Thanksgiving week brought more than just holiday travel to Colorado’s high country. A massive winter storm dumped over two feet of snow on the region last week, halting traffic and creating havoc in Glenwood Canyon. 

Eastbound Interstate 70, between mile markers 131 and 116 near Glenwood Springs, was closed four times during the storm, including once for a multi-vehicle crash that required recovery. Speed limits were also reduced twice as road conditions deteriorated under the weight of snow and ice.

For many, the storm served as a stark reminder of the hazards associated with traveling through Glenwood Canyon in winter. Austyn Dineen, communications manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation’s I-70 Mountain Corridor, said canyon closures are often the result of proactive safety measures.

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“CDOT will proactively close a highway segment when unsafe conditions warrant it,” Dineen said. “Low or greatly reduced visibility, avalanche hazards, wildfire hazards, (geological) hazards, bridge strikes — these are all factors. When possible, we will close the road before conditions are unsafe.”

Dineen explained that road closures are often implemented as conditions worsen and safety becomes the priority, even over maintaining open travel.

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“CDOT crews work around the clock to clear snow and ice, but sometimes roads need to be closed,” Dineen said. “We do this when the conditions are no longer safe for even our own crews to be out.”

The closure for the multi-vehicle crash last week highlighted the complexity of operations in the canyon. Restoring traffic after such incidents requires coordination between CDOT, Colorado State Patrol, tow truck companies, and local emergency services. Dineen emphasized that CDOT’s goal is to reopen roads as quickly as possible while prioritizing safety.

“When conditions return to near-normal levels, we reopen the roads as quickly as possible,” Dineen said. “The goal of winter maintenance operations is to restore road surfaces to safe winter driving conditions as swiftly as we can.”

Colorado State Patrol officers were also busy during the storm, ensuring compliance with chain laws and speed limits in Glenwood Canyon and across the Western Slope. Sherri Mendez, public information officer with state patrol, urged drivers to be vigilant and report any unsafe behavior.

“It helps when citizens can call and help us if they see someone not following the chain law,” Mendez said. “They’re welcome to call *CSP to make a traffic complaint.”

The penalties for violating chain laws are steep. Drivers who fail to comply with winter driving restrictions face a $500 fine. Vehicles that block the roadway due to non-compliance can face fines of $1,000, plus a $157 surcharge. Mendez said state patrol has increased patrols in key areas like Glenwood Canyon to improve enforcement.

“We recently graduated a class of troopers and have another in the academy,” Mendez said. “We’re trying our best to fulfill needs not just in the canyon but statewide.”

Looking ahead, CDOT is planning significant upgrades to Glenwood Canyon to improve safety and reduce closures. Guardrail replacements are scheduled to begin next year, with additional projects planned for the coming years.

“CDOT will be replacing guardrails in Glenwood Canyon next year and plans to continue this work in the coming years to enhance driver safety,” Dineen said. “It’s important for motorists to understand that factors such as driving too fast for roadway conditions and a lack of familiarity with driving in mountain canyons will remain ongoing challenges in keeping this section of the I-70 Mountain Corridor open and running smoothly.”

Other infrastructure improvements, like rockfall netting, have already proven to be effective in mitigating hazards.

“Rockfall netting is located in numerous locations throughout Glenwood Canyon,” Dineen said. “This netting has proven to be very efficient at catching rocks before causing impacts and potential delays on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. CDOT continually monitors the accumulation behind the netting and cleans it out as needed.”

To ensure safer and more efficient travel, CDOT utilizes a variety of tools and partnerships, including meteorologists, weather forecasting systems, and collaborations with agencies like the National Weather Service and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Real-time updates on conditions are available on COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app, which also feature live camera feeds from the canyon.

“Highway operations are guided by a range of factors, including snow storm intensity, accumulation, air and pavement temperatures, wind conditions, and traffic patterns,” Dineen said.

CDOT also stations emergency response vehicles and tow trucks in Glenwood Springs to quickly address incidents and keep the canyon operational.

Despite CDOT’s and state patrol’s best efforts, drivers play a key role in ensuring safe travel through Glenwood Canyon. Mendez said drivers should plan ahead, use appropriate winter equipment, and be cautious in challenging conditions.

“We’re always trying to be proactive out there,” Mendez said. “But safety starts with drivers being prepared and following the rules.”