Limit Your Backcountry Risk
From hut trips and snowmobiling to ski touring and snowshoeing, the ways to experience Colorado winters are seemingly endless. If you do intend to play in our unmanaged backcountry this winter, do so with safety in mind. Heading off the beaten path, after all, comes with increased avalanche risks that could result in injury and death. There are many ways to mitigate backcountry risks, including checking the weather and avalanche forecast for where you’re going, seeking out proper training and going with a guide.
Pro tip: If you’re planning a backcountry adventure, hire an American Mountain Guides Association-certified guide to help keep everyone safe.
Get the Best Views
If you’d like to see the best views and add more time in your day for exploring, avoid peak times. We recommend traveling on weekdays and visiting attractions early in the morning or later in the day. Fewer crowds make for better vistas!
Safer Winter Driving
Colorado’s famously powdery peaks and silver-drenched trees always bring the wow factor, but snow and ice can make for challenging road conditions. For safer winter driving, remember to say no to cruise control and texting while driving, maintain slower speeds and accelerate at a leisurely rate. Keep your gas tank more than half full, fill up your windshield-wiper fluid, bring chains if you don’t have snow tires, and stow jumper cables and blankets in your car just in case. Check road conditions by visiting cotrip.org or dial 511 before you go.
Along Colorado's major highways, including I-70 I-25, C-470 and U.S. 36, there are several segments that offer Express Lanes. The state's safety, tolling and enforcement program is meant to encourage drivers to use the Express Lanes safely and correctly and prevent dangerous behaviors such as weaving in and out of the Express Lanes. Drivers who weave across the solid lines between the Express Lanes and the general-purpose lanes can be fined up to $250. Safety for all motorists along these corridors is the top priority of this enforcement.
Not comfortable and/or experienced driving in winter conditions? Take a shuttle instead — or stay put until conditions pass, which may mean staying another night but can be as short as a few hours.
Enjoy Blue Skies & Green Rides
When you reduce your travel footprint in Colorado, you get more fresh air and sunshine. Soak it all up with our e-bikes, scooters, free shuttles, electric-vehicle rental options and more.
Have Good, Clean Fun
We want you to have a great time! Do Colorado Right and trash your trash in our national parks, open spaces, cities and towns so the state will be just as beautiful when you return. Remember — if you bring it in, please bring it out or throw it in the bin. This includes dog waste and compostable items, like banana peels. And please leave it as you found it so everyone can enjoy our natural environment, as it is, for generations.
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Be winter ready when you hit the road
