CDOT outlines expanded camping, parking rules for USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Parking and camping guidelines have been added to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) highway impacts website for the upcoming USA Pro Cycling Challenge (USAPCC).

In coordination with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), CDOT added the one-time exceptions for those who wish to mimic the spirit of the European-style bicycle race by camping next to state highways in order to watch the race from the immediate sidelines.

Last week, CDOT launched a traveler information website for the race at www.cotrip.org. Due to public interest about spectator camping during the race, CDOT has added parking and camping guidelines that were formulated in coordination with CSP.

Guidelines for highway parking and camping:

Parking and camping will be allowed along Colorado highway right of ways as long as the following conditions are met:

Roadside parking/camping can be in place no more than 24 hours in advance of the time the race is expected to pass that location.

All vehicles, including trailers, must be parked entirely off the traveled portion of the highway, including all shoulders, gore points, divided highway areas, and access to private property.

All vehicles, including trailers, may not pose a safety risk to the motoring public regardless of parking or camping area.

All spectators will ensure their areas are clean of debris and trash promptly after the race passes.

If any area becomes overwhelmed with vehicles, including trailers, or the number of vehicles in an area is deemed excessive, CDOT and CSP may clear the area and require vehicles to move to another location.

Motorists are strongly urged to visit www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc in advance of the race for information regarding road closures, delays, oversize/overweight loads, and detours during the race. The times for delays and closures are estimates and may be subject to change.

Although road closures are in place for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists will be allowed to pass through under the guidance of CSP, race officials, and race volunteers as long as they do not pose a safety threat to the race, the riders, or other spectators.

For real-time information related to highway impacts, motorists are encouraged to sign up for CDOT's email and text alerts, available at www.coloradodot.info by clicking on the green cell phone icon, and are encouraged to follow CDOT on Twitter (@coloradodot).

Daily road closure information during the event will be available by calling 511 from anywhere in the state. CDOT would like to remind motorists to obey road signs, Colorado State Patrol, race officials, and race volunteers. Spectator information is available at the USAPCC official website (www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com).