DENVER (KDVR) -- After over a week of avalanche mitigation and cleanup efforts, the gates to a popular mountain pass officially opened for the season on Thursday.
Many roads are beginning to open for the season, allowing access to adventure-worthy attractions that can only be visited during a few months of the year.
Coloradans will have a little extra time to explore areas between Aspen and Twin Lakes this summer, with Independence Pass, or Colorado Highway 82, opening earlier than it did the last 5 years.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced the opening on Thursday and said both sides of the pass were reopened to motorists. During the closure, drivers had to take a multi-hour detour instead.
CDOT said maintenance crews have worked long days since May 12 to complete the necessary work for the road to be deemed safe to open.
The agency said Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the roadway, which was buried under several feet of snow and debris.
Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways.Before Independence Pass opened for the 2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center crews dropped explosives from helicopters to intentionally cause avalanches and prevent future risk. Then, CDOT cleared the snow and debris from the roadways. ‘A whole new feel’: Here’s what’s new on 16th Street in DenverCDOT also replaced a significant portion of guard rails, fixed potholes, replaced damaged signs, cleared ditches of debris for water drainage and ensured the integrity of the shoulder of the road.
After over a week of avalanche mitigation, cleanup and repair work, the gates to Independence Pass officially opened for the season on May 22, 2025.After over a week of avalanche mitigation, cleanup and repair work, the gates to Independence Pass officially opened for the season on May 22, 2025.The opening on May 22 marks the earliest opening point in the season for that pass in six years. Here's when it opened in recent years:
June 1, 2020 May 27, 2021 May 26, 2022 May 25, 2023 May 31, 2024“The annual opening of Independence Pass is an important step as we transition from winter weather to summer,” said Jason Smith, CDOT Region 3 Regional Transportation Director. “This narrow, winding road allows tourists and travelers access to areas around Aspen and beyond. While it is closed in the winter, it takes motorists a couple of hours longer via detours. We are happy to say we made sure the necessary repairs were made so drivers can travel the road safely.”
CDOT noted that any vehicle or vehicle and trailer with a combined length of 35 feet or longer is prohibited on Independence Pass due to tight curves, steep inclines and narrow lanes.
There is also construction work happening in the area that will impact traffic. With loose rock and weather safety closures being a common occurrence on Independence Pass, CDOT recommends checking road conditions using its online COtrip tool before hitting the road.
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