Memorial Day weekend traffic in Northern Colorado expected to surge beyond 2025 records
Memorial Day weekend is set to bring heavier-than-usual traffic across Northern Colorado. Travellers from Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Estes Park, and nearby areas will likely add to the congestion. Low snowpack and early openings of mountain roads could push numbers beyond last year’s levels. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is taking steps to ease the expected gridlock. Roadworks and maintenance projects will pause from noon on May 22 until May 26. This follows 2025’s record, when over 150,000 vehicles passed through the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels during the holiday weekend.
Traffic may also rise due to the early opening of high-country recreation spots. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is expected to open in late May or early June, depending on weather. However, drought conditions have raised wildfire risks, prompting CDOT to urge caution.
To avoid the worst delays, drivers are advised to travel before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on Friday and Monday. CDOT also recommends using Bustang transit services to reduce congestion. Real-time updates on road conditions are available via COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app. The combination of early road openings and dry conditions will likely increase both traffic and wildfire risks. Travellers can check COtrip resources for live alerts and plan journeys outside peak hours. CDOT’s temporary halt on roadworks aims to keep routes as clear as possible during the busy weekend.
