Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) have partnered together to add avalanche forecasts and warnings to the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) mobile app to make checking avalanche conditions even more accessible to winter outdoor recreationists.
Colorado is known for world-class winter recreation. However, learning how to navigate Colorado’s extreme weather and avalanche terrain is a paramount first step in planning a winter adventure.
During the 2023-24 season, the CAIC recorded over 5,600 avalanches, resulting in 148 people caught, 59 buried and 13 injured. Tragically, two lives were lost in avalanches. Read the full CAIC 2023-2024 Avalanche Season Summary.
CPW is sharing CAIC’s avalanche forecasting information through the free COTREX app to help keep people safe while exploring Colorado trails this winter. COTREX provides authoritative trail information across local, state and federal agencies. More than 235 land managers contribute data on over 50,000 miles of trail across the state.
The new COTREX avalanche feature provides:
- Daily forecasts from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center
- Active avalanche warnings, watches and special alerts
- Ability to turn on statewide forecast areas through a new option in the map layers section
- Danger ratings and avalanche warnings for selected geographic areas
“For CAIC, providing the public with timely information is key to helping people avoid avalanches and stay safe in the backcountry,” said CAIC Director Ethan Greene. “By adding avalanche forecasts and alerts to the COTREX app, we’re making it easier than ever for people to access essential safety information right from their phones. This collaboration will empower people to make informed decisions and enjoy Colorado’s mountains safely.”
Over 40 agency partners use the COTREX app to post real-time advisories, including trail closures, wildfire zones, safety hazards and other essential trail alerts. Users can plan routes, download offline maps and see trip recommendations from participating partners around the state.
“We know avalanche conditions can change rapidly, so we want to do our part to share valuable safety information from reliable outdoor experts with our outdoor community,” said CPW Deputy Director Heather Disney Dugan.
The COTREX app shares the current avalanche conditions generated by the CAIC forecasting experts, but it is not a standalone backcountry resource. People going into the backcountry should also always check the CAIC Avalanche Forecast Map at colorado.gov/avalanche. The map has an avalanche danger rating, a summary of the avalanche conditions and travel advice for navigating the current conditions.
Those recreating or traveling in the backcountry should have the proper avalanche safety gear — a transceiver (beacon), shovel, and probe — and know how to use it effectively with practice.
“Coloradans love getting outside and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife COTREX app is a fantastic way to learn of new trails and trail conditions and explore new areas of our state. The addition of Colorado Avalanche Information Center avalanche forecasts and warnings will help even more Coloradans as they travel in our backcountry over the winter and keep them updated on the most accurate and latest snow conditions,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources.
Find more CAIC avalanche safety resources at colorado.gov/avalanche and avalanche.state.co.us/Español.
Discover winter recreation activities and events at Colorado state parks at cpw.state.co.us. Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and support Colorado state parks and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Learn more at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild
