CDOT: Interstate 70 open in both directions in Glenwood Canyon

Colorado Department of Transportation

March 7, 11:32 a.m. – Statewide — Eastbound Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon has reopened after a safety closure, due to a rockslide at mile point 123.5. The slide came down onto the outside westbound lane. All lanes were closed as a safety precaution. One lane of westbound I-70 is anticipated to reopen shortly. CDOT’s Geohazards team is en route to further assess the slope above the roadway. 

The slide took place at approximately 10 a.m. this morning, and is located between Grizzly Creek (exit 121) and Hanging Lake (exit 125). The slide is located east of Glenwood Springs. See below for more photos. The slide is mostly rock. Crews immediately began clearing the slide with prepositioned equipment and are making good progress on clearing the roadway. CDOT anticipates crews will be able to quickly clear the slide from the roadway. An alternate route is not recommended at this time.

Rockslide on westbound I-70 Glenwood Canyon on March 7, 2024.
Rockslide on westbound I-70 Glenwood Canyon on March 7, 2024.
Rockslide on westbound I-70 Glenwood Canyon on March 7, 2024.

March 7, 2024, 11:36 a.m. – Interstate 70 has reopened to traffic in both directions.

March 7, 2024, 10:37 a.m. – Interstate 70 eastbound/westbound is closed due to a rockslide that occurred between exit 123 – Shoshone and Exit 125 – Hanging Lake. Road closed between MM 116 (Glenwood Springs) and MM 133 (Dotsero) expect delays

CDOT: Interstate 70 open in both directions in Glenwood Canyon

I-70 closed eastbound: road closed mile markers 116-126 for pileup

Colorado Department of Transportation

12.8.23, 2:41 p.m. – Between exit 114: West Glenwood (Glenwood Springs) and Exit 129: Bair Ranch (7 miles west of Dotsero) from Mile Point 116 to Mile Point 126. Road closed expect delays due to a crash.

Comment: Pileup eastbound at Hanging Lake Tunnel. I-70 closed at Glenwood Springs.

Check CDOT cotrip for closures for updates when traveling.

I-70 closed eastbound: road closed mile markers 116-126 for pileup

I-70 reopened in South Canyon after crash

Glenwood Springs Police Department

I-70 through Glenwood Springs is completely open now. The collision scene has been cleared. Travel cautiously in the current severe weather conditions.

Colorado Department of Transportation

12-8-23, 11:39 a.m. – At Exit 114: West Glenwood (Glenwood Springs) at Mile Point 114.2. Road closed expect delays due to a crash. Slower speeds are advised.

Comment: Eastbound traffic being diverted around crash using the Exit 114 off-ramp and on-ramp.

12-8-23, 10:49 a.m. – Interstate 70 is closed in both directions in South Canyon between Exit 114: West Glenwood and Exit 111: South Canyon (Glenwood Springs) at Mile Point 114. Road closed expect delays due to a crash. Slower speeds are advised.

I-70 reopened in South Canyon after crash

I-70 reopened after closure in Glenwood Canyon for flash flood warning

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

8.25.23, 12:44 am: I-70 is open between mile markers 116-133 both directions, Glenwood Springs and Dotsero.

Colorado Department of Transportation

UPDATE I-70 Glenwood Canyon is open – 12:35 AM (8/25) – I-70 Glenwood Canyon all lanes are open.

UPDATE I-70 Glenwood Canyon remains closed – 9:55 PM (8/24) – Crews are performing a sweep of the canyon after the Flash Flood Warning was lifted around 9 p.m. The team is clearing debris and standing water in the eastbound lanes. There currently is no estimated time for reopening.

I-70 Glenwood Canyon CLOSED – 6:30 PM (8/24) – I-70 in Glenwood Canyon is closed due to a Flash Flood Warning for the Grizzly Creek burn scar area. **All updates will continue to be posted to cotrip.org, CDOT’s Twitter page, and available by dialing 511.**

Closure points for all traffic are Exit 133 (Dotsero), Exit 116 (Glenwood Springs), Exit 109 (Canyon Creek) and Exit 87 (West Rifle). The I-70 closure will stay in place through the Warning and then crews will review whether the canyon is safe to reopen. At this time the Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 9:00 p.m. per the National Weather Service.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

8.24.23, 6:22 pm: I-70 is closed between mile markers 116 and 133 both directions, Glenwood Springs and Dotsero, due to a flash flood warning.

National Weather Service

Flash Flood Warning
COC037-045-250300-
/O.NEW.KGJT.FF.W.0010.230825T0012Z-230825T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
612 PM MDT Thu Aug 24 2023

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a

* 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 900 PM MDT.

* At 612 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 and Shoshone.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3965 10722 3967 10720 3965 10713 3963 10712
      3965 10709 3963 10707 3961 10711 3958 10708
      3957 10711 3955 10714 3954 10720 3954 10724
      3956 10731 3963 10729 3963 10726 3964 10725

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
I-70 reopened after closure in Glenwood Canyon for flash flood warning

CDOT: I-70 Glenwood Canyon open after mudslide cleanup

Colorado Department of Transportation

8.16.23, 8:55 pmStatewide — Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon is OPEN in both directions.

Crews successfully cleared a mudslide this evening at Mile Point 120.6. 

The slide took place at 5 p.m. this evening and was located in the canyon between No Name (exit 119) and Grizzly Creek (exit 121). Crews quickly cleared mud and water from eastbound and westbound I-70 with pre-positioned equipment. Crews and equipment were nearby as part of CDOT’s safety protocol for I-70 Glenwood Canyon.

Crews had mobilized in response to a Flash Flood Watch issued in the late afternoon, allowing an expedited response to the slide and I-70 closure points. All real-time road conditions and updates will continue to post to COtrip.org. Motorists planning to travel in the area should monitor COtrip.org, as well as weather reports.

The Glenwood Canyon recreation path and rest areas will continue to be closed overnight. The path and rest areas will reopen in the morning, conditions and weather permitting.

CDOT: I-70 Glenwood Canyon open after mudslide cleanup

CDOT and Garco911: I-70 through Glenwood Canyon reopened after mudslide

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

8.16.23, 8:53 pm – I-70 is open between mile markers 116-133 both directions, Glenwood Springs to Dotsero.

Colorado Department of Transportation

Gravel in mudslide on I-70 August 16, 2023
Mud and debris in mudslide on I-70 over concrete barriers
Water and debris flowed over concrete barriers onto I-70
Vehicles wait in Glenwood Canyon following rain and water flows onto I-70

8.16.23, 7:04 pm; Statewide — Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon is closed in both directions this evening due to a mudslide in the canyon at Mile Point 120.6. I-70 is closed between West Rifle (exit 87) and Dotsero (exit 133). The slide took place at 5 p.m. this evening and is located between No Name (exit 119) and Grizzly Creek (exit 121). The slide is located east of Glenwood Springs. See below for more photos.

The slide is mostly water with some mud and debris. Material is on eastbound and westbound traffic. Crews immediately began clearing the slide with pre-positioned equipment and are making good progress on clearing the roadway. When crews arrived on scene, the deepest part of the slide was 1.5 feet against the roadway barrier. Water and debris filled a culvert next to the roadway up to nine feet deep.

CDOT anticipates crews will be able to quickly clear the slide from the roadway. An alternate route is not recommended at this time. 

A Flash Flood Watch began at approximately 4:40 p.m. this afternoon. Motorists should monitor weather reports to see when the Flash Flood Watch ends. CDOT will continue to work closely with the National Weather Service to monitor weather while crews clear the roadway.

If motorists would like to use an alternate route, please use COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app to select another route. Please do not use navigation applications to look for alternate routes. There are many auxiliary county and Forest Service Roads that do not have cell service, are not able to withstand highway traffic and require 4×4 vehicles. Cottonwood Pass is restricted to local traffic only.

History

Mudslides in July 2021 prompted an extended safety closure for I-70 for approximately two weeks. Very little flooding took place in Glenwood Canyon in 2022, affecting only the recreational trail. CDOT has conducted extensive rockfall and debris flows prevention work in Glenwood Canyon. Crews will periodically conduct rockfall removal and related work in the canyon.




CDOT and Garco911: I-70 through Glenwood Canyon reopened after mudslide

CDOT: First Flash Flood Watch issued for Glenwood Canyon for 2023

Colorado Department of Transportation

Rest areas and recreation path closed

Statewide — A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the Grizzly Creek Burn scar, which includes Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon. The watch is anticipated to last until 10 p.m. As part of the safety protocol in place to protect travelers on I-70, crews with Colorado Department of Transportation are closing rest areas and the recreation path in the canyon. During a Flash Flood Watch, I-70 remains OPEN. A full description of the safety protocol are outlined in a media release distributed on June 2. 

During the watch, CDOT will have personnel and equipment on standby in preparation for a closure. Employees are stationed at closure points at exit 116 (Glenwood Springs) and exit 133 (Dotsero). Crews will also be on standby at exit 87 (West Rifle). Evacuating travelers from the rest areas and recreation path requires significant time, so closing those locations ahead of time is necessary to allow a swift and safe evacuation of I-70 in Glenwood Canyon if a closure is needed. 

Travelers should monitor National Weather Service updates for the area to see when the Flash Flood Watch ends. The rest areas and recreation path will be reopened when the watch ends. It may be extended if there is heavy rain in the forecast after the watch has ended. CDOT will not issue a media release for the end of the current watch nor future Flash Flood Watch alerts in Glenwood Canyon for the 2023 season. 

Travelers can view closures for the Glenwood Canyon rest areas and recreation path on COtrip.org. First, go to the COtrip map. Next, select the “Rest Areas & Welcome Centers” layer. If the Grizzly Creek Rest Area and the Bair Ranch Rest Area display as closed, click on either rest area to see written information. If the recreation path is closed, the closure will be included in the written information. Rest area and trail users can also check the status of the rest areas and rec path by calling CDOT’s Region 3 customer service information line at 970-243-2368, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Hikers with questions about the Hanging Lake Trail reservations should reach out to the vendor at 970-384-6309 or info@hanginglakeexpress.com. CDOT does not handle hiking reservations or have real-time information about reservations or parking. 

Mudslides in July 2021 prompted an extended safety closure for I-70 for approximately two weeks. Very little flooding took place in Glenwood Canyon in 2022, affecting only the recreational trail. CDOT has conducted extensive rockfall and debris flows prevention work in Glenwood Canyon. Crews will periodically conduct rockfall removal and related work in the canyon.
 

River Access

Commercial river guide services, including rafting companies, continue to have access to the Grizzly Creek and Shoshone Power Plant exits during rest area and recreation path closures, unless a Flash Flood Warning is issued and I-70 is closed. CDOT and partner agencies continue to coordinate with river outfitters. Commercial river trips are limited in number and closely tracked, and companies can be notified immediately if an evacuation is necessary. Companies with access during rest area and recreation path closures have committed to evacuating their customers if there is a Flash Flood Warning, or mudslides, and have liability insurance in place.
 

Be Prepared: Travel Impacts

Motorists planning to travel on I-70, visit rest areas or use the recreation path in Glenwood Canyon should pay close attention to weather forecasts. If there is rain in the forecast, it is possible there will be a safety closure of I-70, rest areas and recreation path. Travelers should use COtrip.org for planning an alternate route in the event of an I-70 closure.

CDOT: First Flash Flood Watch issued for Glenwood Canyon for 2023

I-70 westbound reopened and eastbound closure right lane only – U.S. 6 closed from Debeque to West Parachute and both shoulders are closed due to traffic impacts

Colorado Department of Transportation

7.25.23, 10:11 pm – I-70 between Exit 72: West Parachute (3 miles west of Parachute) and Exit 62: De Beque (De Beque) from Mile Point 71 to Mile Point 62. The roadway is reopened to traffic.

US 6 eastbound between I-70 (De Beque) and I-70 (3 miles west of Parachute) from Mile Point 62.31 to Mile Point 71. Both shoulders closed due to traffic impacts.

7.25.23, 9:07 pm – Between Exit 62: De Beque and Exit 72: West Parachute (4 miles west of Parachute) at Mile Point 70. Road closed expect delays due to fire activity. Follow CDOT’s cotrip site.

Also, U.S. Highway 6 between I-70 and I-70 (3 to 4 miles west of Parachute) from mile point 70 to mile point 71 the road is closed. Expect delays due to traffic impacts.

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

7.25.23, 9:11 pm – Unfortunately, we have another fire that started about a mile east of the Una Bridge and Highway 6 near Parachute. County Road 300 has been closed at approximately mile marker 2. Please stay from the area to let our first responders do their jobs safely. Garfield County Sheriff facebook

Parachute Police Department

7.25.23, 10:15 pm – Eastbound closure is currently the right lane only. Westbound will remain open. HWY 6 is closed from Debeque to West Parachute.

7.25.23, 8:09 pm – Parachute PD posted on facebook that crews were en route to a new fire. Around the 70 mile-marker on I70…just east of the Industrial Park. Will update when we have further. Follow Parachute PD on facebook.

Photos courtesy of Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

I-70 westbound reopened and eastbound closure right lane only – U.S. 6 closed from Debeque to West Parachute and both shoulders are closed due to traffic impacts