The Colorado Classic is just days away and motorists should plan for major road closures as cyclers travel through Colorado Springs, Breckenridge and Denver.
Racers won’t hit Denver until Saturday, but road closures and detours will begin Friday at 4 p.m. in downtown Denver and RiNo Arts District and last through Sunday until 11 p.m.
On Saturday, stage 3 of the race will run from RiNo up to Gilpin County and back, resulting in road and ramp closures between 1 and 4:45 p.m. in Denver, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, Golden, Arvada, Jefferson County, Coal Creek Canyon, Gilpin County and Golden Gate Canyon.
Off-ramps from Interstate 25 to Speer Boulevard and Interstate 70 to 32nd Avenue/Youngfield Street will be closed from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Off-ramps from Colorado 58 to McIntyre Street will close, reopen after race passes and close again when the racers return.
Delays of 10 and 45 minutes should be expected at Speer, Federal, Sheridan and Wadsworth boulevards and Kipling Street as cyclists pass through.
Other state highway closures/traffic stops and delays:
- Colorado 93 between 58th Avenue and Colorado 72
- Colorado 72 between Colorado 93 and Twin Spruce Road
- Colorado 119 between Gap Road and Golden Gate Canyon Road (CO 46)
- Colorado 46 between Colorado 119 and Colorado 93
On Sunday, the final stage will be a 10-lap criterium race looping 7.5 miles from the RiNo neighborhood around City Park and back. Expect road closures for streets crossing race route on Sunday from 11:20 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit Velorama Colorado for race specific closures, delays and times for the first two stages of the race.
The first two stages of the race will stick to a traditional racing model, but in Denver the race will be accompanied by the three-day Velorama Colorado festival featuring music, a beer garden a local flea market and a bike expo.
The RiNo festival grounds will also act as a hub for the start and finish of the race. Though only festival ticket holders will get to see races cross the finish line, .
Organizers of Velorama Colorado and the Colorado Classic are encouraging people to ride their bikes or take transit to the festival and PeopleForBikes, an industry coalition of bicycling suppliers and retailers, as well as a charitable foundation, .
A l, as is RTD’s A Line Blake Station. Union Station is 10 blocks from away and there are plenty of surface lots in the vicinity for those coming by car.
Motorists are encouraged to visit the CDOT website, for real-time updates on road closure and opening times, anticipated delays and parking information. Daily road closure information is also available by calling 511.
