Cottonwood Pass: The secret, unsafe shortcut around I-70 shutdown

Cottonwood Pass: The secret, unsafe shortcut around I-70 shutdown.

[@brianmacintire3064]

Well you've just killed that road. Good job! smh

[@mountains889]

Whatcha talking about? How exactly

[@brianmacintire3064]

@@mountains889 traffic

[@NicoletteToussaint]

@@mountains889 That road gets graded once a year, and it's a budget item for Garfield and Eagle Counties. All that traffic, and trying to drive too fast, turns it into a washboard very quickly. Rain makes it worse. It's soon much harder to drive, so cars bottom out. The county budgets for Garfield and Eagle are assuredly in the red for all the 24/7 traffic management and I am positive there's no money to grade the darn road every week or so.

[@timthomson7532]

@@NicoletteToussaint as a favor, I’ll grade the road a D+, but I’m not a professional road grader

[@taylorklein2378]

This is irresponsible, there's a reason CDOT didn't post this route.

[@philipstanley5611]

Agreed, people roll, get stuck, and get bumpers/other parts ripped off their car constantly on this road. It used to be a quiet drive a few years back, now its a mess.

[@ahrimanic7]

That’s right! Stay safe! ALWAYS, stay safe. Safety unto DEATH! then you can do whatever you want

[@JonR_1138]

I think the news station is broadcasting this to force the DOT to improve the pass.

[@smmalafa1]

It’s a bad idea telling people about this. The HWY 50 closure has already cost 2 lives of people who have driven off black canyon detouring around the closure construction.

[@POWER-LINKS]

Stop blaming the news channel, lol. It was already out on the internet with a simple search on your phone.

[@richardg4764]

It’s an unsafe pass so they put it on the news for everyone to know about.

[@dgrfsthrgsergwrtghasefq]

So Denver news has decided to make a "secret" local shortcut a complete disaster for everyone. Not everything needs to be broadcasted to the entire world.

[@karlmcgaugh1929]

This neglected road needs to be publicized! Just one of those bulldozers working on I-70 could go to the Cottonwood pass road and fix it for two lane car traffic in a single day. Call the Governor and light a fire under his butt. This is another example of how rural people are forgotten in states dominated by mega cities.

[@Fuckstupidlibtards]

If the tax payers paid for it, then they should be allowed to drive it, right?

[@faa6239]

O shut up

[@brodiwheeler7583]

@@Fuckstupidlibtards Sure, but how about all the tourists & people passing through? They don’t pay for local taxes.

[@rocknroll7065]

@@brodiwheeler7583 tourists support local business

[@Elkski84]

Its not a secret when you put it on the news 🤣

[@jr3254]

Never know a secret that's ever been kept

[@allenra530]

2 people can keep a secret if one of them is dead.

[@galeaiken3841]

Should've put it on cnn.... only 7 people whom are at the airport would know.

[@timthomson7532]

Like if there was actually mass voter fraud some knucklehead wouldn’t have exposed it by now. Apparently, democrats are the most competent secret keepers in the whole of western civilization

[@ColoradoCarrolls]

@@galeaiken3841 HAAHAA, LOVE IT!

[@majorpayne4098]

There you go. Now let us see how many serious accidents happen when people drive a country road.

[@punker4Real]

I trained my self to drive back country roads (paved ) it's essential to have 100% attention on the road 100% of the time.... dirt roads need to be taken with caution and limited speed

[@galeaiken3841]

@@punker4Real sounds like you run shine lol. Watch where you "limited speed" don't want you to get ran over

[@punker4Real]

@@galeaiken3841 saves a bit of gas compared to the freeway

[@Chinunit22]

Great!!! Now it's no secret, feeling bad for locals as they have to be dealing with Texans, Californians and old farts in RV going through that dirt path

[@3.0colorado21]

For real!!!

[@brianfergus839]

Drove it in July of 1997 (driving to Pennsylvania from yes, California) - hardly saw anyone but there was a school bus with kids doing some nature activity) - I remember I also saw a beaver. Fond memories of that little road!

[@rocknroll7065]

@@brianfergus839 it's above place I lived in Glenwood Springs I have no problem with out of staters driving on it asking as they are responsible

[@gerald4027]

Don't get your pink panties bunched up in a knot.

[@michaelbrown1627]

Welcome to my world in Florida.

[@wyo1446]

All roads in Colorado are unsafe, they're used by Colorado drivers.

[@BVonBuescher]

Haha! For sure. People here have zero concept of how the left lane works. Smh

[@galeaiken3841]

Denver I learned red lights are merely a suggestion.

[@tomfuelery2905]

California drivers. Fixed it for you.

[@wyo1446]

@@tomfuelery2905 Same thing

[@aboversite]

Looks like a perfectly good, well-maintained road to me.

[@vanlepthien6768]

Gee, thanks. Just what we need - people who don't know how to drive on unpaved roads clogging up things for the locals. Really not safe when it's raining, and more traffic is only going to make it worse. This is not responsible journalism.

[@ahshari]

Fuck off local

[@vanlepthien6768]

@@ahshari Русский тролль.

[@w0rm0]

Truly.

[@JayElement13]

And your probably a transplant 🤣

[@JayElement13]

@@ahshari the guys probably isn’t even a native he’s probably a transplant that moved here 5-10 years ago so he thinks he’s a native I can’t stand those transplants 😡

[@juggaloIQis0]

If that is the "scariest" road you have driven in Colorado, you have a long road ahead of you. Amazed you have made it this far in life.

[@galeaiken3841]

Bounce her down Black Bear pass....scares the crap outta some people. I think it's fun so does my Border Collie hanging out the back window.

[@Fuckstupidlibtards]

Real talk! I did Medano Pass after the fires in 2010. In the dark, while raining, creek raging. Not technical, but legit scary!

[@larryjones2024]

I came through there a couple of weeks ago. For a 'secret' route is was remarkably well marked with Detour signs and flagmen. That said, I wouldn't do it again in a sedan. Made it ok but was wishing for more ground clearance. Parts were narrow with drop offs.

[@edwardfoster3812]

It's sucks News 7 broadcast this local secret road

[@tucktacogaming]

Just typical Denver media doing nothing but causing harm. Solid work. These people are just scum.

[@gerald4027]

Good road for a simi truck?

[@Madcapolo]

@@gerald4027 If you’re asking this question genuinely after watching this video, then I pray to God your CDL gets taken away real soon

[@gerald4027]

@@Madcapolo.you dont need a CDL to drive a simi.

[@rocknroll7065]

@@gerald4027 not good for a semi actually they are not allowed

[@NicoletteToussaint]

This story certainly added to the load that the local sheriffs are already handling, with all the folks up there blocking the road, having emergencies. We have people wandering off the road into private homes (so often they're posting signs at the bottom of their driveways) and all the traffic has certainly blown the overtime budgets for the local police and sheriff's departments in Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties. Aspen has to station cops at the winter gate 24/7 just to head off all the semis from getting jack-knifed and stuck in the Narrows on Independence Pass. Not to mention having to dispatch Medivac helicopters to deal with folks having heart trouble when their Greyhound bus gets marooned on Coffeepot Road - which is really only a dry-weather jeep road into the Flattops Wilderness Area. Oh, and did I mention the abandoned Lexus on Hagerman Pass - another jeep road - left right in the middle of the road so numerous people ran into the darn thing! So thanks to Denver news, the one road that locals might use to escape in case of fire or medical emergency is completely jammed, rutted out and filled with vehicles that can't really manage the terrain. I'm a retired journalist, so I understand how this got covered. But it's certainly done (and thanks to things being on the internet forever) will continue to do more harm than good.

[@POWER-LINKS]

Stop blaming the news channel, lol. It was already out on the internet with a simple search on your phone.

[@nobodynoone2500]

Why the hell would you publicise this? You are absolutly destroying the locals.

[@ahshari]

Fook u locals

[@grandpagun2843]

A. Sollanoff is living proof our Government Education is failing.

[@vanlepthien6768]

@@grandpagun2843 I think it's a Russian troll.

[@IlluminationCoachingLLC]

We do NOT want to make this public. This is ONLY for locals and NOT for tourists. It is narrow, windy, amd can be dangerous. Should be used only by people who absolutely need to for work, etc.

[@Yoopee-ld1xo]

I couldn't Agree MORE....

[@JohnDrach]

Hows that going? Im guessing it's packed with people

[@charlesvlcek2550]

Wonder how many Priuses will end up in a ditch now

[@oriolesfan7807]

Agree, but blame the TV station for publizing it.

[@POWER-LINKS]

@@oriolesfan7807 It was already out on the internet.

[@jimbailey6802]

Drove over this pass off and on for years when Glenwood canyon was being built in late 80's and early 90's had to drive to Aspen and rifle . In a big delivery truck use to love it. Beautiful and just part of living in the vail valley

[@debbiegau1281]

Well with trillions on an infrastructure bill, just passed; monies should be pouring in for this road if..bids are put in??

[@notfromthisworld7672]

When I read this title I thought they were talking about the real Cottonwood Pass that goes from Taylor Park to Buena Vista!

[@tman8939]

that is what i thought also.

[@driftlesshermit9731]

Same.

[@huskerhank6231]

So where is this alternate reality Cottonwood Pass?

[@notfromthisworld7672]

@@huskerhank6231 That's a good question. I've lived in Colorado my entire life and didn't know about this road until this video. It is in Eagle County I guess... The real Cottonwood Pass was 100% paved a couple years ago and is a safe drive. However it is no alternative for I-70...

[@timothyhaines556]

@@huskerhank6231. It's due south from Gypsum off Gypsum Creek Rd. From Glenwood Springs it's south on hwy 83. Then Cattle Creek Rd. That turns into Cottonwood pass

[@hopeandgracetompkins3707]

Whiny people. It's publjc roads. Everyone has to get where.they want. Not one of us is more important than the other. What's stop being babies . Get over it and be grateful!!

[@ShadowJP3012]

Go back home Texans!!!

[@darrylm3627]

Daytime ok but night can be dangerous🤔

[@karlmcgaugh1929]

This neglected road needs to be publicized! Just one of those bulldozers working on I-70 could go to the Cottonwood pass road and fix it for two lane car traffic in a single day. Call the Governor and light a fire under his butt. This is another example of how rural people are forgotten in states dominated by mega cities.

[@KITLEVEY]

OOHH !? SECRET ?! Thanks for blowing the cover off! Nothing better to report than ruining a small refuge road for the locals?

[@tucktacogaming]

Yep, typical denver scum media making life hell for us. These people are trash.

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

So this road is concidered as scary, narrow and dangerous? Well ... that's one way to see it but I definetly think different lol

[@meyatetana2973]

LOL lets send thousands of people onto a dirt road not meant for that amount of traffic, is this station trying to kill people?

[@ahshari]

Shut it

[@vanlepthien6768]

@@ahshari Русский тролль.

[@punker4Real]

depop

[@timthomson7532]

It’s directly aimed at trump supporters, go maga

[@robertagillis448]

I remember taking the Rife highway before it was paved, in the winter with no 4 wheel drive. Now that was an adventure.

[@robertagillis448]

Rifle!!

[@mtadams2009]

Between the news and social media nothing is a secret anymore. No secret fishing holes, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, nothing.

[@paul2019monte]

People using this that could just do the 2.5 extra hours (tourists, etc) will degrade a road that local people need. So selfish

[@campbellsadeghy213]

They need to pave and expand this road for when this happens.

[@brandyhoeve9350]

Such irresponsible journalism.

[@kennethsilvestri4161]

Only a politician can keep a secret.

[@coryhohn3388]

Well I hope with the astronomical amount of money for infrastructure and I 70 being a main highway, not just for the people that live there. If there is a way to improve this pass then it should ve done. I have lived here all my life and I have had to use all of the round about ways to get to where I need to be. However there needs to be better plans for things happening like this in the future.

[@drwisdom1]

I didn't see one photo of Cottonwood pass in this video that made it seem like a challenging Colorado road. Sounds like locals don't want to share Cottonwood Pass in times of need even though the taxpayers of America built the magnificent I-70 and they get to use it for free.

[@Kenjh71]

If it hadn't been for Cottonwood Pass, I'd be driving the long way round. Where did you come from, where did you go? Where did you come from, Cottonwood Pass?

[@rkf2746]

Sometimes news reports are better left untold. Just wait! Now some mook from Florida will be trying to get his big ass motor home over Cottonwood. Nice job Denver 7.🙄

[@gosnooky]

They should just rename it to Hardscrabble Pass, so the Muggles can't find it. It would also solve the Cottonwood Pass naming ambiguity.

[@michaelmcneil5271]

News Director was a fool to run thus story!

[@howardbixler7327]

In a Nutshell....Just Shockingly Irresponsible.

[@ColoradoCarrolls]

UGH!, Taken that road many times and now that you have made it world wide it will be impassable So much for that, may aswell take a canoe down stream like Lewis and Clark and add 5 TON of cargo

[@stevenluther4803]

Ooh good to know thanks! We’ll be taking our RV bus through here to avoid the much longer detour

[@NomadXplorer]

Leave it be. Keep it dirt and keep it out of the news. As a Coloradian I know just about every shortcut in the state. They aren't shortcuts to us... they're escape routes. Escape from Texans and just civilization in general.

[@moorteam1000]

Media ruins it again

[@wendyhammond1894]

Thanks for putting the unsafe route out there. What would we do without the media? 😆

[@rhazel21011]

Hey Californians, this road is super nice during rain and snow. Super safe. You dont need 4x4 at all.

[@JohnDrach]

Also Texans!

[@charlesvlcek2550]

Its totally safe for snowflakes to travel in their Toyota Priuses a little rain and snow no worries

[@reagan6743]

You are hilarious. So funny.

[@dutchmaster1999]

I crossed this last summer as I was unaware of the detour along I-70, it wasn't even listed on Google Maps. Traffic was immense and stopped at times for 10-20 minutes during the narrow sections of the road to allow oncoming traffic through. Lucky I was able to pass through most of it around dusk as this would be a nightmare to navigate at night. No cellphone reception for most of the drive.

[@johnss449]

That's a great road by Arkansas standards of dirt roads 😄

[@steelem422]

Dangerous road help the community weed out the poor drivers survival of the fittest…..

[@TheBandit7613]

I was born and raised in Colorado. I've watched the roads deteriorate over the last 25 years. Cottonwood pass should be paved but should remain no commercial traffic.

[@u.s.6909]

The real alternative for trucks is Interstate 80 in Wyoming.

[@timothyhaines556]

Or, I-40. At this point, if you are a trucker and not going local, then being on I-70 is just stupid.

[@Cj-pg4qe]

Not if you're starting out in or going to Denver.

[@idahorodgersusmc]

US 50 is fine, just not for rookie company trucks

[@sageoliver3255]

Yes a local short cut…not made for mass traffic…trucks and idiots…

[@outthasky]

Digital providers removing real world data (entire roads from a map) at the behest of a government agency?

[@aJacksonHoleguy]

Its not that the road itself was removed from the map, but its no longer a suggested route when people search for routes to take along that section.

[@outthasky]

@@aJacksonHoleguy so even with the clarification of, “route” rather than “road” the concern remains.

[@myyoutubename152]

Why not pave it?

[@thorenshammer]

It’s interesting that the pass is coming back to the lexicon of more people now that I-70 is closed through the canyon. We would take it to get into Glenwood Springs during some of I-70’s construction. It beat sitting in traffic for highway six to reopen. I had thought they closed cottonwood pass down after I-70 opened, but I guess not. C-DOT really needs to make Cottonwood pass a viable alternative for these types of emergencies. Also, it wasn’t just the Interstate that suffered, the rail line through the canyon was also disrupted. And this is a major line serving Denver and the eastern plains of the US.

[@dogbarbill]

Well, it was a "secret". Now it's publicly known.

[@jaydickey1049]

There's actually no such thing as a dangerous road, just dangerous drivers. People just refuse to slow down and chill.....

[@Troutflies71]

Have you ever been over this pass?

[@vanlepthien6768]

Are you from Kansas? If this road is wet, you can slide off if you are creeping along in a 4WD.

[@jaydickey1049]

If you slide off a wet road creeping along in 4Wd, you shouldn't be driving. Accidents happen when people drive to fast for the conditions, road , weather, traffic, whatever. Guess that's to difficult a concept for some to grasp. And no, 40 years driving in Routt County...

[@vanlepthien6768]

@@jaydickey1049 Locals don't drive on it when it's wet.

[@wyo1446]

Exactly. Idiots are the problem, not the roads. Or the weather.

[@bulldog03leatherneck91]

Any professional drivers knows that not Semi route. If was? Call it Death Highway.

[@ronbrock6153]

News stations will do anything for views and clicks no matter how irresponsible. So I will do what everyone who agrees, use the three dots to select do not recommend this channel. The new way to cancel.

[@timfixinstuff]

Leave it to "journalists". Thanks for ruining that road.

[@y2kmadd]

Don't drive like an idiot and you'll be fine.

[@brianfergus839]

Drove it in July of 1997 - hardly saw anyone but there was a school bus with kids doing some nature activity - I remember I also saw a beaver. Fond memories of that little road! Take it slow!

[@brodiwheeler7583]

Denver 7 Spot Burning!!! Way to go... sheeesh 🙄

[@POWER-LINKS]

Stop blaming the news channel, lol. It was already out on the internet with a simple search on your phone.

[@kellikelli4413]

It's ONE lane folks, now it's going to have drivers going both ways at the same time, thanks to the squeelers who aired this... Dangerous indeed❕

[@doowael]

This is totally irresponsible! That road is not made to handle that much traffic and most people aren't skilled enough to drive on pavement let alone a back road such as this. If anyone is hurt, Denver 7 will have blood on their hands.

[@johnnysalamichen2622]

LOL if these people see what my family off roads every weekend boy they would really know what "unsafe" is. This is nothing.

[@kwmrlee]

Really? Why would you divulge such information, that is totally irresponsible from your news department to make the general public drive thru this seasonal pass. We locals are aware of the issues you can encounter driving the pass. Hoping for a Pulitzer?

[@laytonb7]

Time value of money … invest in road improvements like this one now … save us all money down the road and actually improve health and well being as a consequence … I use to enjoy cottonwood pass as a road less traveled but it has always had sections that are not fit for two way traffic … it needs to be a year round viable two way route.

[@rhonnievesco8097]

Maybe you shouldn't be advertising this shortcut. Seems a bit irresponsible to me! This is only going to drive up traffic because people are going to "dare" to do it to safe a few hours. Be more responsible with your reporting.

[@charlesvlcek2550]

Someone must have repaired the partially washed out section last time I was on this road a few years ago you had to drive around the bad spot

[@jonathandow684]

Eagle 🦅 county put it on the news, to let people know that Cottonwood road is monitored by physical activity 24/7👮🏻‍♂️👷‍♂️🚩

[@minivanmaster]

Jeep fanatics need to try this one out

[@nicke1903]

Why would you exoose this? It's the locals who depend on it most, but you'll for sure cause some flip flop wearing, piss jug throwing, 500 lb trucker with his cheap GPS gets crossed up or worse.

[@tucktacogaming]

Because they’re scum media, with one goal, to screw people and put out GARBAGE information. These people are just trash.

[@wyo1446]

Excuse me, I drive a truck, but I don't wear flip flops, I don't piss in a jug, and I don't weigh 500lbs, I'm a mere 200lbs. And I'm also not stupid, I know where to go, and where not to go with a big fuckin truck, so I won't be bothering you. Lol

[@NickGayable]

Why the F are you advertising this road?! You know it's only 35 ft and under...stop publicizing this, it will cause more accidents than your projected intent!

[@Bernie0481USMC]

Colorado roadways blow. Not enough highways or paved roads. They waste so much on the most idiotic roadway designs, ALL.for Denver area. Pathetic

[@TD_YT066]

US-550 laughs :)

[@TruckEnthusiastYT]

Well it’s not a secret anymore…

[@bradleyrwerner]

Well, now you've fucked it. Thanks Denver7.

[@RyRyWags]

I thought this was the other cottonwood pass, which goes from Buena Vista to Tin Cup.

[@walters49]

I first thought that you were referring to the other Cottonwood pass from Buena Vista to Taylor park. however Monarch would be a better idea.

[@forestdweller512]

Why would you show this to the public ?

[@jerrykinnin7941]

Looks like fun are semis allowed on it?

[@rocknroll7065]

No semis allowed

[@BillLaBrie]

Hey, I clicked. So did you.

[@therealcnn5346]

Not anymore

[@robertaboyd5744]

Why would you put this on the news?

[@landonstainbrook1183]

Unreal

[@dashriprok5852]

Poor people your secret safe with me

[@dorecannon2851]

2D transportation is so outdated.

[@steveinla8963]

Elect Larry Elder governor of California September 14th, 2021.

[@kylecates7086]

Dam well that sucks

[@epochrocks3857]

Cottonwood is easily passible in 2WD

[@NicoletteToussaint]

Not if it's clogged with traffic or raining.

[@vanlepthien6768]

Do you know which Cottonwood Pass they are talking about?

[@kevinhunter8585]

bad move @7news

[@Klamath1970]

It's not secret anymore.

[@linnsmith181]

Imagine that in the winter!!!

[@vanlepthien6768]

It's closed in the winter.

[@charlesvlcek2550]

@@vanlepthien6768 never stopped me from driving it in my four wheel drive

[@joesee8079]

Denver 7 👎

[@aidenryland8081]

I’m not taking my car on a long ass dirt road like that hell naw

[@rocknroll7065]

I've been over it it's only 15 miles and grated not as scary as you might imagine

[@allenra530]

The Pass is only dangerous if you are a stupid driver.

[@NBZW]

About the same as US40 in the early 50s, big deal

[@vanlepthien6768]

The auto volume on US 40 in the 50s was very low, and people were used to driving 50. Oranges and apples.

[@NBZW]

@@vanlepthien6768 oh so scary , people today know what driving on bad road means.

[@LaurenSchraderMusic]

@@NBZW if the street parking is anything to go by, no one from out of state can handle “bad roads” in Colorado

[@vanlepthien6768]

@@NBZW I doubt the people driving on I-70 are going to get smarter when they get off on a dirt road that gets slick with the slightest amount of rain. Especially considering how well they drive on I-70. Locals often use US-6 instead of I-70 because of the idiots.

[@NBZW]

@@vanlepthien6768 cannot argue with that.

[@elmerfudd7674]

Another secret road around is the Coffee Pot Road. Four lanes all paved. Everybody should use it.

[@rocknroll7065]

Nice try 😂

[@DianeSturlinXX]

Damn you blew the secret!