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Winter forces brief closure of Independence Pass

Aspen Times Staff

Independence Pass is back open after a return of wintery weather forced its brief closure early this morning.

High winds and drifting snow, along with disabled vehicles blocking the road, forced the closure shortly before 5 a.m., according to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department. The Colorado Department of Transportation had the pass back open at 5:40 a.m.

Cold rain that fell in Aspen for much of the weekend turned to snow Sunday night at higher elevations.



The 12,095-foot pass east of Aspen is a popular recreational destination and shortcut to points south and east, including Denver. Only open in the summer and fall, it opened shortly before Memorial Day weekend.