Winter Storm Hits Summit County, Disrupts Travel Ahead of Thanksgiving
A major winter storm blanketed Summit County with 18 to 24 inches of snow between late Monday, Nov. 25, and early Wednesday, Nov. 27, creating hazardous conditions along the Interstate 70 mountain corridor. The storm, coinciding with the Thanksgiving travel rush, led to road closures, vehicle spin-outs, and increased emergency response efforts.
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) deployed six additional heavy plow trucks to the mountains in anticipation of the storm. “Our crews worked diligently to keep roads clear,” said Austyn Dineen, CDOT’s I-70 mountain corridor communications director. “Snowfall averaged an inch per hour, making it a challenging effort.”
The I-70 corridor saw four safety closures during the storm due to spun-out commercial and passenger vehicles. While none of the closures were prolonged, Dineen advised travelers to use CoTrip.org for real-time updates.
State Patrol and Local Responses
Colorado State Patrol reported assisting 42 motorists who had spun out or slid off I-70 near Silverthorne and the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels during the storm’s peak Tuesday evening. Additionally, 50 citations were issued Wednesday for non-compliance with the state’s passenger vehicle traction law, which requires proper snow-rated tires or traction devices. Many cited vehicles were rentals, noted State Patrol public information officer Sherri Mendez.
In Silverthorne, Town Manager Ryan Hyland reported minor traffic disruptions at Exit 205 but no major impacts to public safety or plowing operations. A power outage Monday night, affecting thousands in Frisco and Silverthorne, was the storm’s most significant incident in the area.
Additional Closures and Emergency Operations
Hoosier Pass was closed from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday following multiple crashes, slide-offs, and stuck semitrailers. Park County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jennifer Plutt emphasized safety as the priority in deciding to close the pass.
Summit County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted with numerous storm-related incidents, from stuck vehicles to unrelated service calls. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at the County Commons in Frisco, providing a centralized hub for coordination among federal, state, and local agencies.
“In situations like this, the EOC ensures resources are directed where they are needed most,” said Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons.
Reminder for Drivers
Public safety officials urged caution on the roads during severe storms. “Drivers should reduce speeds, use extra caution, and move over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks,” said Sgt. Mike Schilling of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
Despite the challenges, local officials noted that the storm was managed effectively, and systems worked as planned.