CDOT opens Independence Pass for the 2025 season

Lake and Pitkin Counties — Crews with the Colorado Department of Transportation have reopened Independence Pass on Colorado Highway 82 for the season. Workers unlocked seasonal closure gates on Thursday, May 22 at 4 p.m. Both sides of the pass were reopened to motorists, ending the need for the hours-long detours while closed.

To reopen the road for the 2025 summer season, two tasks needed to be accomplished: avalanche mitigation and roadway repairs. On May 12, CDOT and Colorado Avalanche Information Center representatives conducted the avalanche mitigation operations, bringing down loose snow, ice and debris onto CO 82. Crews triggered several snow slides using helicopters to drop explosives on known avalanche paths.

The second task necessary to open was conducting essential maintenance of the roadway to ensure the route was safe for commuters to travel. CDOT maintenance crews wasted no time in clearing all snow, ice and debris from the road shortly after the avalanche operations. They were able to assess the road condition and coordinate a plan to make the necessary repairs as quickly and safely as possible.

“The annual opening of Independence Pass is an important step as we transition from winter weather to summer,” said Jason Smith, CDOT Region 3 Regional Transportation Director. “This narrow, winding road allows tourists and travelers access to areas around Aspen and beyond. While it is closed in the winter, it takes motorists a couple of hours longer via detours. We are happy to say we made sure the necessary repairs were made so drivers can travel the road safely.”

Maintenance crews on both the east and west sides of Independence Pass worked long shifts and pushed through to complete the safety measures necessary for the road to be deemed safe and therefore ready to open. These repairs consisted of repairing or replacing a significant portion of guard rail in strategic locations, fixing potholes, ensuring the integrity of the road shoulder, replacing damaged signs, and clearing ditches and culverts of debris to enable proper water drainage.

Photos of videos of the avalanche mitigation conducted on May 12, along with information on CDOTs avalanche program and CAIC, can be downloaded by emailing [email protected]. More information about avalanche mitigation can be found in CDOT’s video titled CDOT Colorado Avalanche Operations.

CDOT reminds motorists that commercial and recreational vehicles 35 feet or longer are prohibited on Independence Pass. The restriction is due to tight curves, steep inclines and narrow lanes on some sections of the pass, and applies to vehicles and trailers with a combined length of more than 35 feet. Motorists should plan for the restriction to be in place on CO 82 between Mile Point 47.2 (west side, near Aspen) and MP 84.2 (east side, near Twin Lakes/Leadville and about one mile west of the junction with US Highway 24).

Dates for reopening Independence Pass in previous years are:

June 1, 2020

May 27, 2021

May 26, 2022

May 25, 2023

May 31, 2024

Travelers should check with COTrip.org for updates on road and construction work. There are several projects ongoing across CO 82 on both sides of Independence Pass that will affect traffic.

Cracked or loose rock is common along CO 82 on Independence Pass and can develop due to regular and frequent freeze/thaw cycles in mountainous locations with year-round winter weather. Motorists and cyclists should check weather conditions prior to traveling mountain passes, as spring snowstorms can prompt safety closures or slow traffic. Real-time road conditions are available at COtrip.org.

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:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• Check scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new 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!