DENVER, COLORADO – In a swift response to escalating winter storm conditions, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced the closure of two critical mountain passes. Both Loveland Pass and Vail Pass have been shut down due to safety concerns amidst a severe winter storm that is expected to blanket Colorado’s northeast mountain regions with heavy snowfall.
UPDATE (April 16, 9:24 MST): CDOT announced that Vail Pass is reopened to traffic. Additional closures may be required. Motorists are encouraged to remain vigilent and check the conditions online at www.cotrip.org.
ORIGINAL STORY: As of Monday, Loveland Pass is closed between Montezuma Road and I-70, covering Mile Points 220 to 229. This precautionary measure affects a stretch of road just east of Keystone. CDOT has advised that hazardous material vehicles stage at Eisenhower Tunnel and will be escorted at the top of each hour as traffic conditions permit.
Similarly, Vail Pass is also inaccessible between Exit 180 (East Vail) and Exit 190 (Vail Pass Summit) at Mile Point 180. Travelers should expect delays and plan alternate routes as the storm progresses.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning effective from 3 PM Monday to 3 PM Tuesday, forecasting 8-18 inches of snow with wind gusts up to 60 mph, particularly affecting the northern Front Range where the brunt of the storm will hit.
Joel Gratz, founder and lead meteorologist at OpenSnow, anticipates variable snow totals ranging from 5-10 inches, with potential for significant “upside surprises” in certain areas. “A strengthening storm can lead to deeper-than-expected powder,” Gratz noted, highlighting that mountains near popular ski resorts like Eldora Mountain, Winter Park, and Arapahoe Basin might receive up to 14 inches of snow.
Following the storm, forecasters expect the weather to clear up briefly before another series of lighter showers hits the mountain areas. The long-term outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests warmer-than-average temperatures with near-normal precipitation levels over the next two weeks.
Motorists are urged to stay informed through official channels and exercise caution when planning travel in these conditions. Visit https://www.cotrip.org/ to learn more.
