Highway 82 at Independence Pass closes for the winter season – Garfield County, Colorado
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Snow on Independence Pass. in this Colorado Deprtament of Transportation photo.

Highway 82 at Independence Pass closes for the winter season

CDOT implements annual closure for safety of crews and motorists

CDOT PRESS RELEASE
November 3, 2026

As of November 3, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has closed Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass between Aspen and Twin Lakes for the 2026-2027 winter season.

CDOT originally closed the pass temporarily on Saturday, October 31, due to safety concerns surrounding a winter storm that brought several inches of snow and windy, hazardous conditions on the pass, but have now extended the closure into the seasonal closure due to the amount of snowfall and additional storms projected for the region.

During the seasonal closure, motorists traveling to Aspen from the Denver Metro area must use westbound Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then travel south on CO 82 to Aspen. Independence Pass closure gates near Aspen and Twin Lakes will remain closed until CDOT reopens the pass next spring, typically around the Memorial Day holiday weekend, weather permitting.

This annual seasonal closure is essential for ensuring the safety of maintenance equipment operators and the traveling public during winter. Plowing the steep switchbacks on CO 82 is unsafe during the winter months due to severe avalanche hazards along key sections of the corridor.

“This morning our maintenance teams conducted an assessment of Highway 82 at Independence Pass and found significant snow drifts blocking the roadway, making it hazardous for travel,” said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Jason Smith. “Looking at those drifts, the prediction for several more inches of snow in the next storms and on the advice of our partners at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, we made the decision to close the pass for the season. We try to keep it open as long as possible, but the decision to close the pass is for the safety of the traveling public and our CDOT crews.”

Independence Pass typically closes in late October or early November, depending on weather conditions.

Recent closure history
2020 – Nov. 13
2021 – Oct. 28
2022 – Nov. 4
2023 – Oct. 30
2024 – Oct. 31
2025 – Nov. 17

About Independence Pass
A designated Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway, Independence Pass is the highest paved state highway in Colorado, crossing the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet. Although paved, the road is narrow and curvy in many sections making driving conditions challenging. The route includes steep drop-offs and several stretches that can accommodate only a single vehicle, requiring drivers to use caution and remain alert when encountering oncoming traffic.

The summit of Independence Pass is located 18 miles west of Twin Lakes and 19 miles east of Aspen, crossing the Continental Divide through the Sawatch Range. The pass stretches 32 miles of mountainous terrain, winding through San Isabel National Forest on the east side and White River National Forest on the west.

Snow as deep, and deeper in spots, than the guardrails on Independence Pass has made travel on the high-mountain roadway dangerous. With strong winds causing deep snow drifts and more snow forecasted, CDOT leadership decided to close the pass for the season for the safety of CDOT crews and the traveling public.