CDOT says to stay home during winter storm this weekend

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DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is advising Coloradans to avoid traveling this weekend due to a potentially "high-impact" snowstorm expected to arrive to the Front Range by Friday evening.

The storm is expected to last through the weekend. "The last time a storm like this swept the state was in 2003 with up to six feet in parts of the foothills," CDOT said in a news release. 

A March 10 update from the National Weather Service said travel conditions are expected to be "difficult to impossible."

The NWS is expecting "heavy wet snow" in the Front Range, foothills, and northeast plains. Experts also say there is a "low to medium" potential that this weekend's storm could approach the levels of the 2003 winter storm, which dumped about 32 inches of snow on Denver.

"Heavy accumulations are possible along I-70, I-25 and other highway corridors in the foothills and the Front Range," officials with CDOT wrote.

The agency provided the following tip for drivers (all-caps emphasis theirs):

  • If you are planning to travel the I-70 mountain corridor for a weekend in the mountains, head to your destination BEFORE the storm, before Friday evening.
  • Regardless of your destination, get there before the storm hits.
  • AVOID traveling on impacted roads during the storm, throughout the Denver metro area, on the I-70 Mountain Corridor and I-25 South Gap construction zone between Castle Rock and Monument.  CDOT is likely to close these roadways for safety reasons depending on the severity of the storm.
  • It is also possible I-70 east of Airpark Road and other roadways in the Eastern Plains may close depending on the severity of the storm.
  • CDOT crews will be out in force and plowing roads, focusing on clearing I-25, I-70 and impacted interstates.  They will make multiple passes on these roads during the storm and will not be able to plow the secondary routes until the worst of the storm has passed.  This means many roadways could be heavily snow packed, making for hazardous driving conditions.
  • During a significant and high impact snow storm, travel should be limited to emergency and essential reasons with the proper vehicle and tires for heavy snow.  DO NOT ATTEMPT to drive in such weather conditions unless you have the appropriate tires with good tread. Motorists should leave ample distance behind the vehicle ahead and NOT PASS PLOWS.  If you are out in the storm, have an emergency kit with blankets, food, batteries, water, a shovel and survival supplies should you get stuck or stranded.
  • It’s best to STAY OFF THE ROADS DURING A HEAVY SNOW EVENT.
  • For more information on preparing for the snow, chain and traction laws and other winter storm related guidance, go to winter.codot.gov.

 

For more information, sign up for travel alerts here and check road conditions here.

Stay safe, Colorado.