Independence Pass is now open for the 2025 summer travel season. The opening marks the first time the road will be open since late October.
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CDOT
Crews from the Colorado Department of Transportation opened Highway 82 at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
The road gives drivers a scenic way to get to Aspen. It connects Twin Lakes in Park County with Aspen in Pitkin County.
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CDOT
Every year CDOT uses explosives, some dropped from helicopters, to trigger avalanches on the pass so snow slides won't be a problem for drivers once the roadway opens.
The opening means drivers in Colorado's mountains have another option for high country road tripping. Earlier in the day on Thursday Guanella Pass also opened for the season.
Jesse Sarles
Jesse Sarles manages the web content and website operations for CBS Colorado. He writes articles about Colorado news and sports in and around the Denver area.