend as the summer travel season moves into high gear.

Higher vehicle numbers are likely along Front Range and mountain highways. This includes westbound Interstate 70 on Friday and Saturday. On Memorial Day, drivers should expect longer drive times along eastbound I-70, especially from Vail to the Denver area.

In addition, CDOT is suspending all construction and maintenance projects from noon Friday until Tuesday, May 31. The only exception is for emergency operations. The 2021 traffic numbers at the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels:

Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Statistics at EJMT

Seasonal Roadways Projected Openings

  • CO 5 Mount Evans Road remains closed and will not open for Memorial Day weekend due to recent snow and wind conditions. Snow removal continues.
  • CO 82 Independence Pass open to travel, weather permitting.
    Cottonwood Pass (Road 306) in Chaffee County west of Buena Vista is projected to open Friday, May 27.
  • Guanella Pass (CR 381; CR 62) is projected to open on Friday, May 27.
    Kebler Pass (GCR 12) is open as of Wednesday, May 25.
    I-70 Glenwood Canyon recreation path remains closed from No Name (Exit 119) to the Dotsero trailhead (Exit 133).
  • US 34 Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is closed with no estimated open date. Go to the Rocky Mountain National Park official site for more information.

Please visit cotrip.org for the current status of the listed seasonal roads. For specific information about the I-70 Corridor west of Denver, please visit: www.GoI70.com.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts, anticipated travel impacts, and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Be Safe - Be Prepared - for Late Spring Driving Conditions

  • Watch for potholes. Winter’s freeze/thaw cycle weather can damage roadways, including the creation of potholes. Spring rain also can make them difficult to see. And they can damage your vehicle, requiring expensive repairs. Keep a safe following distance in case the driver in front of you reacts unpredictably. Avoid swerving if you can to avoid a pothole.
  • Slow down for spring showers. Roads become slick when it first begins to rain because rainwater mixes with road contaminants, like oil and grease. Increase your following distance to allow for proper braking.
  • Watch for pedestrians and bikes. Warmer temperatures mean more people are outside walking or bicycling. Slow down and pay extra attention at crosswalks and along roadways.
  • Share the road with motorcycles. Motorcycles may quickly come in and out of your blind spots due to their speed and size. Always take a second look with more motorcycles out on the road.
  • Animals are on the move. Animal activity increases during the spring, either due to mating season or because they are waking up from winter hibernation. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk.
  • Maintain proper tire air pressure. Tires lose air due to the cold winter temperatures and now can be underinflated. Warmer temperatures can cause tires to be overinflated.
  • Inspect your tires. Adequate tire tread is important for safe driving in wet weather because the tread moves water away from the tire. Less tread means reduced traction.