State Gearing Up for USA Pro Challenge

July 31, 2015 - Statewide Transportation Plan - DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is activating its traveler informational sources for the upcoming USA Pro Challenge (USAPC) – one of the top professional bike races in the country.

As the largest spectator event in Colorado, it will impact numerous state and local roadways from Monday, August 17, through Sunday, August 23.  To help assist drivers of possible impacts, the USAPC button on the left side of CDOT’s www.cotrip.org page is up and running. 

The site includes information regarding the specific race routes, maps, highway closing and opening times, expected delays, and possible restrictions.  Links to host cities’ websites also are provided, offering information regarding local road closures and long-term parking availability.  Listed delay and closure times are estimates only and subject to change depending on the pace of the race, weather, or other unanticipated occurrences.

Real-time information related to highway impacts is available by signing up for CDOT email and text alerts.  To subscribe, please visitwww.codot.gov and click on the small letter icon at the bottom of the page.  Daily road closure information will be available by calling 511 from anywhere in the state.   Updates also are available by following CDOT on Twitter: (@coloradodot). 

Each year, the seven-day USAPC draws more than one million spectators.  Navigating 605 miles of terrain, racers will travel to or through numerous towns, cities, and ski resorts, including Steamboat Springs, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Aspen, Breckenridge, Loveland, Fort Collins, Golden and Denver.

Brief summary of STATE highway impacts (race start/end times are approximate and subject to change):

  • August 17/Stage 1/Steamboat Springs Circuit: U.S. 40/State Highway (SH) 131.  11:40 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • August 18/Stage 2/Steamboat Springs to Arapahoe Basin: U.S. 40/SH 9/U.S. 6.  10:55 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • August 19/Stage 3/Copper Mountain to Aspen: SH 91/U.S. 24/SH 82.  11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • August 20/Stage 4/Aspen to Breckenridge: SH 82/U.S. 24/U.S. 285/SH 9.  10:20 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • August 21/Stage 5/Breckenridge Individual Time Trial: SH 9.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
    • PLEASE NOTE: Stages 5 and 6 include a Women’s Pro Challenge Route that will use all or most of the same route as the men’s race.  The Women’s Stage 7 is a circuit through the downtown Golden area.
  • August 22/Stage 6/Loveland to Fort Collins: U.S 34 (short segment west of Loveland).  11:35 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • August 23/Stage 7/Golden to Denver: SH 93/U.S. 40/SH 391/SH 121/SH 95/U.S. 40-287.  1:10 p.m. to 4 p.m.

CDOT will distribute additional information regarding specific race routes and times prior to August 17. Specific race day information also will be distributed the morning of each stage.