The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is advising motorists to prepare for increased traffic across the state during Labor Day weekend, as numerous events and recreational activities are expected to draw travelers.
To help reduce potential delays, CDOT will suspend all construction projects starting at noon on Friday. Only emergency operations will continue. Construction work is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Traffic volumes are expected to be higher along the Front Range, mountain highways, and especially on Interstate 70 west of Denver. The heaviest westbound I-70 traffic typically occurs from mid-morning until early evening on Friday and from early morning to mid-afternoon on Saturday. On Labor Day itself, eastbound I-70 experiences its highest traffic from mid-morning through late afternoon, particularly between Eagle and Summit counties and the Denver area.
During a typical summer high travel season weekend—early July through mid-August—an average of 44,744 vehicles pass through the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels daily. Over Labor Day Weekend, that number increases to an average of 46,890 vehicles per day. In 2024, total tunnel traffic for the holiday weekend reached 187,562 vehicles.
Mountain express lanes will be in operation from Friday through Monday: westbound from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and eastbound from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with possible adjustments based on real-time conditions.
Seasonal routes such as CO 82 over Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen and Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park remain open into fall unless closed by weather conditions. CO 5 leading up Mount Blue Sky remains closed due to ongoing construction; further details can be found via the Federal Highway Administration webpage.
Travelers can check current road conditions at cotrip.org or call 511 for updates. For specific information about I-70 travel patterns and resources visit https://goi70.com/.
CDOT also offers alternatives for those who prefer not to drive during busy periods. Its transit services—Bustang, Bustang Outrider, and Pegasus—connect Denver with destinations including Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Junction, Fort Collins, Trinidad, Avon along I-70 west corridor, and other rural areas across Colorado. More information is available at https://ridebustang.com/.
For motorists needing assistance or support in keeping traffic moving over the holiday weekend, CDOT Safety Patrol vehicles will cover major highways in the Denver region as well as I-25 north toward Fort Collins and south toward Colorado Springs. Patrols operate during peak times (6–9:30 a.m., 2:30–7 p.m.), off-peak hours (9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.), and weekends (10 a.m.–7 p.m.).
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