The major north-south traffic artery through the Denver metro area had been closed near INVESCO Field at Mile High at the order of the Secret Service for safety reasons during Sen. Barack Obama's speech accepting the Democratic Party's nomination for the presidency of the United States of America.

Drivers had been warned long ahead of the convention of the road closure, which led to a light evening rush hour and an easy closure for the Colorado Department of Transportation. CDOT had also posted signs in various spots along I-25, warning drivers the five-and-a-half mile stretch of road would be off limits.

CDOT used a fleet of snowplows to block the thoroughfare.