PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. — The highest paved state highway in Colorado has closed for the winter.
The 32-mile stretch of Colorado Highway 82, between Aspen and Leadville, officially closed Thursday.
Independence Pass closure gates will be closed near Aspen and Twin Lakes until the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reopens the pass next spring, which is typically around the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
During the seasonal closure, motorists can reach Aspen from the Denver area via westbound Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then south on CO 82 to Aspen.
CDOT said the annual closure is essential for ensuring the safety of maintenance equipment operators and the traveling public during winter. Plowing the steep switchbacks on CO 82 on either side of the pass is unsafe during the winter months, as certain sections of the roadway are at significant risk of avalanches.
CDOT said it originally closed the pass temporarily on Monday, Oct. 28, due to safety concerns surrounding winter weather conditions, but then extended the closure into the regular seasonal closure due to road damage from a recent rockfall near Mile Point 50 that required repairs and expected ongoing winter conditions.
Independence Pass closure dates
- 2011 - Nov. 2
- 2012 - Nov. 9
- 2013 - Nov. 4
- 2014 - Nov. 12
- 2015 - Nov. 4
- 2016 - Nov. 17
- 2017 - Nov. 17
- 2018 - Nov. 5
- 2019 - Oct. 28
- 2020 - Nov. 13
- 2021 - Oct. 28
- 2022 - Nov. 4
- 2023 - Oct. 30
- 2024 - Oct. 31
