The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to expect additional traffic in numerous areas of the state due to the many events and recreational activities taking place over the Labor Day weekend.
Beginning at noon on Friday, CDOT is suspending all construction projects to reduce potential traffic delays. The only exception is for emergency operations. Projects can resume their regular schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Heavier traffic should be anticipated over the holiday weekend along the Front Range, on mountain highways, and most notably on Interstate 70 west of Denver. Traffic on I-70 is at its peak primarily from mid-morning until early evening on Friday, and from early morning to mid-afternoon on Saturday. Eastbound I-70 traffic will be at its highest on Labor Day from mid-morning to late afternoon, especially from Eagle and Summit counties to the Denver area.
Travel through the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels on non-holiday weekends during the summer high travel season – early July through mid-August – averages 44,744 vehicles per day. Labor Day Weekend traffic averages 46,890 vehicles. In 2024, holiday traffic through the EJMT was as follows:
| Labor Day Weekend | Westbound | Eastbound | Total |
| Friday, Aug. 30 | 31,699 | 18,802 | 50,501 |
| Saturday, Aug. 31 | 28,194 | 18,152 | 46,346 |
| Sunday, Sept. 1 | 20,470 | 26,038 | 46,508 |
| Monday, Sept. 2 | 15,394 | 28,813 | 44,207 |
| Total | 95,757 | 91,805 | 187,562 |
The mountain express lanes will be operating Friday through Monday – westbound from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and eastbound from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, the hours of operation may be modified due to traffic conditions.
Two of the state’s seasonal roadways – CO 82 over Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen and Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park – remain open through the fall until adverse weather requires a full closure for the winter. The highway to the top of Mount Blue Sky – CO 5 – remains closed for construction. Please visit the Federal Highway Administration webpage for more information.
Drivers can get the latest information on the status of the state’s roadways by checking www.cotrip.org or by calling 511. Specific information regarding I-70 is available at: www.GoI70.com.
Bustang, Bustang Outrider and Pegasus, CDOT’s transit system, provides an alternative for those who would rather not drive. It offers service to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, and the cities and towns between Denver and Grand Junction and between Fort Collins and Trinidad. Outrider is an option for travel to other rural areas of the state. And Pegasus shuttle vans serve the I-70 west corridor between Denver and Avon. Please visit: www.ridebustang.com
CDOT Safety Patrol vehicles are available to assist motorists in need and to keep traffic flowing over Labor Day weekend. The coverage area includes major highways in the Denver area and I-25 north of Denver to Fort Collins and south of Denver to Colorado Springs. Peak patrol times are 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Off-Peak patrol times are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Weekend Patrol is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
