Colorado Department of Transportation

CDOT: Westbound I-70 closed in Glenwood Canyon due to multiple vehicle crash

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Colorado Department of Transportation

Motorists on northern alternate route must plan for weather and additional travel time

1.17.23, 12:19 p.m. STATEWIDE — A safety closure is in place for westbound Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon at exit 133 (Dotsero) due to a multiple vehicle crash located further west at Mile Point 122.9. Motorists should anticipate the westbound safety closure being in place until at least this evening. Westbound motorists are being routed onto the northern alternate route. The alternate route will add at least 2.5 hours travel time. Please see below for more info about the northern alternate route. Eastbound I-70 remains open. All updates will continue to post to COtrip.org. More pictures will be posted on the CDOT Facebook page and the media kit folder as they become available.

Four commercial vehicles were involved in the crash. Crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to remove the vehicles. One vehicle is a tanker carrying gasoline. In order to clear the crash, crews are draining the remaining 7,000 gallons of gasoline into another tanker. Draining into the second tanker is anticipated to require at least four hours. The tanker spilled 3,000 gallons of gasoline after the crash. The spill has been stopped and a hazardous vehicle crew is overseeing clean up.

Three trucks crashed in Glenwood Canyon on Interstate 70 near Glenwood Springs.

Northern alternate route

It is very important to check COtrip.org and weather forecasts before traveling on the northern alternate route. It is a more remote route with limited cell service and services. Smartphone users can also use CDOT’s free COtrip Planner mobile app.

To use the northern alternate route, westbound motorists from the Denver metro area will exit I-70 at exit 205 (Silverthorne) and travel north on Colorado Highway 9 towards Kremmling. At Kremmling, travelers will continue west on US Highway 40 until the intersection with Colorado Highway 13 in Craig. Turn south on CO 13 to complete the alternate route and return to westbound I-70 at Rifle (exits 87 or 90). Motorists should be prepared for icy and snowpacked areas along this route and are encouraged to drive for the conditions.

Semi trucks and a tanker collided in Glenwood Canyon on Interstate 70.

Know Before You Go 

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

CDOT: Westbound I-70 closed in Glenwood Canyon due to multiple vehicle crash

Two I-70 closures in Glenwood

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

10.12.22, 9:02 am – I-70 is open between mile-markers 133 and 116 both directions, Dotsero to Glenwood Springs.

10.12.22, 6:59 am – I-70 is closed again, at mile-marker 116 eastbound, Glenwood Springs, due to an accident.

10.12.22, 6:53 am – I-70 is open at mile-marker 116 eastbound, Glenwood Springs. Westbound is still closed.

10.12.22, 6:14 am – I-70 is closed between mile markers 133 and 116 both directions, Dotsero to Glenwood Springs, due to an accident.

Two I-70 closures in Glenwood

NWS and CDOT: I-70 reopened; flash flood watch until 8 pm

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Colorado Department of Transportation

TRAVEL ALERT | ROAD OPEN – I-70 Glenwood Canyon

UPDATE – 4:00 p.m. (8/21) – The National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning for I-70 Glenwood Canyon has been lifted and I-70 is open. Motorists should continue to check weather conditions before traveling through the area.

National Weather Service

Central Colorado River Basin-Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys – Flat Tops
321 PM MDT Sun Aug 21 2022

Map of flash flood watch area

FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE GRIZZLY CREEK FIRE BURN AREA IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING.

  • WHAT…Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area.
  • WHERE…Portions of northwest Colorado and west central Colorado, including the following areas, in northwest Colorado, Flat Tops.
    In west central Colorado, Central Colorado River Basin and Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys.
  • WHEN…Until 8 PM MDT this evening.
  • IMPACTS…Heavy rainfall over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area is expected up to and during the period of the watch. Residents near the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area should prepare for potential
    flooding impacts. Be sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities. Heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding of low-lying areas, urbanized street flooding, and debris flows in and near recent wildfire burn scars.
  • ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
  • National Weather Service Meteorologists are monitoring the potential for heavy rainfall over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area, which may lead to flash flooding and debris flows.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Flash flood warning ends, watch continues

Eagle CO – Garfield CO –
321 PM MDT Sun Aug 21 2022

FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE GRIZZLY CREEK FIRE BURN AREA IS CANCELLED FOR WESTERN EAGLE AND EAST CENTRAL GARFIELD COUNTIES.

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining closures.

Garco911

8.21.22, 2:45 pm – I-70 is closed between mile-markers 116-133 both directions, Glenwood Exit/Dotsero, due to a flash flood warning.

8.21.22, 2:04 pm – I-70 is closed between mile-markers 114-133 both directions, West Glenwood Exit/Dotsero, due to a flash flood warning.

Colorado Department of Transportation

8.21.22, 2:47 pm – STATEWIDE – The Colorado Department of Transportation has closed Interstate 70 Glenwood Canyon due to a Flash Flood Warning issued for the Grizzly Creek Fire burn scar and Glenwood Canyon. The warning was announced by the National Weather Service at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Aug.21. As of 1:45 p.m.,the warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m. Eastbound and westbound I-70 are closed from Glenwood Springs (exit 116) to Dotsero (exit 133), with a second closure point for westbound traffic at Eagle (exit 140). Eagle County residents will still have access to locations between exits 133 and 140 by using US Highway 6. On the west side of the canyon, motorists continue to have access to Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley

A safety closure of I-70 is necessary as part of safety protocol to protect the traveling public from flash floods and mudslides in Glenwood Canyon. Motorists should monitor weather alerts to see when the Flash Flood Warning ends. The safety closure will continue to be in place until the Flash Flood Warning is lifted. The closure may stay in effect if weather conditions are unpredictable or if flash floods occur.

Motorists should use COtrip.org or CDOT’s free COtrip Planner mobile app to plan an alternate route. The northern alternate route on US Highway 40 is recommended for most motorists. The northern alternate route will require approximately 2.5 hours additional travel time to reach your destination, compared to traveling on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. Westbound motorists from the Denver metro area can reach the northern route via US Highway 40, Colorado Highway 9 or Colorado Highway 131. (When detouring north onto CO 9, motorists should anticipate construction at exit 205 in Silverthorne.) Travelers can then continue west on US Highway 40 and then south on CO 13 to complete the alternate route and return to westbound I-70 at Rifle (exit 90). For eastbound I-70 motorists, a traffic control point is in place at eastbound West Rifle (exit 87) to guide motorists to the northern alternate route.  Before detouring onto any alternate route, motorists should refer to COtrip.org for the latest road conditions. By traveling on the recommended alternate route, motorists can avoid major delays caused by rough roads and other hazards.

Flash Flood Warning | Closed I-70 Glenwood Canyon MP 116-133

8.21.22, 1:55 pm – I-70 is closed in both directions between Exit 116 in Glenwood and Exit 133 in Dotsero. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Grizzly Creek burn scar area in Glenwood Canyon. This closure is due to safety concerns. The roadway will remain closed until the Flash Flood Warning expires and the roadway is inspected for slides or damage.

National Weather Service

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
146 PM MDT Sun Aug 21 2022

Map of closure area

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has extended the

  • Flash Flood Warning for…
    The Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area in…
    Western Eagle County in west central Colorado…
    East Central Garfield County in west central Colorado…
  • Until 430 PM MDT.
  • At 146 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow moving through the Glenwood Canyon area. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

HAZARD…Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area.

SOURCE…Radar.

IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area.

  • Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…Glenwood Springs, Shoshone and Dotsero.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks…streams…and ditches in the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area. Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters…climb to safety.

Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

NWS and CDOT: I-70 reopened; flash flood watch until 8 pm

GCECA and CDOT: I-70 reopened both directions for separate accidents

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Colorado Department of Transportation

7.5.22, 8:09 a.m. – I-70 westbound: roadway reopened to traffic between exit 129 – Bair Ranch and exit 125 – Hanging Lake.

7.5.22, 4:55 a.m. – I-70 westbound mile post 133 at Dotsero is closed due to a commercial motor vehicle recovery. Estimated time of reopening is 2-3 hours. Follow detour onto CO hwy 9 north to US 40 west to CO hwy 13 south. Updates are posted on CDOT’s cotrip site.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

7.5.22, 3:28 a.m. – I-70 is open at mile-marker 90 eastbound, Rifle.

Colorado Department of Transportation

7.5.22, 2:24 a.m. – I-70 westbound closed between exit 129: Bair Ranch and exit 125: Hanging Lake (Glenwood Springs) at Mile Point 127.7. Road closed, expect delays due to a crash.

7.5.22, 12:29 a.m. – I-70 eastbound, closed – between exit 87 (Rifle) and exit 97 (near Silt) from mile point 90 to mile point 96.5. Road closed, expect delays due to a crash. Slower speeds are advised. Follow detour onto US 6 exit at exit 90/Rifle.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

7.5.22, 12:25 a.m. – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 90 Rifle eastbound, due to an accident.

GCECA and CDOT: I-70 reopened both directions for separate accidents

CDOT: Fire in Glenwood Canyon contained

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Glenwood Springs Fire Department

May 10, 4:37 pm – UPDATE on the wildfire in Glenwood Canyon. The fire is contained and crews are in mop-up mode. Crews were able to keep the fire at 1/4 acre.

Assisting agencies include Union Pacific Railroad, Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit East and Central Zones, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – Colorado, and Colorado River Fire Rescue.

Glenwood Springs Fire Department

May 10, 3:34 pm – We are on scene of a small brush fire in Glenwood Canyon, around mile marker 122. The fire is on the south side of the river, and is roughly 1/4 acre in size. There is no threat to the public at this time.

Estamos en la escena de un pequeño incendio de maleza en Glenwood Canyon, alrededor del marcador de milla 122. El incendio está en el lado sur de la interestatal, y tiene aproximadamente 1/4 de acre de tamaño. No hay amenaza para el público en este momento.

Colorado Department of Transportation

May 10, 3:28 pm – Between Exit 121: Grizzly Creek and Exit 123: Shoshone (Glenwood Springs) at Mile Point 121.7. Fire activity, not threatening I-70. There is a right lane closure for eastbound traffic to assist emergency response to the fire.

Do not call 911 if you see smoke in this area.

CDOT: Fire in Glenwood Canyon contained

Westbound I-70 near Glenwood Canyon reopened after closure

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

3.16.22, 1:20 p.m. – I-70 is open at mile-marker 133 westbound, Dotsero.

Colorado Department of Transportation

3.16.22, 8 a.m. – Westbound I-70 near Glenwood Canyon is closed due to a commercial motor vehicle crash. The westbound closure is in place between exit 133 (Dotsero) and exit 129 (Bair Ranch). Westbound motorists should plan for an extended closure today and use an alternate route. Eastbound is open with one lane.

Crews will be working as quickly and safely as possible to remove the crashed tractor-trailer. A significant factor is the trailer is torn open and the entire load must be cleared and offloaded. Then a crane will likely be used to remove the empty trailer.

Updates and conditions will continue to be posted to COtrip.org.

Semi in Glenwood Canyon blocking westbound traffic
Glenwood Canyon closure

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

3.16.22, 7:46 a.m. – I-70 is closed at mile marker 133, westbound, Dotsero, due to an accident. No estimated time for reopening.

Westbound I-70 near Glenwood Canyon reopened after closure

I-70 closed in Glenwood Canyon following multi-vehicle crash

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Colorado State Patrol

1.3.22, UPDATE – 3:04 p.m. – ROAD OPEN: Interstate 70 in BOTH directions is now open through the Glenwood Canyon, following a multi-car crash. With sub-zero temps, roadways are still icy! Please take your time and SLOW DOWN!

Colorado Department of Transportation

1.3.22, UPDATE – 12 p.m. – Emergency responders continue to work to safely clear the crash. All real time updates will continue to be posted to cotrip.org, CDOT’s Twitter page, and are available by dialing 5-1-1.

Colorado State Patrol

1.3.22 – 11:04 a.m. – ROAD CLOSED due to multi-car crash in Glenwood Canyon. I-70 is closed in both directions due to a 17 car crash (15 cars and 2 commercial motor vehicles (CMV’s)). Injuries are reported. Emergency crews are on scene trying to clear the incident.

photos: Colorado State Patrol

Colorado Department of Transportation

Travel Impact | I-70 is closed both directions through Glenwood Canyon

I-70 is closed both directions between milepost 116 and 133 through Glenwood Canyon following a multi-vehicle crash.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

1.3.22 – 10:05 a.m.: I-70 is closed at mile marker 133 westbound, Dotsero, due to an accident.

1.3.22 – 9:52 a.m.: I-70 is closed at mile marker 116 eastbound, Glenwood Springs, due to an accident.

I-70 closed in Glenwood Canyon following multi-vehicle crash

CDOT: I-70 Glenwood Canyon emergency project begins to make permanent repairs

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Colorado Department of Transportation

Contracted team has begun assessing and repairing damaged areas

GARFIELD/EAGLE COUNTIES – The Colorado Department of Transportation has awarded contractor partner, Colorado-based Lawrence Construction, the I-70 Glenwood Canyon Emergency Project. Motorists traveling on Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon should anticipate delays, as well as intermittent daytime and nighttime closures, due to repair work. On July 29 and 31, the canyon was impacted by several major materials slides, including mudslides. The debris did considerable damage to the interstate at Mile Point 123.5, known as Blue Gulch.

“We are encouraged to get this project kicked off and have a contractor that mobilized so quickly and is using a plethora of local help,” said CDOT Executive Director, Shoshana Lew. “We understand how impactful the closures of the canyon are on the local economy. Governor Polis has been clear that he wants everything completed before Thanksgiving, and we are optimistic we will have the interstate back open to four lanes at this location by the end of November.”

Crews have been actively setting up permanent traffic control barriers at the Blue Gulch location, where a majority of the repair work will start. The initial damage and clean up after the materials slides required an extended closure of I-70 in Glenwood Canyon to ensure the safety of the traveling public. I-70 in the canyon is now open, with the Blue Gulch section of roadway down to one lane each direction due to temporary and long term repairs.

At MP 123.5, crews are excavating mudslide material surrounding the 7’x7’ concrete box culvert that runs beneath the interstate from Blue Gulch to the river. CDOT crews have uncovered the culvert inlet, which was severely damaged due to the mudslides. The contractor team now is working to determine how much debris is in the culvert and the extent of the damage and repairs that will need to be made.

Additionally, crews are excavating and hauling debris from the MP 123.5 location to begin the first phase of roadway and retaining wall reconstruction. Portions of the eastbound roadway retaining wall adjacent to the recreation path were destroyed or severely damaged in the event. This wall infrastructure supports the eastbound lanes.

On the westbound deck, removal and rebuilding of the damaged parapet wall, and concrete deck will be in tandem with the work on the culvert. 

Repairs to the recreation path will round out the project as well as continued debris removal, railing and barrier repair at several locations throughout the canyon that experienced material slides.

Lawrence Construction is using several local subcontractors that all have experience in Glenwood Canyon. The subs are from Gypsum, Silt, Carbondale and Grand Junction. 

TRAVEL IMPACTS

  • Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  • There is currently a permanent one lane closure at mile point 123.5. westbound the closure is ½ mile long, eastbound the closure is 1.5 miles long.
  • Intermittent lane closures should be expected for utility work that will also be present in the canyon.
  • Several night closures are identified in the contract in order to perform safety critical work that would be difficult to perform under live traffic. Those closures will impact one direction of travel at a time and cannot be consecutive nights. A robust outreach plan is in place to alert locals and visitors of these closures at least 72 hours before they are initiated.
  • Motorists should anticipate delays depending on traffic volumes.
  • It is imperative for motorists to drive the posted speed limit through the work zone and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
  • Travelers are urged to slow down, obey the posted lowered speed limit and avoid all distractions.

This current phase of the emergency project is $6.1M.

Stay informed and connect with the project

Project information is available at: 

CDOT: I-70 Glenwood Canyon emergency project begins to make permanent repairs

CDOT: Glenwood Canyon open

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Colorado Department of Transportation

Friday, Aug. 20 @5:00 a.m. – I-70 in Glenwood Canyon is OPEN between Exit 116 (Glenwood Springs) and Exit 133 (Dotsero).

  • Crews are closely monitoring weather forecasts today and are prepared to go back into a safety closure should the National Weather Service issue a flash flood WARNING. 
  • Motorists should plan for slower speeds and congestion through the canyon, especially at MP 123.5 where traffic is in the temporary one lane configuration.The WB lane closure is ½ long and EB 1.5 miles.
CDOT: Glenwood Canyon open

CDOT: Glenwood Canyon may open by daybreak

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Colorado Department of Transportation

CDOT encouraged by condition of I-70 Glenwood Canyon after consistent precipitation, anticipated to open by daybreak

Crews clearing three small material slides this evening

GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Barring any further weather impacts through the night, CDOT crews anticipate opening I-70 Glenwood Canyon by daybreak on Friday, Aug. 20. Crews were encouraged by how well the canyon landscape weathered over three inches of rain that fell over a 24 hour period.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for continued precipitation to dissipate in the early morning hours. Crews have already commenced cleaning up three small material slides in several areas that have seen activity before.

The Colorado Department of Transportation closed Interstate 70 in both directions through Glenwood Canyon at mile points 133 (Dotsero) and MP 116 (Glenwood Springs) at 4:20 p.m. on Aug. 18 due to a Flash Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service. 

Rain gauges throughout the area measured over three inches of rain in several locations. CDOT will continue to follow the same standard traffic safety and detour procedures that have been in place during the previous closure as forecasts dictate. The repairs in Glenwood Canyon have held up through this weather event so far.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

CDOT: Glenwood Canyon may open by daybreak