Independence Pass will not reopen for the season, officials confirm

This year and 2017 tie for the latest seasonal closure date in a decade

News | Nov 19, 2025

Colin Suszynski

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**The Safety Closure that went into effect on Independence Pass on Nov. 15 was turned into a seasonal closure on Nov. 17. The closure sign sits just beyond the Lincoln Creek Road turn.**
*Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times*

The Colorado Department of Transportation announced on Monday that the safety closure of Independence Pass, which began at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15, became a seasonal closure as of Nov. 17.

“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,” Jason Smith, CDOT’s regional transportation director for Northwest Colorado, said in a press release. “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.”

While the storm that initially closed the pass created several inches of accumulation at Lincoln Creek Road, where the pass closure begins, CDOT crews made the decision that additional expected snow accumulation later this week and present pass conditions created by snowfall and wind over the weekend warranted the official seasonal closure.

OpenSnow’s report for the Independence Pass area noted that between early on Monday and Tuesday, around 5 inches had accumulated. As of Tuesday, OpenSnow was forecasting an additional 4 inches of snow in the next five days.

In the past 10 years, the latest the pass has closed for the season has been on Nov. 17, 2017. This year will mark another Nov. 17 seasonal closure.

The Safety Closure that went into effect on Independence Pass on Nov. 15 was turned into a seasonal closure on Nov. 17. The closure sign sits just beyond the Lincoln Creek Road turn.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
Lincoln Creek Road was open on Nov. 18 despite the seasonal closure on Independence Pass that took effect on Nov. 17. The pass was closed just beyond the pulloff for Lincoln Creek road.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
Independence Pass, as seen from the Weller Creek pulloff, closed for the season on Nov. 17. Drivers could go as far as Lincoln Creek Road before being met with the closure sign.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
Independence Pass, as seen from the Weller Creek pulloff, closed for the season on Nov. 17. Drivers could go as far as Lincoln Creek Road before being met with the closure sign.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
Independence Pass on Tuesday, seen the day after the seasonal closure took effect on Monday.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
The bridge at the Weller Creek trailhead sits covered in snow on Nov. 18. Independence Pass was closed for the season on Nov. 17 at Lincoln Creek Road allowing individuals could drive beyond the Weller Creek pulloff.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
Signs warn drivers, bikers, and pedestrians that Independence Pass is closed to cars ahead. The closure turned from a safety closure to a seasonal closure on Monday, Nov. 17.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
Signs warn drivers, bikers, and pedestrians that Independence Pass is closed to cars ahead. The closure turned from a safety closure to a seasonal closure on Monday, Nov. 17.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
Independence Pass on Tuesday, seen the day after the seasonal closure took effect on Monday.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times
Independence Pass, as seen from the Weller Creek pulloff, closed for the season on Nov. 17. Drivers could go as far as Lincoln Creek Road before being met with the closure sign.
Colin Suszynski/The Aspen Times