Southwest Colorado — On Wednesday morning, February 22, 2023, the Colorado Department of Transportation closed several freeways due to poor visibility and safety concerns. Many of the mountain corridors will remain closed throughout the night, with the closure potentially extending well into Thursday. CDOT continues to monitor safety concerns, including avalanche danger along southwest and south-central mountain passes.
Travelers should be aware that there may be additional highway closures across the region due to hazardous conditions. Closures are reported on COtrip.org along with current road conditions.
Confirmed closures that will remain in effect through Thursday, February 23 include:
CO 145 Lizard Head Pass (MP 48 – MP 61), between Rico and Trout Lake US 160 Wolf Creek Pass (MP 157 – MP 184), between Pagosa Springs and South Fork US 550 Mountain Corridor (MP 48 – 95), between Durango and Ouray
Other passes currently closed with no estimated opening time are:
US 285 Poncha Pass CO 17 Cumbres-La Manga Passes
CDOT is urging motorists to postpone travel plans for the magnitude of this storm system as treacherous conditions are reported throughout southwest and south-central Colorado.
A sample of COtrip.org web cameras late Wednesday afternoon shows poor visibility and wintry weather conditions on highways across the region.
Know before you go
Travelers are urged to “know before you travel.” Gather information about weather forecasts and expected travel impacts and current road conditions before setting off. CDOT resources include:
Remember: slow for the cone zone
The following tips are designed to help you travel safely through maintenance and construction work.
Do not accelerate in work areas. Observe the posted speed limits. Stay alert! Expect the unexpected. Watch out for workers. Drive carefully. Don’t change lanes unnecessarily. Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work areas. Turn on your headlights so workers and other drivers can see you. Be extra vigilant at night when driving in work areas. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times. Leave enough space between you and the car in front of you. Anticipate lane changes and drive together when prompted. Be patient! Download the COtrip app!
The new FREE mobile app COtrip Planner was developed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling audience. COtrip Planner app provides real-time traffic information nationwide and works on mobile devices operating on iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!
