Rabbit Ears Pass

Before the modern highway over Rabbit Ears Pass was built, there was a trail here that was used by people, horses and mules. It became well-traveled towards the end of the 19th century, and wagon road did exist here before the modern roadway was built.^{1, 2}

Work on the modern dirt roadway began in 1911. The road was completed sometime between late July and August of 1915.^{3, 4, 5}

A marker at the top of Rabbit Ears Pass on the old CO Rd. 199 reads: “Improved Highway Opened 1919”. It was not uncommon for mountain highways that were built during the first few decades of the 1900s in Colorado to be re-graded and re-aligned every few years.

The first time that crews attempted to keep the highway on Rabbit Ears Pass open throughout the winter was in 1932, but they were unsuccessful. An article from the Steamboat Pilot in April of 1933 reads:

“There Is no probability of Rabbit Ears pass being opened soon because of the snow depth of over 9 feet on the level and drifts in spots as high as 20 feet.” ⁵

It wouldn’t be until the winter of 1936-37 that the pass would remain open through the winter for the first time. A rotary snowplow was brought over from Berthoud Pass to assist in January, and a similar plow would arrive here to take its place and remain permanently in March.^{7, 8}