The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), working with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, will close Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass between Aspen and Twin Lakes starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 15. The closure is due to forecasted winter weather expected to bring snow accumulation and strong winds, making travel hazardous across the high-mountain pass.
The highway will be closed at Lincoln Creek Road (Mile Point 51.1) on the west side and near Graham Gulch (MP 68.5) on the east side. CDOT crews plan to reassess conditions on Tuesday morning, November 18, to decide if the pass can reopen for fall or if it will remain closed for its annual winter shutdown.
Jason Smith, CDOT’s Regional Transportation Director for Northwest Colorado, said, “Recognizing the access Independence Pass provides for Pitkin County residents, visitors, and others, our maintenance teams consider several factors when deciding whether to close the pass — whether for a short-term storm event or the full seasonal closure. Of all the factors involved, the safety of the traveling public and our CDOT personnel remains paramount.”
Independence Pass typically closes in late October or early November each year due to winter conditions. In recent years, one of the latest closures occurred in 2017 when it closed on November 17.
Independence Pass is a designated Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway maintained by CDOT. It is known as the highest paved state highway in Colorado at an elevation of 12,095 feet over the Continental Divide. The road is narrow and winding with steep drop-offs and some sections only wide enough for one vehicle at a time, which can make driving challenging during poor weather.
The summit sits 18 miles west of Twin Lakes and 19 miles east of Aspen, crossing through San Isabel National Forest on one side and White River National Forest on the other. The route covers about 32 miles of mountainous terrain. When open during warmer months, CDOT monitors Independence Pass daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Heavy snowfall during winter months makes travel impossible at these elevations. Weather permitting and after safety evaluations by crews, CDOT generally reopens Independence Pass around the week before Memorial Day each year.
Travelers from Denver Metro Area heading to Aspen are advised to use westbound I-70 to Glenwood Springs and then CO 82 as an alternate route while Independence Pass remains closed.
