Seasonal Closure in Place for Co 82 Independence Pass

Lake & Pitkin Counties — Colorado Highway 82 Independence Pass is closed for the winter. Due to continuing winter weather conditions including significant early snowfall this past weekend, the seasonal closure is now in place. The seasonal closure, which takes place every year, is necessary to keep maintenance equipment operators and the traveling public safe during the winter season. Plowing steep switchbacks on CO 82 on either side of the pass is not safe during winter months and sections of the roadway are exposed to significant avalanche hazard.

Closure gates will continue to be closed near Aspen and Twin Lakes. Motorists can reach Aspen from the Denver Metro Area via westbound Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then south on CO 82 to Aspen. CDOT typically reopens the pass on the Thursday prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, weather permitting.

Independence Pass

Independence Pass usually closes in November for the winter season. Dates for closures in previous years are:
2011    November 2
2012    November 9
2013    November 4
2014    November 12
2015    November 4
2016    November 17
2017    November 17
2018    November 5
2019    October 28
2020    November 13
2021    October 28
2022    November 4

Independence Pass is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway that is maintained by CDOT. It is the highest paved state highway in Colorado, crossing the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet.  Though it is a paved road, it is also narrow and curvy on several stretches and therefore difficult to traverse in poor weather. The pass also has steep drop-offs in places along the route. Several areas of the roadway can only accommodate a single car width, so drivers must use caution and pay close attention when confronted with oncoming traffic.

The summit of Independence Pass is located 18 miles west of Twin Lakes and 19 miles east of Aspen and crosses the Continental Divide over the Sawatch Range. The Pass travels through 32 miles of mountainous terrain. It winds through the San Isabel National Forest on the east and White River National Forest on the west side of the Divide.

During the winter months, heavy snowfall at the highest elevations of the pass makes it impossible to travel. Independence Pass is generally open during the summer months, from Memorial Day through November, depending on weather conditions.