Independence Pass on Colorado 82 closed for the season

Independence Pass on Colorado 82 has closed for the season after Thursday’s snow storm.

The roadway closed temporarily after a storm on Oct. 23, but the closure was extended Friday morning to a seasonal closure, the Colorado Department of Transportation reported.

Closure gates will be down near Aspen and Twin Lakes to keep maintenance equipment operators and travelers safe during the winter season.

The alternate route from Denver to Aspen is on Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then south on Colo. 82.

Independence Pass typically reopens the Thursday prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, weather permitting.

Dates for closures in previous years are:

• 2011 – Nov. 2
• 2012 – Nov. 9
• 2013 – Nov. 4
• 2014 – Nov. 12
• 2015 – Nov. 4
• 2016 – Nov. 17
• 2017 – Nov. 17
• 2018 – Nov. 5
• 2019 – Oct. 28
• 2020 – Nov. 13
• 2021 – Oct. 25

Independence Pass is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway and is the highest paved state highway in Colorado, crossing the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet. The pass travels through 32 miles of mountainous terrain as it winds through the San Isabel National Forest on the east and White River National Forest on the west side of the Divide.

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