DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) closed Independence Pass Wednesday in anticipation of a winter storm.
CDOT announced Wednesday afternoon that a safety closure for Colorado Highway 82 Independence Pass would begin at 5 p.m. It's expected to reopen on Friday once weather has improved and the road has been cleared of snow and ice.
Closure gates are located near Aspen and Twin Lakes. CDOT said the closure is necessary to keep maintenance equipment operators and travelers safe.
Weather forecasts are predicting 6-12 inches of snow and high winds for Independence Pass during the storm, CDOT said.
The alternate route from metro Denver to Aspen is via westbound Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then Colorado 82 to Aspen.
Independence Pass normally closes in November for the winter season.
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