High gas prices are not expected to bog down travel this Independence Day.
With July 4 falling on a Friday, expect to see more traffic, fewer camping spots and large crowds at festivals.
Interstates 70 and 25 will see more traffic than usual, said Stacey Stegman, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Stegman said July 4 is one of the busiest traveling days of the year — and one of the most dangerous.
“Typically, the Fourth of July weekend is one of the deadliest for alcohol-related crashes,” she said. “We’re hoping that people will make good choices and choose to stay sober so that doesn’t occur.”
The last time July 4 fell on a Friday was in 2003, when 12 people died in Colorado automobile crashes on the holiday.
Eight of those deaths involved alcohol.
Those who wish to avoid the most traffic should stay off the highways today and Sunday, the two busiest travel days.
For those who plan to get into the mountains, July 4 is, as always, a good time to camp, but it wouldn’t be wise to go on a whim, said Kyle Patterson, a spokeswoman for Rocky Mountain National Park.
“Normally at this point, if people haven’t planned for a camping spot for the Fourth of July weekend, it might be very difficult to find one,” she said.
Patterson said the park expects all five of its campgrounds to be filled by this evening.
Colorado National Monument, however, has plenty of room, said Jae Dutilly, who works at the visitors center. There are more than 80 campsites available, she said.
“Traditionally, we have plenty of spaces, and we do not fill the campgrounds,” she said. “It’s hot here — but that’s pretty much how it is.”
Dutilly said the temperature tends to reach 92 degrees, but the views can’t be beat.
“It’s a beautiful spot for views,” she said, “because it’s looking down at the valley. It’s a natural experience.”
Festivities minus the drive
There will also be a number of events happening in the city for those staying home.
The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is looking to draw more people because of high gas prices, said Terry Adams, executive director of the festival.
He said people are less likely to travel and will instead stay within the city. Plus, he said, the festival is free. “We’re expecting to push our numbers,” he said. “I’m anticipating great crowds.”
Adams said the festival can draw between 350,000 and 390,000 people. About 380,000 people attended last year’s festival.
There are also lots of local events, parades, fireworks displays, and even a professional beach volleyball tournament, which held a Denver preview Wednesday but will be played Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Folsom Field in Boulder.
The Tri-Lakes Festival in Monument offers an unusual experience for city dwellers, said Donald Johnson, the festival’s parade director.
“You have the experience of seeing an original small-town parade that still promotes itself as a small-town parade,” he said. “They could have a good Fourth of July summer day. There’s lots of stuff to eat, places to see and things to buy.”
Christopher Sanchez: 303-954-1698 or csanchez@denverpost.com
