Heads up if you planning to ski today in Colorado as highway closures may effect operations at ski resorts. A major winter weather storm system arrived in Colorado Wednesday yesterday evening and will continue to impact travel today and Friday in what may amount to the biggest snowstorm in 3 years to hit the Front Range.
The Colorado Department of Transportation closed a 50 mile stretch of I-70 in both directions between the western side of the Denver metro and Silverthorne due to safety concerns from the winter weather.
The National Weather Service expects 9 to 18 inches of snow along the Interstate 25 corridor in Denver, Golden and Boulder between Wednesday and Friday, with feet of snow falling in the foothills. Snow is likely across Colorado’s Front Range and Interstate 25 corridor. Travel will be especially difficult in the foothills.
Hundreds of Colorado schools, businesses, museums and government offices are also closed Thursday due to the snow storm including Loveland Ski Area which is unable to open today due to the I-70 closure.
We highly recommend checking your desired ski resorts socials to see if they have altered their operational plans today before heading out the door. Be patient and be safe out there folks. To monitor the most up to date travel information go to CDOT x.com account HERE.
CDOT urges travelers to be aware of chain & traction law codes before heading out on the roadways:
- Code 18/Commercial Chain Law: Commercial vehicles and trucks must have chains. Vehicles without chains cars 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.