Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon faced numerous challenges in 2024, with several efforts made to address safety and operational concerns. These included maintenance projects, legislative changes, and the introduction of new safety equipment.

Maintenance projects

In April, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) began a series of maintenance tasks along Glenwood Canyon. Crews replaced nearly 820 feet of guardrails with stronger, deeper-installed top rails designed to enhance safety and durability. Repairs also included hand-patching 165 square yards of potholes and applying nearly 55 tons of asphalt using machine-patching techniques. Lane closures for eastbound traffic were required during the work, and CDOT used electronic message boards and online updates to notify travelers of potential delays.

Safety enhancements and equipment

During the course of 2024, the Hanging Lake Tunnel Transportation Operations Center acquired a state-of-the-art fire apparatus. This equipment has been deployed for wildfire suppression and vehicle crash responses within Glenwood Canyon. All operations center staff received training to ensure the apparatus could be effectively operated in emergencies.

Reflective strips were installed along the canyon walls to improve visibility for drivers in low-light conditions, aiming to make travel through the area safer. Additionally, commercial vehicles were restricted to the right lane throughout Glenwood Canyon to reduce traffic risks and improve flow.

Legislative actions

A law signed in May by Gov. Jared Polis introduced several measures targeting safety concerns in Glenwood Canyon and other high-risk sections of Interstate 70. These included banning semi trailers from using the left lane in designated areas, as well as expanding chain requirements for commercial vehicles to Sept. 1-May 31., and establishing heightened speed limit enforcement zones. Glenwood Canyon was designated as one of these zones, subjecting commercial vehicles to double fines for speeding violations.

The legislation also tasked CDOT with examining the feasibility of temporarily closing roadways to commercial vehicles during severe snowstorms to prevent crashes and enhance safety during hazardous conditions.