Drivers in Colorado are being advised to prepare for heavier than usual traffic during the holiday season, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The agency said travelers should expect congestion on many state roads, particularly along the Front Range and the I-70 Mountain Corridor, as people travel for shopping and recreation.
“Wherever your travels take you, plan to drive sober, take it slow, and give yourself plenty of time to arrive safely,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “We ask every driver to respect the road and each other so we can all enjoy the holiday season.”
To help reduce delays, CDOT will pause construction projects statewide by noon on December 24 and December 31. There will be no work scheduled for December 25 or January 1. Additionally, there will be no lane closures related to the I-70 Floyd Hill project from December 20 until January 5. Drivers are encouraged to check COtrip.org or use the COtrip Planner app for up-to-date information about road conditions and specific projects. Details are also available at codot.gov/projects.
Traffic is expected to be especially heavy on I-70 between Denver and Eagle County during the week after Christmas due to increased recreational travel. This period is traditionally one of Colorado’s busiest times for travel.
CDOT provided projected daily vehicle counts for westbound and eastbound lanes on I-70 from December 23 through December 31, with totals ranging from about 28,000 vehicles on Christmas Day up to over 46,000 vehicles on December 26.
For those traveling to ski areas in the high country, CDOT’s Snowstang bus service offers roundtrip express transportation on holiday weekends to destinations such as Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Loveland Ski Area. More details are available at ridebustang.com.
A new online resource has been launched by CDOT specifically for I-70 Mountain Corridor travelers. The hub consolidates real-time road conditions, shuttle options, live cameras and safety tips into one location using tools from COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app. Additional information can be found at codot.gov/travel/i70mountain.
The CDOT Safety Patrol will continue operations throughout major highways in Denver as well as along I-25 in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs during peak periods. Motorists are reminded that when they see a Safety Patrol vehicle or first responders stopped roadside, they must slow down or move over as required by law. Information about patrol schedules is available at SafetyPatrolinfo.com and on CDOT’s website.
