Trail Ridge Rd. reopens on Memorial Day weekend

Several of Colorado's summer roads typically open for the Memorial Day weekend, but heavy snow is causing some delays this year.

Trail Ridge Road

Officials at Rocky Mountain National Park said crews have been working to clear Trail Ridge Road since late April.

Check out this photo of a snow plow driver working to clear Trail Ridge Road on May 4!

(PHOTO: Courtesy Fritz Prehn)

The goal was to open the road Friday, but that did not happen due to snow, sleet and low temperatures Thursday night.

Officials announced the road would reopen at 11 a.m. Saturday, but would close at 8 p.m. daily due to weather conditions until temperatures get warmer. 

Park officials recommend that visitors call (970) 586-1222 for recorded updates.

Mount Evans Highway

Mount Evans Highway is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday.

CDOT is opening State Highway 5 only to Summit Lake. Because of high snowfall in May, crews have been unable to finish clearing the road to the summit of Mount Evans (14,264 feet). 

CDOT said it expects the highway to be open to the summit on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30.

Depending on your destination, there are two fees this year:

• $10 Forest Service pass to visit the Mount Goliath Natural Area and Nature Center and/or the Summit of Mount Evans Interpretive Site
• $5 City of Denver pass to visit Summit Lake Park

There is no fee for driving through the area unless you plan to visit one of these sites. Bicyclists are exempt from the fee. Federal interagency passes are honored at all three sites.

Learn more aboutthe new fees.

Independence Pass

CDOT crews opened the gates State Highway 82 over Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen Thursday at noon.

Due to tight curves, steep inclines and narrow lanes on some sections of the pass, commercial and recreational vehicles 35 feet or longer are prohibited.

CDOT said if a late-season storm hits the area, snowplows operate on the highway from 5 a.m.-7 p.m.

Cottonwood Pass

Cottonwood Pass opened Thursday at 4 p.m.

Guanella Pass

Guanella Pass is scheduled to open this weekend. Call 303-679-2422, then press 2 for Guanella Pass information.

Kebler Pass 

Kebler Pass remains closed. There is no estimated time of reopening.

Check CDOT's website for the latest road opening information.