By Shannon Lukens.

Colorado State Patrol will be doing extra enforcement over the Thanksgiving holiday. Last year, on the day before Thanksgiving, Colorado State Patrol troopers responded to 85 crashes caused by careless and reckless driving, lane violations, and speeding. Also, check weather and road conditions. The National Weather Service forecast calls for heavy mountain snow beginning early Tuesday and into Wednesday.  Current road conditions can be found at CoTrip.org 

 

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is also warning of dangerous avalanche conditions during Thanksgiving week, because of heavy snowfall across the state. And because more people are out recreating during the holiday.

Forecast Timeline:

• Tuesday: Avalanche danger will increase to HIGH (4 of 5) in the West Elk Mountains and CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5) in many other areas.
• Wednesday: Snowfall totals may reach three feet in areas like the Park Range, Flat Tops, and Elk Mountains, with two feet or more across most mountains Avalanche danger will likely reach HIGH (4 of 5) in much of the Northern and Central Mountains, and in the western San Juan mountains.
• Thanksgiving: Avalanche conditions are expected to remain very dangerous  (CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5)
• Friday–Sunday: While the storm ends late Wednesday or early Thursday, dangerous avalanche conditions will continue as the snowpack adjusts to this rapid load. With clear skies, fresh snow, and the holiday weekend, backcountry activity will likely increase. Special Avalanche Advisories are anticipated.

 

Press Release from Colorado State Patrol; Nov. 25, 2024.

Colorado State Patrol Increasing Presence for Peak Thanksgiving Travel

Statewide traffic enforcement operation planned for Wednesday

(COLORADO) – This coming Wednesday, November 27, the Colorado State Patrol will be conducting a statewide surge enforcement day to watch for ungrateful drivers abusing their privileges on the roadway. Additional troopers will be added to the daily patrol to focus on distracted and aggressive drivers, including those exceeding the posted speed limit. In addition, troopers will be seeking out the biggest turkeys of all, those who fail to make a plan for a sober driver and operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Last year, Colorado State Troopers responded to 85 crashes the day before Thanksgiving. Crash investigators determined that the top driver actions that caused these crashes were lane violations (37), careless/reckless driving (34), and speeding (20)*.  Careless/Reckless driving can include behaviors such as:

• Tailgating
• Weaving through traffic
• Excessive speeding
• Passing vehicles in no-pass zones

 

“Don’t let your travels over the coming weeks contradict the gratitude and unity that defines the holiday season,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Drivers should anticipate heavy amounts of traffic leading up to Thanksgiving and again over the weekend. Pack your patience and drive with kindness.”

On November 27, 2024, the Colorado State Patrol and various local law enforcement agencies will target areas around the state that experience increased traffic volume during holiday periods. Some areas already identified that will see more troopers include Highways 34, 40, 50, 160, and 287, along with the I-70, I-76 and I-25 corridors.

If you would like to avoid a citation, we have a few simple driving safety tips:

• Follow the posted speed limits, and if conditions warrant it, drive a safe speed below the limit. Circumstances that call for a speed reduction, include:
  • Poor weather
  • Heavy Traffic
  • Construction zones
  • Crash scenes
  • Sun glare
  • Wildlife
  • Any activity on the right shoulder, including police activity or a citizen changing a tire
• Put down all distractions.
  • Colorado will begin enforcement of its new “Hands-Free” law on January 1, 2025; get in the habit now.

If you see an aggressive driver, keep your cool. Distance yourself from that driver and avoid eye contact. Have a passenger call *CSP and report the driver, but DO NOT attempt to follow the vehicle.

Troopers want to ensure Coloradoans and our visitors have a happy and safe holiday season. Please ensure that every chair is filled with the loved one you expect to see this year. Be a responsible driver by practicing patience behind the wheel and always leave extra space between your vehicle and other motorists, equipment, or people.

*More than one driver action could be identified as a contributing factor to a crash.

 

Press Release from CAIC Colorado Avalanche Information Center; Nov. 25, 2024.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2024

CAIC warns of dangerous avalanche conditions during Thanksgiving week, with heavy snowfall across the state and increased holiday recreation 

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is warning backcountry travelers of a significant increase in avalanche danger across the Colorado mountains during Thanksgiving week. An atmospheric river is bringing heavy snowfall to Colorado this week, with up to three feet expected in some areas and at least two feet across much of the mountains.

“We’re particularly worried because we’ll see the most dangerous avalanche conditions we’ve seen so far this season when more people than usual will be getting out to recreate because of the holiday,” said CAIC Director Ethan Greene.

This rapid and heavy snowfall, combined with an already weak snowpack, will lead to dramatically different and significantly more dangerous avalanche conditions than seen so far this season. Avalanche danger is expected to reach HIGH (Level 4 of 5) in favored areas by Tuesday night, with large, dangerous avalanches possible.

“There will be an increased likelihood of natural and human-triggered avalanches that are large enough to seriously injure or kill a person this week,” said Greene.

CAIC issues avalanche danger ratings based on the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale from LOW danger (Level 1) to EXTREME danger (Level 5). During certain avalanche conditions, CAIC also issues Avalanche Watches and Warnings when the avalanche hazard will be or is HIGH (Level 4) or EXTREME (Level 5). Special Avalanche Advisories are issued to alert the public of an increased safety risk due to potentially dangerous conditions for many people, such as a big storm occurring during a holiday weekend.

“The avalanche danger is going to be higher and avalanche conditions are going to be trickier this coming week than what we’ve seen so far this season,” said Greene. “There are still lots of great, safe places to go. We want people to check the avalanche forecast and make a plan that keeps them out of avalanche terrain or off of the dangerous slopes.”

Forecast Timeline:

• Tuesday: Avalanche danger will increase to HIGH (4 of 5) in the West Elk Mountains and CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5) in many other areas.
• Wednesday: Snowfall totals may reach three feet in areas like the Park Range, Flat Tops, and Elk Mountains, with two feet or more across most mountains Avalanche danger will likely reach HIGH (4 of 5) in much of the Northern and Central Mountains, and in the western San Juan mountains.
• Thanksgiving: Avalanche conditions are expected to remain very dangerous  (CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5)
• Friday–Sunday: While the storm ends late Wednesday or early Thursday, dangerous avalanche conditions will continue as the snowpack adjusts to this rapid load. With clear skies, fresh snow, and the holiday weekend, backcountry activity will likely increase. Special Avalanche Advisories are anticipated.

This timeline is subject to change. For the latest avalanche conditions, always visit CAIC’s website at Colorado.gov/avalanche. The CAIC strongly advises all backcountry travelers to check the avalanche forecast regularly and adjust their plans accordingly. Always carry proper avalanche safety gear, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel, and know how to use them. Avoid avalanche-prone terrain during periods of heightened danger.