The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has stated that US Highway 50 Monarch Pass will be closed for winter maintenance. The closure will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 9. It is expected to last two hours. Both eastbound and westbound motorists will be stopped. There will be one delay of up to two hours. Travelers should plan their trips or find other routes.
The closure points are at Sargents and Maysville. The CDOT has said that these times may change based on weather, snow, and avalanche danger. The department may need to close the road quickly for control missions. These could last several hours.
Travelers should check the COtrip.org website for updates. Backcountry users should also check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) website. If the weather worsens, CDOT will enforce the Traction Law or Chain Laws. Motorists will be informed through highway signs, COtrip.org, and alerts.
The CDOT advises motorists to use COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app. The app provides travel alerts, route planning, and updates about road closures. It also has a voice notification feature and can track CDOT snow plows.