Overview

• Forecasters say foliage is at or near peak through Sept. 27 in much of the high country, with this weekend described as the season’s best for viewing.
• CDOT expects heavy I-70 traffic westbound late morning into early afternoon and eastbound from late morning well into the evening, with extreme congestion likely on U.S. 285 to Kenosha Pass.
• Based on last year’s data, traffic at the Eisenhower–Johnson Tunnel reached nearly 3,000 vehicles per hour and required metering from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., so drivers are urged to leave early or late.
• Guanella Pass has strict no-parking zones with active ticketing and towing, and officials warn it cannot handle interstate-level detours; use only designated parking areas.
• Saturday offers warm, dry, mostly sunny weather for leaf peeping, while state forest surveys report drought-related browning and reduced reds, with early high-elevation snow potentially shortening the peak period.