Colorado Reopens Vail Pass Rest Area on I-70
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) opened the newly reconstructed Vail Pass rest area on Sept. 30, restoring a critical stop along one of the state’s busiest interstates.
“Vail Pass is more than just a road, it’s a gateway to our mountain communities, our tourism economy and the Colorado lifestyle,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said. “This new rest area makes travel safer and more welcoming for everyone who comes through our state, from truckers to families on vacation.”
The top of Vail Pass is one of the busiest winter recreation areas in one of the busiest national forests, according to CBS News. The rest area serves 500,000 travelers a year, CDOT said.
The facility is located on Interstate 70. It closed in 2023 for upgrades. Originally scheduled to reopen at the end of 2024, the project experienced construction delays.
The new rest area includes expanded restrooms, a new drinking water system, clearer separation of vehicles and pedestrians, more truck parking and separate snowmobile parking. The reconfigured space integrates the popular Ten Mile Canyon Trail into the rest area.
There are also new informational displays, a relocated U.S. Forest Service building and increased maintenance equipment and snow storage space. The renovations totaled an estimated $21 million and were headed by Colorado-based contractor Taylor Kohrs.
“This rest area isn’t just about convenience; it directly supports safety by giving motorists a place to pause and by providing increased capacity for maintenance equipment storage that will improve winter maintenance operational readiness,” said Shawn Smith, CDOT division of maintenance and operations director. “Our teams work year-round in some of the toughest conditions in the state, and this new facility will allow us to respond to various hazards on the roadway faster and more efficiently.”
Other construction projects on multiple I-70 Vail Pass locations will continue through the end of 2026. This includes a new eastbound auxiliary lane with a widened inside shoulder, bridge replacements, relocated bike paths, wildlife underpasses and an avalanche mitigation fence.