Chaffee County and Gunnison County government will be closing Cottonwood Pass (CR306) for the winter on Monday, November 2nd, at 9:00am. Both gates on the Chaffee County side and the Gunnison County side will be locked at that time.
Cottonwood Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 12,120 feet elevation, connecting Chaffee and Gunnison counties on Chaffee County Road 306 and Gunnison County Road 209. The Pass is generally closed from mid-fall through late spring due to heavy snow accumulation.
Motor vehicles (except snowmobiles, snowcats) are not permitted beyond the winter closure gate. Recreators are advised to travel up CR306 at their own risk, as no maintenance is provided during the seasonal winter closure months and emergency response access is challenging.
Chaffee County’s Road and Bridge Department aims to reopen Cottonwood Pass before Memorial Day 2027, conditions and snowpack permitting. Please contact the Chaffee County Road and Bridge Department at 719-539-4591 with any questions.
