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

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

Latest update on support to Glenwood Canyon by state agencies

Colorado Unified Coordination Group

DENVER, Aug. 9, 2021: A Colorado Unified Coordination Group established on July 30, 2021, with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP)  and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) supports the response efforts for the Glenwood Canyon incident.  The Colorado State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is activated at Level Three operations. Three lines of effort are underway:

  • Clear the debris from I-70, repair necessary infrastructure and reopen the highway led by CDOT. 
  • Clear or mitigate debris in the waterways that threaten critical infrastructure led by DHSEM and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
  • Ensure the safety of drivers and communities along alternate routes led by CSP.

A disaster declaration authorizing the use of the Colorado National Guard for traffic control and debris removal was signed by the Governor on Friday. Additionally, the declaration activates the State’s Emergency Operations Plan and enables State agencies to better coordinate their response while also providing additional funds to respond to the damage and repairs needed in areas affected by burn scar flooding and slides.  Governor Polis requested $116 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Emergency Relief program on August 8. 

CDOT formed an Incident Command (IC) to handle Glenwood Canyon response and recovery efforts. The IC structures serve to focus the department and a team of individuals on recovering from the incidents as quickly as possible.  The primary objective for CDOT is to complete emergency repairs so that all lanes of traffic are open through Glenwood Canyon before ski season begins.

CDOT crews have cleared more than 1,440 truckloads of debris from the I-70 roadway in Glenwood Canyon during the current safety closure, including 440 loads over this past weekend. By weight, up to 26 million pounds of material have been removed between Friday, July 30 and Sunday, August 8. 189 maintenance employees from around the state are assisting with closure management and clean-up efforts. There have been 14,900 man-hours completed by maintenance staff. CDOT and maintenance leadership have also been hard at work responding to this incident, as well as engineering and other CDOT teams. 

CDOT teams will continue to determine the impact to the roadway and use that information to secure Federal Highway funds for repairs to open the roadway.

The CSP is responsible for traffic management and the safety of the traveling public.  The CSP coordinates resources from the Colorado National Guard to staff traffic control points on secondary roadways with high traffic volume. The Patrol has scheduled increased staffing for a two-week period following the start of this closure. This includes an additional 22 trooper shifts focused on alternative routes.  

The CSP is requesting that motorists do not use 911 for closure or route information. This information can be found by visiting www.COtrip.org. If motorists are concerned about an aggressive driver, they are encouraged to call *CSP, please do not call 911.

Colorado SEOC and DHSEM leadership met with the FEMA Region 8 administrator on August 2 to request a joint damage assessment as the first step in requesting federal funding through FEMA.  The data from the damage assessments is required as part of the formal disaster declaration request process to show the impact on the State of Colorado and the counties involved in the Glenwood Canyon incident.  The SEOC is also coordinating with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Forest Service for debris management and recovery in the Colorado River.

The State Recovery Task Force is activated to support short and long-term recovery efforts, including securing funding to assist with the recovery from sources such as the FHWA Emergency Relief Program, U.S. Small Business Administration, Natural Resources Conservation Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency.  

The SEOC is coordinating all resource requests for the response and recovery. The current focus is on securing traffic management resources for CDOT and CSP to ensure the safety of the traveling public on the alternative routes.  The second focus is supporting the agricultural impacts. 

DHSEM regional field managers and the State Recovery Task Force led 12 state and federal agencies through the Glenwood Canyon to begin damage assessments of the river and water supply.  The damage assessment teams include the National Weather Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, DNR, U.S. Geological Survey, CDOT, CDPS, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado River Conservation District, Colorado Avalanche Information Center, U.S. Forest Service. The results of the initial assessment will quantify the damages in order to request recovery funds and create a debris management plan.  

As part of the State Recovery Task Force, an Agriculture Recovery Assessment Team conducted an initial meeting Friday to address safety concerns related to transporting animals and non-refrigerated perishable commodities along the longer alternative route. 

The Colorado Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) is activated and surveying the private sector to determine operational and economic impacts.  These coordination efforts have occurred with businesses through meetings with the chamber of commerce in both Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction.  The BEOC is coordinating with Suncor and Colorado Energy Office (COE) to monitor the impacts of operations and verify the current fuel supply status across the state.  An economic impact report for western slope producers is expected by August 11.   The Colorado BEOC is coordinating the response to future closure incidents through a fuel and rail working group that includes DHSEM, COE, Suncor and rail partners.  Additionally,  the Colorado BEOC is working with the Agriculture Recovery Assessment Team to identify economic impacts to producers due to the I-70 closure.

Latest update on support to Glenwood Canyon by state agencies

CSP: Suspect in West Glenwood

UPDATE: July 3, 1:48 pm
The suspect has been identified as Charles Young (26) from Alabama. He is wanted by CSP Troopers for drug trafficking and reckless endangerment following a high speed pursuit. Young is still at large in the Glenwood Springs area. Troopers are still searching the area.

Troopers have seized approximately 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and a couple pounds of fentanyl pills. If you see the suspect, do not approach, please call 911.

7-3-21, 1:02 pm
SUSPECT AT LARGE
Colorado State Patrol: Troopers, Deputies, and Officers are searching for a black male wearing a black shirt in the area of the Honda dealership in west Glenwood. The suspect fled on foot following a high speed chase related to drugs.

Please call 911 if you see anything suspicious. Please AVOID area, Sheriff K9 and Troopers searching the area for suspect. Follow @CSP_Eagle on Twitter.

CSP: Suspect in West Glenwood

GCSO: Eastbound I-70 closed near New Castle following crash

UPDATE – 5:05 pm
Garfield County Emergency Operations Center: I-70 open at mile marker 105 eastbound, New Castle.

5-21-21, 10 am
Eastbound I-70 is closed due to an accident at the 107 mile marker. Eastbound traffic is being diverted onto US Highway 6 at the 105 (New Castle Exit) and will re-enter at the 109, Canyon Creek Exit.

Westbound traffic remains open but is moving slow.

Two medical helicopters are on scene to evacuate the injured. The accident occurred around 9:00 AM between a car and a semi.

Closure of Eastbound I-70 is anticipated to last several hours. Diverted travelers on US Highway 6, eastbound are asked to drive careful and not stop along the highway to view the accident clean-up operations.

Thank you for your cooperation in this incident.

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ACTUALIZACIÓN – 5:05 pm
Centro de operaciones de emergencia del condado de Garfield: I-70 abierta en la milla 105 en dirección este, New Castle.

5-21-21, 10 am
La I-70 en dirección este está cerrada entre New Castle y Glenwood Springs debido a un accidente. El tráfico en dirección este se está desviando hacia la autopista US 6 en el punto de milla 105 (salida de New Castle) y volverá a entrar en el punto de milla 109 (salida de Canyon Creek).

El tráfico en dirección oeste permanece abierto pero se mueve lento.

Se prevé que el cierre de la I-70 en dirección este durará varias horas. A los viajeros desviados en la autopista US 6, en dirección este, se les pide que conduzcan con cuidado y no se detengan a lo largo de la carretera para ver las operaciones de limpieza del accidente.

GCSO: Eastbound I-70 closed near New Castle following crash

CSP: I-70 eastbound closed at Glenwood Springs exit 116

UPDATE at 12:20 am: 911 dispatch reports I-70 is open between mile markers 116 to 119 both directions; both westbound lanes and one eastbound lane is open.

UPDATE at 10:24 pm: 911 dispatch reports I-70 is closed between mile markers 116 and 119 both directions, between the Glenwood and No Name exits, due to an accident.

UPDATE at 4:40 pm: I-70 open at mile marker 114 and 116 for one lane traffic eastbound. There will be intermittent closures for the next several hours.

2:34 pm: Accident just east of Glenwood Springs exit 116 closed I-70 with no estimated time of reopening.

CSP: I-70 eastbound closed at Glenwood Springs exit 116

111 Fire in South Canyon on north side of I-70


UPDATE: 8.5.20 at 8:30 p.m. This fire is 25% contained, and under investigation. However, Glenwood Fire reports the fire was human caused and accidental in nature.

UPDATE: 6:41 p.m. CDOT: eastbound I-70 is open at Canyon Creek and with a slow roll. One lane open westbound at I-70 exit 114, other lane closed for firefighting overnight. Traffic is moving slowly. Please stay safe. Fire crews are still working along the highway.

UPDATE: 5:15 p.m. Seven aircraft are actively working to suppress this fire. Type 1 and type 3 helicopters responded to the fire.

UPDATE 4:10 p.m.
This fire is approx 35-40 acres in size. Type 1 and type 3 helicopters are responding to this fire.

There is a pre-evacuation order in place for Ami’s Acres. I-70 closure was due to water drops going over the interstate to combat the fire.

Please note that westbound traffic from Eagle County should NOT detour into Gypsum/Cottonwood Pass Road. Cottonwood Pass Road is not recommended or accessible due to paving operations on Valley Road and utility work on Cottonwood Pass Road. Highway updates will be automatically posted to COtrip.org and on CDOT’s Twitter page.

If you live in the West Glenwood area and did not receive pre-evacuation orders, go to garco911.com and sign up for emergency communications. This is how we will contact you if your residence needs to be evacuated. Check @glenwoodspringsfiredepartment on Facebook for updates. Two Rivers Park Boat ramp was closed for active helicopter water drops occurring on the Colorado River.

City of Glenwood Springs press release on the 111 Fire.

111 Fire in South Canyon on north side of I-70