CDOT warns travelers to anticipate heavy holiday traffic statewide

Travel Advisory

Denver - The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to expect heavier traffic in many areas of the state over the next couple of weeks as people prepare to travel during the holidays. Drivers should expect increased traffic along the Front Range before and after the Christmas holiday, due to the number of large shopping areas located on or near the urban corridors.

"Wherever your travels take you, plan to drive sober, take it slow, and give yourself plenty of time to arrive safely," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "We ask every driver to respect the road and each other so we can all enjoy the holiday season."

To ease holiday traffic, CDOT will suspend construction projects statewide by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 31. No work is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. In addition, there will be no lane closures on the I-70 Floyd Hill project on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, until Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. As always, motorists are encouraged to check COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for real-time alerts and specific project details. Project details can also be viewed online at codot.gov/projects.

I-70 Mountain Corridor Travel

Heavy traffic also is anticipated along the I-70 Mountain Corridor between Denver and Eagle County during the week following Christmas due to traditional increases in recreational travel. Christmas week is one of the higher travel periods in Colorado.

2024 Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels vehicle counts

2025 I-70 Mountain Express Lanes holiday travel schedule

Snowstang and Bustang

For skiers, snowboarders and vacationers who prefer another option to travel to the high country, CDOT is running its Snowstang bus service on the holiday weekends, with roundtrip express service to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Loveland Ski Area. For more information, visit ridebustang.com.

I-70 Mountain Corridor website

CDOT created a brand-new online hub specifically for the I-70 Mountain Corridor, offering everything you need for smooth, safe travel. From shuttle options and real-time road conditions to live corridor cams and essential safety tips and laws, it's vital information all in one convenient location. This easy-to-use resource brings together the best tools from COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app into a single, centralized hub. CDOT officials remind travelers that conditions along the I-70 Mountain Corridor are different, compared to other traditional highways, therefore travel plans should be too. More information is available at codot.gov/travel/i70mountain.

CDOT Safety Patrol, sponsored by GEICO

The CDOT Safety Patrol is available to assist motorists, increase safety and keep traffic flowing for all users. If you see the Safety Patrol or other first responders on the roadside, slow down or move over - it's the law. The Safety Patrol provides coverage along major highways in Denver and I-25 in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs with Peak Patrol from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Off-Peak Patrol is from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the Weekend Patrol provides coverage from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information can be found at SafetyPatrolinfo.com and on the CDOT website.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to "know before you go." Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• Check scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!