US Highway 6 — Loveland Pass
Silverthorne, CO to Georgetown, CO via Loveland Pass Summit
The Loveland Pass section of US-6 serves as the mandatory alternate route for hazardous materials vehicles prohibited from using the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel on I-70. At 11,990 feet, the pass is the highest paved highway in Colorado regularly used by commercial vehicles. The two-lane road climbs through tight switchbacks above treeline, with no guardrails on outer curves and sheer drop-offs. The eastern descent toward Georgetown has sustained grades with no runaway truck ramp. Continental Divide weather can shift from clear to blizzard in minutes.
Length
30 miles
30 miles
Risk Rating
HIGH
HIGH
Risk Factors
Highest paved commercial vehicle pass in Colorado (11,990 ft)
Mandatory hazmat routing — daily commercial vehicle traffic
Switchbacks with no guardrails and sheer drop-offs
No runaway truck ramp on eastern descent
Continental Divide weather — rapid condition changes
Altitude effects on braking and engine cooling
Notorious Segments
- Loveland Pass summit and eastern descent to Georgetown
- Upper switchbacks above Keystone
Connected Hubs
Regions
United States
West
Colorado