CDOT

Loveland Pass is part of US Highway 6 and remains an active mountain transportation route. Colorado Department of Transportation notices show that the pass can close temporarily for organized events, crashes, severe weather, geologic hazards and traffic rerouting from Interstate 70.[2]

What makes this place special

Loveland Pass offers a very different kind of night-sky stop from a park or observatory. The appeal is the high-alpine setting itself: a dramatic mountain crossing, broad sky and a convenient detour from the I-70 corridor when conditions cooperate.[2]

Before you stop after dark

This is still an active highway, not a managed astronomy venue. There is no official telescope pad or standing stargazing program, and a turnout that looks usable on a map may not be safe or available when you arrive. Road conditions, snow, wind, lightning, traffic and legal parking should decide whether the stop works on a given night.[2]

Sources

  1. [1]

    Photo: AstroTours.org

  2. [2]

    Colorado Department of Transportation, Travel / COtrip — codot.gov/travel

  3. [3]

    COtrip road conditions

  4. [4]

    Light Pollution Map — NASA Black Marble / VIIRS sky brightness