Data from AAA predicts only one in four Coloradans will travel for the holidays this year, the lowest in the state since 2002.

The decline in travel plans is because of the continued risk of COVID-19. In Colorado, one in 40 people are currently infected with the coronavirus and health officials are urging Coloradans to only celebrate the holidays within their own household.

In Denver County and other Red Level areas, personal gatherings of any size are prohibited because of COVID-19 risks, including private holiday celebrations.

Health officials urge Coloradans to only celebrate holidays with household

Nationally, this year marks the first drop in year-end travel since 2008, breaking 11 straight years of annual travel volume growth.

“An extraordinary year demands an extraordinary message: Unless you absolutely have to travel, stay home this holiday season,” said Skyler McKinley with AAA Colorado.

AAA expects 1.5 million people in Colorado and 84.5 million in the U.S. to travel this season, a 29% national decrease from 2019.

Of Colorado holiday travelers, AAA predicts 95%, or 1.46 million, will travel by car. Only 61,000 are expected to travel by airplane, contributing to a 58% national decline in year-end air travel compared to 2019.

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While many are upset by the thought of spending the winter holidays away from friends and family, officials urge the public to hold out on gatherings until the pandemic is under control.

McKinley said this is the first time in more than a century that AAA is advising against travel.

“The travel environment on the other side of this crisis will be unbelievably enriching — but to get there, we need to cancel our plans and keep our circles small,” McKinley said. “It will be worth it, I promise.”