Though Thanksgiving gatherings are prohibited in numerous Colorado counties this year, the Colorado Department of Transportation is still anticipating increased traffic over the holiday weekend.

CDOT emphasizes that nonessential travel is not recommended because of the COVID-19 pandemic and gatherings of any size with multiple households are prohibited in Red Level counties, including Denver.

In Colorado, 1 in 41 people are currently infected with COVID-19, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

“We all have a duty to keep ourselves and each other safe, whether traveling or staying close to home,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew.

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“If you do drive, be mindful of the COVID ‘dial level’ where you are traveling, wear a mask and maintain social distance.”

For those traveling, CDOT said roads in the high country and along the Front Range will experience slick and snowpack conditions this week.

Before any winter driving, CDOT recommends planning a route in advance, removing snow from lights and windows, packing an emergency kit and doing a well-being check on vehicles, including wiper blades, tire pressure and oil.

CDOT’s construction work and maintenance projects will be suspended over the holiday weekend beginning Wednesday to help minimize traffic. Projects will resume Monday.

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CDOT also reminds drivers never to drive impaired. The state launched an increased DUI enforcement period for Thanksgiving celebrations on Nov. 21, lasting until Monday.

“If you are on the road, stay alert and avoid impaired driving at all costs,” Lew said. “Unfortunately the holidays can be a dangerous time for accidents.”

Last year, 99 agencies arrested 430 impaired drivers statewide during the Thanksgiving enforcement period.

Updated information on the condition of state roadways is available at cotrip.org or by calling 511.