The popular and heavily-traveled Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass could open as early as next Monday, marking that date to be the highway’s earliest opening on record, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
CDOT crews plan to begin a resurfacing and bridge update project starting Monday on the east side of pass. A CDOT maintenance team, along with Colorado Avalanche Information Center avalanche experts will perform snowpack assessments to determine if the road can safely open next week.
April’s above-average temperatures and below average snowpack levels in both the Gunnison (63% of average) and Arkansas (67% of average) river basins during winter 2024-25 have prompted the tentative record-breaking opening date.
Historically, the high-mountain route between Aspen and Twin Lakes tends to open around Memorial Day, with the previous record for the earliest opening set on May 11, 2012…