(COLORADO) — The snowstorm on Thursday, March 14, has caused difficult driving conditions with snow-packed and slushy road conditions across the state, and dangerous conditions have prompted several road closures.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reports that crews are working nonstop to keep the roads open as much as possible. They are urging people to stay off the road whenever possible and make sure that for those who have to venture out, vehicles are equipped to handle conditions. Drivers who must head out should be sure to maintain slower speeds, keep plenty of room between themselves and the vehicles ahead of them, avoid sudden stops, and use extreme caution.

Driving conditions are particularly treacherous on I-25 between Castle Rock and northern Colorado Springs, as well as on roads in the Palmer Divide communities, where over 10 inches of snow have accumulated.

Road Closures

Several roads across the state have been closed due to unsafe conditions, and others because of accidents blocking roads and making travel hazardous. CDOT reports that as of 8:20 a.m., the following closures are in place:

• I-70 in both directions between Morrison and Silverthorne because of adverse conditions and semi-truck crashes due to lack of chains.
• Southbound US 285 just south of C-470 is closed due to a jackknifed semi-truck.
• Highway 119 is closed due to adverse conditions and power outages have been reported.
• US 40 Berthoud Pass and US 6 Loveland Pass are closed due to adverse conditions and avalanche recovery after a natural slide occurred overnight. Additional winter operations will be necessary to make sure that the roads are safe to reopen.
• US 40/I-70 Frontage Road is closed.

Public Transportation closures

According to the Mountain Metropolitan Transit in Colorado Springs, bus service will stop at 10 a.m. on March 14, due to worsening road conditions. This is for all routes and includes both fixed-route and Metro Mobility services.

Crashes

Numerous crashes have been reported across the state, creating obstacles in the road that have become difficult to navigate. Many semis have either gotten stuck in the snow or jackknifed, often due to a lack of chains on their tires.

Meteorologist Megan Montero was out in the FOX21 Storm Squatch, reporting on the road conditions on I-25 around 8 a.m., when she witnessed a crash blocking the interstate near Baptist Road. She reported that CSPD is encouraging drivers to avoid this dangerous intersection, as it’s a very serious crash that they are working on. They also caution drivers that there have been multiple cars reported sliding off the road due to the slippery conditions.

Driving Preparations

For travelers who can’t avoid getting out on the road, there are several ways they can be prepared. Drivers can get real-time updates on the latest traffic conditions and road closures through COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app. Through the app, drivers can set up travel alerts or use the trip planner feature that allows users to map out their routes or receive updates about road closures or incidents along the way.

The City of Colorado Springs also provides a website where drivers can check traffic cameras for visuals of road conditions that are periodically updated. CDOT’s social media channels, especially X (formerly Twitter), will not be updated with real-time information. If it’s possible, drivers should monitor the situation and avoid driving during the brunt of the storm.

Drivers should make sure they have their car’s tank as full as possible, that their car is winterized, and that they have a snow emergency kit in their car. More tips for how to prepare can be found on the City of Colorado Springs website.

Traction Laws and Chain Law

The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is reminding drivers that they should make sure their vehicle is winter-ready with appropriate tires for the weather. For passenger vehicles, this means following Traction Laws, which means that all motorists are required to have either:

• 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle and 3/16 inch tread depth
• Tires with a mud and snow designation (M+S icon) and 3/16 inch tread depth
• Winter tires (mountain-snowflake icon) and 3/16 inch tread depth
• Tires with an all-weather rating by the manufacturer and 3/16 inch tread depth
• Chains or an approved alternative traction device

Drivers who are caught with inadequate equipment when a Traction Law or Chain law is in effect can be fined more than $150, and those who block the roadway, because they have inadequate equipment, could be fined more than $650. Commercial vehicles, such as semi-trucks, are required to follow Colorado’s Chain Law, which requires trucks over certain weights to use chains on their tires.

Driving Tips

The City of Colorado Springs website advises travelers to remember a few rules of thumb while driving on snow:

• Accelerate gradually
• Avoid abrupt steering maneuvers
• Merge slowly, since sudden movements can cause your vehicle to slide
• Look farther ahead in traffic than you normally do to respond to the actions of other drivers
• Give plenty of time for stopping, especially when on a hill
• If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it
• If you don’t have anti-lock breaks, gently pump the pedal
• Never slam on the brakes
• Four-wheel drive cars and SUVs may get going faster, but can’t always stop sooner, so follow the same tactics for slow stops