Colorado's Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway Reopens for Memorial Day

The high-altitude road in the Rocky Mountains has been closed for repairs since 2024.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:42am

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A vibrant, textured oil painting depicting a winding mountain road cutting through a dramatic Rocky Mountain landscape, with towering snow-capped peaks in the background, conceptually representing the reopening of the scenic Mount Blue Sky Byway in Colorado.The long-awaited reopening of Colorado's scenic Mount Blue Sky Byway will restore access to this breathtaking high-altitude route through the Rocky Mountains.Blue Sky Today

The Colorado Department of Transportation has completed a major construction project on the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, formerly known as Mount Evans, and the road is set to reopen to visitors over the 2026 Memorial Day weekend. The 49-mile byway, which reaches an altitude of over 14,000 feet, has been closed since September 2024 for repairs to the damaged roadway and restoration of the natural hydraulic processes in the area.

Why it matters

The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is a popular tourist attraction in Colorado, offering panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide. Its reopening will provide access to this scenic route for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts after a nearly two-year closure.

The details

Crews have been working to repair damage to the roadway from the Summit Lake overflow parking lot to the switchback past Summit Lake, as well as restore the natural hydraulic processes in the area. The closure stretched from the gate near the Forest Service welcome station to the summit parking area, with access to the summit only available via hiking trails during the closure.

  • The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, CO 5, was closed in September 2024 due to a roadway construction project.
  • The road construction was completed in 2025.
  • The road from Echo Lake Lodge to the top of the mountain will reopen over the 2026 Memorial Day weekend, if conditions allow.

The players

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

The state agency responsible for maintaining and repairing the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway.

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What’s next

Timed entryway reservations will be required to enter the area when the road reopens over Memorial Day weekend 2026.

The takeaway

The reopening of the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway will restore access to this popular high-altitude tourist destination in Colorado, allowing visitors to once again enjoy the stunning views and outdoor recreation opportunities along the route.