The much-anticipated IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder event is set to sweep through Boulder County come Saturday, June 14, and with it comes a bevy of travel implications for residents and visitors alike. According to Boulder County, those planning to traverse the areas north of Boulder, south of Lyons, and west of Longmont should anticipate a series of road closures and delays as athletes tackle the challenging course.
Drivers, take note: when sharing the road with cyclists, state law requires giving a three-foot berth, and overtaking is permitted over a double yellow line only when the opposite lane is clear. The bike course will be active from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., affecting roads such as CO 119/Diagonal Highway, N. 63rd St., and others. Specific closures include westbound traffic on Jay Rd. from Diagonal Highway to 28th St. and southbound sections of 75th St./73rd/71st St. from Hygiene Rd. to Niwot Rd.
Expected detours have been proposed for those navigating around the event. Northbound US 36 travelers heading to Lyons should pivot to CO 119, drive north on Hover Rd., then continue west on CO 66. Estes Park-bound visitors can take the same route, or use CO 119 to Nederland, move north on CO 72 to CO 7, then forge northward to Estes Park. As for accessing homes within the impacted area, residents will have their pathways, albeit with possible hindrances.
For all athletes and spectators looking to reach the venue at Boulder Reservoir, shuttle services will be the only means of transport on the morning of the race. The pick-up point is set up at the Kyndryl Boulder parking area, access to which must be made from CO 119/Diagonal Highway. The event organizers also noted, "Boulder Reservoir will be closed to the public starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June through Saturday, June 14," as per Boulder County. Hence, no watercraft will be allowed in Boulder Reservoir during this timeframe.
