The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has closed Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass for the 2025/2026 winter season as of November 17. The closure affects the stretch between Aspen and Twin Lakes in Lake and Pitkin Counties.
The pass was initially closed temporarily on November 15 due to a winter storm that brought significant snowfall and hazardous, windy conditions. CDOT later extended the closure into its regular seasonal period after assessing the amount of snow and anticipating more storms in the region.
Jason Smith, CDOT’s Regional Transportation Director for Northwest Colorado, stated, “While the alternate route for the seasonal closure adds a few hours to drivers’ trips, the safety of the traveling public and our CDOT crews is our priority. We keep the pass open as long as conditions allow, but when Mother Nature tells us winter has arrived and it’s time to close the roadway, we listen.”
Independence Pass typically closes each year in late October or early November due to safety concerns. Over recent years, closures have occurred between late October and mid-November. The pass presents unique challenges because it reaches an elevation of 12,095 feet at its summit—the highest paved state highway in Colorado—and includes narrow sections with steep drop-offs that can be especially dangerous during poor weather.
During this seasonal closure, travelers heading to Aspen from Denver are advised to use Interstate 70 westbound to Glenwood Springs before taking CO 82 south into Aspen. Gates near Aspen and Twin Lakes will remain closed until CDOT determines it is safe to reopen the road next spring.
CDOT explained that maintaining equipment operations on steep switchbacks becomes unsafe during extreme winter conditions, and certain parts of CO 82 are exposed to avalanche hazards. Typically, crews evaluate conditions in spring with an aim to reopen Independence Pass around Memorial Day weekend if weather allows.
On November 17, following another inspection after additional snowfall from a recent storm, CDOT leadership decided—together with forecasters from CAIC—to implement the full seasonal closure for winter travel over Independence Pass.
