Morning sun glare could shut down eastbound I-70 daily starting October 21
Oct 19, 2026, 6:02 PM | Updated: Oct 20, 2026, 10:57 am
Usually, a sunny Colorado morning is something to celebrate. But if you’re driving east on I-70 toward Denver, that sunshine could mean a detour. A one-hour detour.
Sun-glare season is returning to Floyd Hill, east of Idaho Springs.
From November 1 through February, drivers may be diverted off eastbound I-70 between sunrise and approximately 8:30 a.m., when the glare makes driving unsafe. First up: a preparatory traffic hold around 7 a.m. Wednesday, October 21.
Why the precautions? The low morning sun, combined with steep grades and sharp turns, can make it dangerously difficult to see. Moisture on the roadway can make the glare even worse. These aren’t automatic daily shutdowns. CDOT and Colorado State Patrol decide each morning whether conditions require a detour. When that happens, drivers can take US 6 through Clear Creek Canyon or follow US 40 to rejoin I-70 at Beaver Brook, Exit 248. Allow extra time — delays could reach an hour.
If that’s your route into Denver, check COtrip.org before leaving and keep those sunglasses handy.
300 days of sunshine a year comes with some cons…read more about CDOT plans here.
