Guanella Pass has its earliest opening in years due to lack of snowfall

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:01]Guanella Pass officially opened Thursday and it is the earliest that pass has opened in years just because we haven't gotten much snow this season. So the pass usually opens around Memorial Day weekend. The area did get some snow during Friday's storm but county workers tell us it was not enough to keep the pass closed. So Denver 7's Lauren Lennon took a trip up the scenic route speaking with visitors enjoying this early opening.

[00:00:30]We thought we'd get the dogs out for a walk at the at the waterfalls.

[00:00:34]Frank and Amy Hedy >> all we were planning on doing today.

[00:00:37]spent their Saturday morning enjoying the Guanella Pass. It's incredible. And because of the unusual winter season everything's kind of blossoming as it were for spring. The two were able to enjoy this waterfall earlier than usual.

[00:00:51]What was kind of your reaction when you heard that the pass is opening so early?

[00:00:56]Uh frightened, bewildered. It's because of the winter that we had but you know, it's sad because I'm afraid for the wildfire potential and all of that um and the water.

[00:01:07]Um but also excited to have the season open and be able to use it. So it's it's a tale of two emotions.

[00:01:15]The fact that we are opening it this year uh in the middle of April really shows how much snow we have not been getting.

[00:01:21]>> Megan Hiler Wilson has been with Clear Creek County for 4 years. We've never not opened it on Memorial Day since I've been here. To our county's records it is the earliest that we have ever opened the pass before we paved the pass. We paved the pass around uh I think it was 2015-2016 is when it reopened. So since then this is the earliest that it has been opened. Opening up early is scary but it's also fun at the same time. Fun for visitors It's going to be a mountain fun this summer for us. and an early boom for businesses. A longer season is always a better season for all the shop owners and and businesses in Georgetown. We opened up a little a rental business so we're doing electric vehicle historical tours. So you can come, you can rent an electric bike, you can rent a golf cart and you can run around Georgetown at your leisure, relax. It's going to start the whole mountain biking and hiking and golf cart rental scene and everything else going on in Georgetown which it's awesome. At Guanella Pass Lauren Lennon, Denver 7.