The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is advising travelers to prepare for increased traffic across the state during the holiday season. According to CDOT, drivers should expect heavier volumes along the Front Range before and after Christmas, especially near major shopping areas located on or close to urban corridors.
“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 manage traffic flow during this period, CDOT will suspend construction projects statewide by noon on Wednesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 31. No construction work is scheduled for Thursday, December 25 or Thursday, January 1, 2026. Additionally, there will be no lane closures related to the I-70 Floyd Hill project from Saturday, December 20 through Monday, January 5. Motorists are encouraged to use COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for real-time travel alerts and project information. Details about ongoing projects are also available at codot.gov/projects.
Significant congestion is expected along the I-70 Mountain Corridor between Denver and Eagle County in the week following Christmas due to a traditional rise in recreational travel. Data from previous years indicate that Christmas week is one of Colorado’s busiest travel periods.
For those heading to ski resorts or mountain destinations who want an alternative mode of transportation, CDOT’s Snowstang bus service will operate on holiday weekends with roundtrip express service available to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Loveland Ski Area. More details can be found at ridebustang.com.
CDOT has launched a new online hub focused on the I-70 Mountain Corridor that consolidates shuttle options, real-time road conditions, live corridor cameras and essential safety tips into one resource. This platform combines features from COtrip.org and its companion app into a centralized site designed for easier access by travelers planning trips through this area. The agency reminds motorists that conditions along I-70 differ from other highways in Colorado; therefore travel plans should be adjusted accordingly. Additional information is available at codot.gov/travel/i70mountain.
The CDOT Safety Patrol will continue operating during peak travel times throughout major highways in Denver as well as I-25 corridors in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. The patrol aims to assist motorists and keep traffic moving efficiently with coverage scheduled during morning peaks (6 a.m.–9:30 a.m.), afternoon peaks (2:30 p.m.–7 p.m.), off-peak hours (9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) and weekends (10 a.m.–7 p.m.). Drivers are reminded that slowing down or moving over when approaching roadside workers is required by law. More information about these services can be found at SafetyPatrolinfo.com or on CDOT’s website.
