DENVER — Colorado roads are a bit bumpier this year as erratic temperatures are creating more potholes, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The state is experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures, creating a thawing and freezing effect impacting roads and highways. Currently one of CDOT's top repair requests through its online forums is for potholes.
"The moisture within the snow once it gets locked underneath the pavement, that's when it can start causing problems for us," said Tamara Rollison, a spokesperson for CDOT.
Colorado's pothole problems are noticeable in Denver. The Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has filled 663 potholes this year and filled a total of 7,441 in 2023. Additionally, a USA Today report found that Colorado was ranked 20th for pothole issues. The same study found the number of pothole car repairs increased by 57 percent between 2021 to 2022.
Despite the high number of potholes, CDOT can't fully repair each one until the temperatures warm up.
"We'll do a quick fix with the potholes," said Rollison. "Once it warms up and we have consistently warmer temperatures later in the spring, then we can go in and make a more permanent fix.”
CDOT's website has this list of hotline numbers for residents to call and report a pothole:
- Metropolitan Denver (Region 1): 303-759-2368
- Southeastern Colorado (Region 2): 719-562-5568
- Northwestern Colorado (Region 3): 970-243-2368
- Northeastern Colorado (Region 4): 970-350-2368
- Southwestern Colorado (Region 5): 970-385-1423
Although CDOT is responsible for many pothole repairs, some roads fall under city or county jurisdiction.
