The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is advising drivers to expect heavier traffic across the state in the coming weeks as holiday travel increases. Areas along the Front Range are likely to see more vehicles before and after Christmas, especially near large shopping centers.
“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 reduce congestion during the holidays, CDOT will halt construction projects statewide by noon on December 24 and December 31. No work is planned for December 25 or January 1. The I-70 Floyd Hill project will not have lane closures from December 20 through January 5. Travelers are encouraged to use COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for real-time alerts and specific information about projects. Additional details are available at codot.gov/projects.
Heavy traffic is also expected on the I-70 Mountain Corridor between Denver and Eagle County during the week following Christmas due to increased recreational travel. According to CDOT data from last year, daily vehicle counts along this corridor often exceed 40,000 around Christmas week.
For those heading to ski resorts or mountain destinations, CDOT’s Snowstang bus service offers roundtrip express transportation on holiday weekends to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Loveland Ski Area. More information is available at ridebustang.com.
A new online hub has been launched by CDOT for travelers using the I-70 Mountain Corridor. This site provides resources such as shuttle options, live cameras, road conditions, safety tips, and laws relevant for safe travel in this region. The portal combines tools from COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app into one platform for easier access. More details can be found at codot.gov/travel/i70mountain.
CDOT’s Safety Patrol will be active during this period to assist motorists and maintain safety on major highways in Denver as well as I-25 in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. Drivers are reminded that if they see Safety Patrol vehicles or first responders stopped roadside, they must slow down or move over according to state law. Patrol schedules vary depending on peak times throughout weekdays and weekends; further information is provided at SafetyPatrolinfo.com and on CDOT’s website.
