Travel Alerts

Local & Regional Travel Alerts

Colorado road conditions

Check this page before your visit to learn about current travel alerts in Gunnison County and the surrounding area. Driving from Denver or Montrose? Check out the following resources for Colorado road conditions and road construction. To help you prepare for your trip, you’ll also find information on current wildfires, campfire restrictions, emergency alerts and health safety information. Going backcountry skiing? Check the weather and the Crested Butte Avalanche Center’s avalanche forecast first.

U.S. Highway 50 bridge improvements

Bridge under construction between Gunnison and Montrose

A section of U.S. Highway 50 between Montrose and Gunnison is currently under construction for bridge repairs. Businesses in the area are still operating, and Blue Mesa Reservoir is still accessible at most points. Get the latest updates on our bridge information page.

Learn more

Middle Bridge Highway 50 openings and regulations

U.S. Highway 50 Little Blue Creek project

A section of Highway 50 between Gunnison and Montrose is currently under construction. The area is called Little Blue Creek Canyon and is located between mile markers 123 and 127. Learn more on the U.S. 50 Little Blue Creek Improvements website.

U.S. 50 Construction Info

Spring Creek Road bridge construction

Starting Aug. 5, 2024, two bridges on Spring Creek Road will be undergoing construction. Spring Creek Road will be closed from miles 4.5-6 during this time. For more details, including alternate routes to Spring Creek Reservoir and Doctor Park trail, read the Forest Service press release linked below.

Learn more

Family camping in a designated camping area. Slate River Valley Crested Butte, CO

Fire Restrictions

National Forest campfire rules

Like most of the Rocky Mountain region, the Gunnison Valley is prone to wildfires. Check the U. S. Forest Service website to learn about fire restrictions in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) national forests. You’ll also find information on current wildfires.

GMUG National Forest Fire Info

Gunnison County Fire Info

Stay on top of emergencies and other alerts, including county-wide fire bans and current wildfires, on the Gunnison County website.

Gunnison County Alert Center

Gunnison County Wildfire Info

Colorado wildfire smoke map

Wondering where the smoke is coming from? This map shows all wildfires currently burning in the United States, including prescribed burns. Counties under red flag warnings are also marked.

Colorado Wildfire and Smoke Map

Gunnison Valley Weather Cams

Live Weather Conditions

Wondering about current conditions on Highway 50 and Highway 135? Visit our webcams page to see current weather conditions in Gunnison, Almont and Crested Butte.

VIEW WEBCAMS

ROAD CONDITIONS

Check COTrip before driving through the mountains

Since winter conditions are frequent in the Rocky Mountains, it’s a good idea to research your route before hitting the road. COTrip offers live updates, traffic reports, travel alerts and webcams on road conditions across Colorado. Information on seasonal road closures, including Cottonwood Pass, Schofield Pass and Kebler Pass, can also be found on COTrip. The site also includes info on road construction, road damage and other timely issues that could affect travel.

COTrip.org

Backcountry skiing in Crested Butte, Colorado.

CRESTED BUTTE AVALANCHE CONDITIONS

READING AND INTERPRETING SNOWPACK

Planning to backcountry ski while you’re in Gunnison Crested Butte this winter? Be sure to check out the avalanche forecast from the Crested Butte Avalanche Center before you head out on your ski tour. Visit CBAC’s website for more information.

CB Avalanche Center

Receive notifications during an emergency

Get the Code Red app

During an emergency, local authorities will send you information via the Code Red app. Notifications may include descriptions of the emergency, evacuations and other procedures.

Download Code Red

WINTER DRIVING

TIPS FOR DRIVING IN SNOW AND OBEYING COLORADO’S TRACTION LAW

Did you know Colorado has a law about traction requirements for your vehicle’s tires? View the PDFs below to learn more about how to drive safely in winter conditions and how to prepare your vehicle for snowy roads.

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

Traction Law Decision Tree

Traction Law Ruler Card