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Colorado opens mountain passes early after low snowpack

John Frank

A snowplow on the road Tuesday morning at Rainbow Curve. Photo: Courtesy NPS — A snowplow on the road Tuesday morning at Rainbow Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo: Courtesy of NPS

This year's low snowpack is not all bad news: Colorado's mountain passes are opening earlier than ever.

Why it matters: Not only does it make trips faster, but opening the passes "signifies the winter to summer weather transition," Colorado Department of Transportation executive director Shoshana Lew said in a statement.

State of play: Most years, the passes don't open until the end of May, if not June, but this year, key roadways are being cleared of snow and debris ahead of schedule.

On Thursday, transportation officials will open:

Independence Pass, connecting Aspen to Twin Lakes and Leadville on Highway 82.
Cottonwood Pass, between Buena Vista and Almont by 5pm, weather allowing.
Kebler Pass, linking Crested Butte to Paonia.

In addition, the road to the top of Mount Blue Sky opens Friday for the first time since Labor Day 2024, when it was closed for maintenance. (Pro tip: Reservations are required.)

And Guanella Pass already opened April 16.

Yes, but: The popular Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park remains closed at Many Parks Curve after more than a foot of new snow fell Tuesday.

"Based on current conditions, along with incoming weather and wind in the extended forecast for high elevation areas of RMNP, it is unknown when Trail Ridge Road will open to vehicles for through travel," park officials posted on Instagram.

The bottom line: It's time to hit the road in Colorado.

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Colorado opens mountain passes early after low snowpack

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