CDOT: Avoid these roads amid blizzard-like conditions

Brooke Williams
·3 min read

DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Department of Transportation is warning drivers of blizzard-like conditions causing little to no visibility in some areas on Monday morning.

A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day is in effect for Monday, as road conditions could be hazardous in several areas for the morning commute.

Denver weather: Where, when and how much snow to expect in Colorado Sunday

CDOT said the weather was of particular concern along these roads:

  • Interstate 70 to the Eisenhower Tunnel

  • U.S. Highway 40 near Berthoud Pass

  • C-470

  • Interstate 25 near Palmer Divide

  • Interstate 70 and Interstate 76 eastbound out of Denver

“Use caution when traveling, and be aware of possible safety closures due to adverse weather conditions,” CDOT said.

As of 5 a.m. Monday these roads were closed:

  • U.S.-385 is closed in both directions from Cheyenne Wells to Burlington

  • As of 8 p.m. Sunday, Colorado Highway 119 was closed in both directions at Rollinsville Road (Nederland) due to safety concerns. This photo shows CO 119 at Mile Post 22 NB at CO 72/Coal Creek Canyon Rd. looking East. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
    As of 8 p.m. Sunday, Colorado Highway 119 was closed in both directions at Rollinsville Road (Nederland) due to safety concerns. This photo shows CO 119 at Mile Post 22 NB at CO 72/Coal Creek Canyon Rd. looking East. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
  • As of 9 p.m. Sunday, Interstate 70 closed westbound between Exit 232: US 40; Empire Junction and Exit 228: CR 381; Georgetown. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
    As of 9 p.m. Sunday, Interstate 70 closed westbound between Exit 232: US 40; Empire Junction and Exit 228: CR 381; Georgetown. (Colorado Department of Transportation)

The Colorado Department of Transportation has a tool, Cotrip, which shows current road conditions and closures at a given moment.

Around 7 p.m. Sunday, westbound Interstate 70 was closed between Exit 251: U.S. 40; El Rancho and Exit 248: Beaver Brook/Floyd Hill.

Heavy traffic was backed up in the area. Here is what conditions looked like in the closed area before plows came through, allowing traffic to follow. The roadway has been reopened.

  • Interstate 70 was closed Sunday night due to dangerous driving conditions. Heavy traffic backed up. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
    Interstate 70 was closed Sunday night due to dangerous driving conditions. Heavy traffic backed up. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
  • As of 7:10 p.m. Sunday, westbound Interstate 70 was closed between Exit 251: US 40; El Rancho and Exit 248: Beaver Brook/Floyd Hill. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
    As of 7:10 p.m. Sunday, westbound Interstate 70 was closed between Exit 251: US 40; El Rancho and Exit 248: Beaver Brook/Floyd Hill. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
  • Part of the road was reopened just after 7, but the safety closure was still in place. Here is what conditions look like in the closed area before plows came through, allowing traffic to follow. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
    Part of the road was reopened just after 7, but the safety closure was still in place. Here is what conditions look like in the closed area before plows came through, allowing traffic to follow. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
  • Part of the road was reopened just after 7, but the safety closure was still in place. Here is what conditions look like in the closed area before plows came through, allowing traffic to follow. (Colorado Department of Transportation)
    Part of the road was reopened just after 7, but the safety closure was still in place. Here is what conditions look like in the closed area before plows came through, allowing traffic to follow. (Colorado Department of Transportation)

Avalanche dangers are also expected on many mountain passes, and CDOT said in a press release that there could be safety closures on Loveland Pass, Berthoud Pass, West Loop Road along the I-70 mountain corridor, CO 65 Grand Mesa, U.S. 50 Monarch Pass and U.S. 550 mountain corridor.

Denver weather: Blast of wind, cold and snow to impact travel into Monday

Additionally, freezing temperatures may create icy and slick road conditions through Monday morning.

Monday, CDOT is expecting a challenging morning commute. Roads could be slick, though conditions are expected to improve around 9 a.m.

Denver, Colorado weather resources

Stay prepared for storms and forecast changes, a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day and other important weather information:

The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to update the forecast multiple times each day.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.