Upzoned

Inside the Notorious Gridlock of Colorado's I-70

Apr 17, 2024

Writer Gloria Liu discusses the traffic chaos on I-70 during ski season, exploring the increase in cars, the early morning rush, and potential solutions. The conversation also delves into the relationship between nature and recreational arterials in the U.S.

40:18

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Episode guests

Gloria Liu

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The surge in cars on Colorado's I-70 calls for leaving as early as 3 or 4 AM to avoid gridlock during ski season.

Balancing accessibility to nature while preserving its authenticity highlights challenges in managing recreational travel and wilderness experiences.

Deep dives

The Challenge of Traffic on Colorado's I-70 for Skiers and Snowboarders

The podcast episode discusses the notorious ski traffic on Colorado's I-70, a primary route for accessing ski resorts from Denver. The surge in cars accessing the route, increasing more than 500%, causes gridlock on weekends and holidays during peak winter seasons. To combat this traffic, drivers often need to leave as early as 3 or 4 AM to avoid congestion, highlighting the significant impact on recreational travel to the mountains.

Introduction

2min

Discussion on Unexpected Snow and Colorado's I-70 Traffic

4min

Reflections on the Monotony of the Kansas Drive and the Relief of Reaching the Rockies

2min

Exploring the Gridlock Challenges on Colorado's I-70 Highway

3min

Navigating Nature's Gridlock

13min

Transportation Contrasts: European Ski Towns vs American Cities

16min

Since the 1970s, the number of cars on I-70 between Denver and its surrounding resorts have jumped more than 500%. Coloradans and frequent visitors know that, in order to reach the mountains during the gridlock of ski season, you must leave as early as 3 or 4 a.m. in the morning. Writer Gloria Liu decided to investigate this chaos by jumping directly into the traffic and interviewing the people stuck in it, and the article she penned about her adventure is up for discussion on this week’s episode of Upzoned. Can I-70 be fixed? And what do famous recreational arterials like I-70 reveal about our relationship with nature in the U.S.?

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