PHOTOS: Summer arrives as Independence Pass opens for the season

News | May 23, 2025

Austin Colbert

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**People have their photo taken at the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.**
*Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times*

Independence Pass opened for the summer at 4 p.m., Thursday with more than 50 vehicles lined up near the winter closure gate to be among the first to the top this season.

Prior to opening the pass, which is a section of Highway 82 that connects Aspen to Twin Lakes and Leadville on the other side, Colorado Department of Transportation crews had to make numerous roadway repairs and mitigate any avalanche risks before allowing the public through.

“The annual opening of Independence Pass is an important step as we transition from winter weather to summer,” said Jason Smith, CDOT Region 3 Regional Transportation Director, in a news release. “This narrow, winding road allows tourists and travelers access to areas around Aspen and beyond. While it is closed in the winter, it takes motorists a couple of hours longer via detours. We are happy to say we made sure the necessary repairs were made so drivers can travel the road safely.”

Of note, CDOT and Pitkin County have removed the stop lights found along a narrow stretch of the road on the Aspen side. CDOT also wants to remind travelers that vehicles 35 feet or longer are prohibited on Independence Pass.

This is the earliest opening for the pass in recent years; last summer, it opened on May 31.

Colorado Department of Transportation workers unlock the winter closure gate to Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Cars wait to be among the first up Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.

The first vehicles head up Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Karin Teague, the executive director of the Independence Pass Foundation, watches as the first cars head up Independence Pass Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.

A view from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.

People enjoy the scenery from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.

A dog pokes its head out the back of a truck window at the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
People enjoy the scenery from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A scenic view from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Snow is melting quickly on Independence Pass as seen on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The first vehicles head up Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A scenic view from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A Colorado Department of Transportation worker locks his half of the winter closure gate for Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A view from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A cyclist reaches the winter closure gate moments after it was opened to traffic headed toward Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Karin Teague, the executive director of the Independence Pass Foundation, watches as the first cars head up Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The upper Roaring Fork River flows down from Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A woman enjoys the view from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Cars navigate a narrow section of road on Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Karin Teague, the executive director of the Independence Pass Foundation, watches as the first cars head up Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The first vehicles head up Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Colorado Department of Transportation workers unlock the winter closure gate to Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
People have their photo taken at the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Cars wait to be among the first up Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A scenic view from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
People enjoy the scenery from the top of Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The first vehicles head up Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A sign warns drivers of vehicles longer than 35 feet to turn around near the winter closure gate to Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Colorado Department of Transportation workers prepare to unlock the gate to Independence Pass for the summer on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Colorado Department of Transportation workers prepare to unlock the gate to Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The winter closure gate remains locked for a final few minutes on Independence Pass on Thursday, May 22, 2025, near Aspen. The pass opened to vehicle traffic for the summer season right at 4 p.m.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times