The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is advising drivers to prepare for significant traffic on the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor and US Highway 285 this weekend. The agency expects heavy congestion in both directions, particularly as travelers head to view fall foliage at popular spots like Kenosha Pass.
According to CDOT, data from the same weekend in 2024 showed some of the highest traffic volumes of the fall season. At the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels, CDOT implemented metering for over 11 hours, from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., to maintain safety and keep vehicles moving. During peak times, nearly 3,000 vehicles per hour passed through the tunnels at noon. Eastbound travelers returning from mountain areas experienced delays lasting well past 10 p.m.
Westbound drivers also faced substantial morning delays between Evergreen and Georgetown, starting around 9 a.m. and continuing until about 5 p.m., which is not typical for this time of year. These slowdowns were mainly due to high numbers of day-trippers traveling to see changing leaves in Colorado’s high country.
Additional congestion was reported on Guanella Pass between Georgetown and Grant, where traffic backups extended for miles through Georgetown and onto the interstate.
Last weekend’s travel patterns saw peak traffic at Floyd Hill at 6 p.m. on Friday, with speeds dropping into single digits from noon until 7 p.m. On Saturday, the heaviest traffic occurred between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., while Sunday remained slow throughout most of the day with a peak at 11 a.m.
“CDOT urges motorists to plan ahead if they are traveling this weekend,” said Shoshana M. Lew, Director of CDOT. “Expect longer travel times and consider adjusting your schedule or route.”
