{"id":1319789,"date":"2020-05-05T21:44:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-06T03:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/"},"modified":"2020-05-06T05:53:58","modified_gmt":"2020-05-06T11:53:58","slug":"independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Independence Pass will remain closed until at least June 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.6050583657588\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-996200-305\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled gallery-container\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague skins up to where the road is being plowed on the west side of the pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10.571428571429\">\n<p><strong>Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague skins up to where the road is being plowed on the west side of the pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague skins up to where the road is being plowed on the west side of the pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague walks down the road in between towering snow walls after CDOT cleared that section of road on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10.604\">\n<p><strong>Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague walks down the road in between towering snow walls after CDOT cleared that section of road on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-1-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-1.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague walks down the road in between towering snow walls after CDOT cleared that section of road on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-2-1024x657.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | A CDOT snowcat plows up to the Independence Pass summit preparing for the summer traffic on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47593582887701\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.5187165775401\">\n<p><strong>A CDOT snowcat plows up to the Independence Pass summit preparing for the summer traffic on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-2-1024x657.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-2.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-2-1024x657.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A CDOT snowcat plows up to the Independence Pass summit preparing for the summer traffic on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-3-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Slide debris on the west side of Independence Pass litter the mountainside from recent warmer temperatures on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10.517073170732\">\n<p><strong>Slide debris on the west side of Independence Pass litter the mountainside from recent warmer temperatures on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-3-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-3.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-3-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Slide debris on the west side of Independence Pass litter the mountainside from recent warmer temperatures on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-4-1024x686.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | A CDOT snowblower clears sections of road on the west side of Independence Pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.4747191011236\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.4943820224719\">\n<p><strong>A CDOT snowblower clears sections of road on the west side of Independence Pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-4-1024x686.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-4.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-4-1024x686.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A CDOT snowblower clears sections of road on the west side of Independence Pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-5-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague skins up the road towards the summit on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47704081632653\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.5408163265306\">\n<p><strong>Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague skins up the road towards the summit on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-5-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-5.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-5-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague skins up the road towards the summit on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-6-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-6-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | A CDOT snowcat works on the west side of Independence Pass to prepare for an early June opening on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47680412371134\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.5360824742268\">\n<p><strong>A CDOT snowcat works on the west side of Independence Pass to prepare for an early June opening on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-6-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-6.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-6-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A CDOT snowcat works on the west side of Independence Pass to prepare for an early June opening on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-7-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-7-1024x648.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | A melted part of the road at the Independence Pass summit peeks out from the snow on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.475\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.5\">\n<p><strong>A melted part of the road at the Independence Pass summit peeks out from the snow on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-7-1024x648.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-7.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-7-1024x648.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A melted part of the road at the Independence Pass summit peeks out from the snow on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-8-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-8-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague takes a photograph of the high snow walls surrounding the road on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10.554054054054\">\n<p><strong>Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague takes a photograph of the high snow walls surrounding the road on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-8-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-8.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-8-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague takes a photograph of the high snow walls surrounding the road on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-9-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-9-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | A CDOT plows where the cleared road ends on the west side of Independence Pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47457627118644\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.4915254237288\">\n<p><strong>A CDOT plows where the cleared road ends on the west side of Independence Pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/postindependent.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+PostIndependent.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-9-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-9.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/passprogress-atd-050620-1-9-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A CDOT plows where the cleared road ends on the west side of Independence Pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Highway 82 over Independence Pass will remain closed until at least June 1, the Colorado Department of Transportation confirmed Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">CDOT approved a request for the extended closure from Pitkin and Lake counties and other stakeholders that was submitted Tuesday afternoon. The highway over Independence Pass typically opens on the Thursday prior to Memorial Day Weekend, which would have been May 21 this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cCDOT understands the COVID-19 pandemic has created a unique situation and we support Pitkin County, Lake County, the Independence Pass Foundation and the Forest Service in keeping the communities safe and in control of visitors to these counties,\u201d CDOT said in a statement. \u201cWe will tentatively plan on opening Independence Pass, on Colorado 82, on June 1, but can adjust if these agency partners need us to.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Pitkin County Public Works Director Brian Pettet said there were multiple reasons for requesting the extended closure. The Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service won\u2019t allow any national forest facilities to open prior to June 1. That means the bathrooms at the Pass summit will remain closed. It wasn\u2019t a good idea to open the road and have travelers as well as people skiing and pursuing other outdoor activities heading up there with the expectation to find open facilities, Pettet said. The result would be a loss for the environment, he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col\" readability=\"6\">\n<div class=\"row gspi-donation gspi-donation-mobile p-0\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"col-xl-4 p-2\">\n<div data-bg=\"url(https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/03\/PI-logo-white.png)\" class=\"p-0 mt-2 mb-2 h-75 text-center rocket-lazyload\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/03\/PI-logo-white.png\" class=\"logo m-0 p-0 invisible\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"d-inline mr-3\">Support Local Journalism<\/h3>\n<p><button class=\"btn d-inline\" type=\"button\" onclick=\"handleDonationButtonClickMidArticle()\">Donate<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">In addition, Pitkin and Lake counties are discouraging tourists and second-home owners from visiting during the coronavirus crisis. Lodging in both counties is closed until at least the end of May. Opening the Pass could send a mixed message.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThat road is just another transportation valve,\u201d Pettet said. \u201cIt draws a tremendous amount of visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Keeping that value closed was deemed the best option, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Karin Teague, executive director of the Independence Pass Foundation, said the extended closure will be a big disappointment to backcountry skiers. On decent snowfall winters, skiers and snowboarders will park at the summit, climb nearby peaks, ski down and hitchhike or use shuttles to return. The summit is about 15 miles from the winter closure gate on the west side of the Pass, so that will drastically reduce the number of spring skiers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The skiers\u2019 loss will be the cyclists\u2019 gain. Numerous bikers are taking advantage of the closed roadway.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">On a ski tour Tuesday, CDOT crews were observed using a fleet of heavy equipment to make quick progress on clearing the road to the summit. They were about a quarter mile past Upper Lost Man at about 1:30 p.m. A snowcat with a blade in front was making a first pass at the roadway, which was buried by roughly 8 feet of snow along the Final Cut \u2014 the long straightaway with exposure hundreds of feet below to the valley floor. A front-end loader was scooping out snow and a plow outfitted with an industrial-sized snowblower were following and clearing out the roadway. As of the early afternoon, they had about 1 mile to go to reach the summit. Another CDOT crew was approaching from the east or Twin Lakes side of the Pass.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Snow-removal crews were able to advance to the high country after forecasters from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center examined conditions in the field and devised a plan of action late last week. Brian Lazar, the avalanche center\u2019s assistant director, said explosive charges were dropped by helicopter in dozens of locations on the west and east sides of the Pass.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe\u2019re up there most days, particularly when they are working under avalanche paths,\u201d Lazar said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">One area that receives particular attention is the Beeler Grade, an exposed stretch of the highway on the east side of the Pass. Multiple charges were used last week to collapse the long cornice overhanging the highway, Lazar said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">CDOT crews didn\u2019t have as big of a challenge as last spring in moving massive amounts of snow from the roadway. Last year, multiple avalanches buried the highway under tons of snow, tree trunks, dirt and rock. In addition, there was fresh snowfall through April \u2014 in contrast to the dry and warm conditions this year, particularly last week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cEvery year is different. This year, most striking was how quick and warm it got even in April,\u201d Lazar said. \u201cIt pumped a lot of water into the snowpack. In general, the snowpack doesn\u2019t like rapid changes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The high temperatures during the last week of April triggered a \u201cfairly significant wet avalanche cycle,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Signs of those slides abound on the pass, above the Independence ghost town and west of the Upper Lost Man parking area.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The CDOT crews typically start early in the morning when temperatures are cooler and, as a safety precaution, knock off in slide-prone areas by early- or mid-afternoon due to the threat of wet avalanches, according to Lazar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">With the opening of the Pass delayed until at least June 1, crews will have plenty of time to clear the snow to the summit and perform additional duties such as pavement repair and guardrail replacement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">In a statement provided by CDOT spokeswoman Elise Thatcher, the agency said it will continue to consult with partner agencies on the opening date.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe look forward to continuing to receive feedback so we can continue to support these partners,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:scondon@aspentimes.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">scondon@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/independence-pass-will-remain-closed-until-at-least-june-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Post Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague skins up to where the road is being plowed on the west side of the pass on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times Buy Photo Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague walks down the road in between towering snow walls after CDOT [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1319789","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-26 13:42:54","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSKE Ski Country","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1319789"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319789\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1319790,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319789\/revisions\/1319790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1319789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1319789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1319789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}