Denver, CO – As cold air and fresh snow settle across the Front Range this month, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is warning drivers in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins to be cautious on bridges and overpasses that are freezing faster than main roadways.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they are exposed to cold air above and below, allowing heat to dissipate quickly. This makes bridge decks drop below freezing temperatures sooner than ground-level roads. “Even a damp bridge surface can ice over within minutes once temps hit the 20s,” the NWS said Friday.
CDOT crews are actively treating major routes including I-25, I-70, and US-36, applying brine and de-icing agents ahead of expected overnight lows in the teens. Officials are prioritizing mountain passes and elevated spans, where strong winds and drifting snow can quickly refreeze treated surfaces.
Drivers are urged to reduce speed before bridges, avoid sudden braking, and maintain consistent steering. Black ice — a thin, transparent layer of frozen moisture — remains a major cause of winter crashes across the state.
Real-time road and weather conditions are available at COTrip.org or by following @ColoradoDOT for statewide updates and travel advisories.
