The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has issued a reminder to motorists to expect increased traffic across the state during the Labor Day weekend. This uptick is due to various events and recreational activities marking the end of the summer travel season.
To help reduce potential delays, CDOT will suspend all construction projects starting at noon on Friday, except for emergency operations. Construction work will resume on Tuesday, September 2.
Heavier traffic is expected along key corridors such as the Front Range, mountain highways, and especially Interstate 70 west of Denver. CDOT reports that I-70 typically sees its highest westbound volume from mid-morning to early evening on Friday and from early morning to mid-afternoon on Saturday. Eastbound traffic peaks on Labor Day itself, particularly between Eagle and Summit counties heading toward Denver.
Travel through the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels averages 44,744 vehicles per day during non-holiday weekends in the peak summer months. Over Labor Day weekend, this number rises to an average of 46,890 vehicles per day. In 2024, a total of 187,562 vehicles passed through the tunnels over four days.
Mountain express lanes will be open from Friday through Monday: westbound from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and eastbound from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., though hours may change based on real-time traffic conditions.
Seasonal routes such as CO 82 over Independence Pass and Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park remain open until winter weather requires closure. However, CO 5 leading up Mount Blue Sky remains closed for construction; more details can be found at the Federal Highway Administration’s website (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/).
Drivers are encouraged to check current road conditions at cotrip.org or by calling 511. Information specific to I-70 is available at GoI70.com (https://goi70.com/).
For those looking for alternatives to driving, CDOT’s transit services—Bustang, Bustang Outrider and Pegasus—offer connections between major cities including Denver, Grand Junction, Fort Collins and Trinidad as well as Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Pegasus shuttle vans serve travelers along I-70 between Denver and Avon; more information is available at ridebustang.com (https://ridebustang.com/).
CDOT Safety Patrol vehicles will also be active throughout the holiday weekend assisting drivers in need along major highways in the Denver area as well as I-25 north toward Fort Collins and south toward Colorado Springs.
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