An annual sign of the changing seasons is upon us! Gunnison and Chaffee county governments will close Cottonwood Pass (County Road 209) for the winter on Monday, Nov. 2, at 9 a.m. Both gates on the Gunnison County side and Chaffee County side will be locked at 9 a.m.
Cottonwood Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 12,120 feet elevation, connecting Gunnison and Chaffee counties on Gunnison County Road 209 and Chaffee County Road 306. The pass is generally closed from mid-fall through late spring due to heavy snow accumulation.
Gunnison County makes this annual closure decision in coordination with our partners in Chaffee County. Gunnison County Assistant County Manager for Public Works Martin Schmidt said: “Each year, we strive to keep Cottonwood Pass open through the third hunting season. But as temperatures drop and daylight hours grow shorter, maintaining safe travel conditions becomes increasingly challenging and costly. At a certain point, keeping the road open is simply no longer a fiscally responsible use of taxpayer dollars for either county. We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we balance accessibility, public safety, and responsible stewardship of county resources."
Gunnison and Chaffee counties aim to reopen Cottonwood Pass before Memorial Day 2027, conditions and snowpack permitting.
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