DENVER — Driving conditions were difficult in Colorado Saturday as wet, heavy, slushy snow moved through the state.
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reported some lane and road closures throughout the day. Drivers can find the latest information about road conditions and travel alerts on CDOT's traveler information website, COtrip.
CDOT said westbound Interstate 70 was closed twice between U.S. Highway 6 and C-470 after multiple slide-offs and crashes were reported.
Eastbound I-70 is back open after being closed between U.S. Highway 40 and C-470.
Eastbound U.S. 36 was closed just east of Boulder due to safely concerns, but it is back open.
Highway 119 was closed in both directions between Boulder and Nederland due to safety concerns but it has reopened, according to CDOT.
CDOT also said that Berthoud Pass would be closed overnight Saturday as crews perform winter maintenance.
Multiple agencies were on accident alert due to the weather, including Caste Rock Police, Lakewood Police, Arvada Police, Broomfield Police, the City of Centennial and Douglas County.
When agencies are on accident alert, drivers involved in crashes with vehicles that are still drivable and did not cause any injuries or involve drugs or alcohol are asked not to call 911 and report the crash at a later time.
Arvada Fire said crews were responding to incidents on the roadways all day Saturday due to difficult driving conditions. Arvada Police said the city's team was out with 15 snowplows, but they were having difficulty keeping up with the snowfall.
The City of Aurora said it was deploying 19 plows due to the snow.
In the event of severe winter weather and deteriorating road conditions, CDOT may close state-owned roadways and implement safety closures if there are spinouts or other incidents along the highways.
CDOT said it is important that motorists make sure their vehicles are packed with equipment that may be necessary in the event of a road closure over the holiday weekend.
Motorists can visit COtrip.org, the COtrip Planner app or call 511 for the latest road conditions and updated information about highway closures.
FORECAST: Full forecast
CLOSURES: Full list of closures
ALERTS: Latest Colorado weather alerts
Colorado chain and traction laws
CDOT urged travelers to be aware of chain and traction law codes before heading out on the roadway:
- Code 18/Commercial Chain Law: Commercial vehicles and trucks must have chains. Vehicles without chains can often lose traction, causing traffic delays and sometimes road closures. For the safety of the traveling public, it's critical to use chains to comply with Colorado's chain law.
- Code 15/Passenger Traction Law: All passenger vehicles must have appropriate all-weather tires with 3/16-inch depth. Vehicles must have one of the following: winter tires, tires with mud/snow (M+S) designation, chains or alternative traction devices such as an autosock. 4WD and AWD vehicles must have winter tires or all-weather tires.
- Code 16/Passenger Chain Law: All passenger vehicles need chains, except for 4WD and AWD vehicles with all-weather tires with 3/16-inch tread depth.
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