ROARING FORK BROADCASTING COMPANY
Independence Pass was closed on Monday afternoon in both directions due to expectations of a winter storm.
The closure by the Colorado Department of Transportation was expected to be in effect through Wednesday morning, according to a Pitkin County alert.
“Please note, that this is not necessarily a seasonal closure. CDOT will reassess conditions on Wednesday to determine if Independence Pass will reopen this season,” the alert said.
Last year, on Oct. 26, the winter gates of Highway 82 were locked east of Aspen and west of Twin Lakes for the same reason — expectations of a winter storm. At the time, CDOT said the closure was not necessarily seasonal. However, that ended up being the case, as the Indy Pass gates were not reopened until May 31.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction issued a winter weather advisory that went into effect at 6 p.m. Monday for areas above 9,000 feet. The advisory said snow was expected in the Elk Mountain range and areas around Aspen and Snowmass.
The NWS advisory added that valley rain and mountain snow could be expected today (Tuesday).
“Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches with locally higher amounts possible,” the advisory warned. “Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. … Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes.”
Colder temperatures are expected to follow the storm late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Independence Pass is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway maintained by CDOT. It is the highest paved state highway in Colorado, crossing the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet.
Though a paved road, it is also narrow and curvy on several stretches and difficult to traverse in poor weather. The pass also has steep drop-offs in places along the route. Several areas of the roadway can only accommodate a single car width, so drivers must use caution and pay close attention when confronted with oncoming traffic.
The summit of Independence Pass is located 18 miles west of Twin Lakes and 19 miles east of Aspen and crosses the Continental Divide over the Sawatch Range. The pass travels through 32 miles of mountainous terrain. It winds through the San Isabel National Forest on the east and White River National Forest on the west side of the divide.