Snow Closes Independence Pass, CO for the Season | Earliest Closing in 9-Years

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Independence Pass, CO on May 23rd, 2019. Image: CDOT

Recent snowstorms, the latest this weekend, have brought enough snow to close Independence Pass near Aspen, CO for the winter, the earliest closing in 9-years.

“It was getting very difficult for our crews to keep up with the amount of snowfall on the Pass,” said Lisa Schwantes, spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Transportation. “Once that happens … it’s safer to just call it so we closed it for the season.”

An avalanche on the pass last week, and this weekend’s snowfall resulted in the decision being made to close the Pass on the Aspen and Twin Lakes sides at 7:45 am yesterday.

Independence Pass closed Nov. 5 last year and usually reopens the Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend, although that date wasn’t hit earlier this year as snowfall and avalanches severely restricted clearing crews in the spring.


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