RED MOUNTAIN PASS, COLORADO — A large rockfall early Wednesday morning has forced the closure of US 550 Red Mountain Pass between Silverton and Ouray, with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crews on-site working to safely clear a substantial boulder from the roadway. The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m., has blocked both lanes of the high-elevation mountain pass, which connects two key towns in southwestern Colorado.
According to CDOT, the rockfall debris includes a large boulder that must be downsized before it can be removed. Crews are using specialized equipment to begin clearing operations, which started at daybreak. CDOT has not yet determined a timeline for reopening the pass, citing the complexity of safely removing the rockfall debris from the highway.
As of 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, the pass remained closed with no expected re-opening time available. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Drivers traveling between Silverton and Ouray are advised to take an alternate route using CO 145 through Telluride. This detour significantly extends the typical 41-minute drive to approximately one hour and 50 minutes. CDOT has recommended that travelers check for updates on the status of the pass at COtrip.org, where live information on road closures and traffic updates is provided.
This closure of Red Mountain Pass comes as a reminder of the frequent rockfall and avalanche risks along mountain highways in Colorado, where the state’s rugged topography often results in unpredictable road conditions, especially in high-elevation areas. CDOT has recently increased efforts to monitor and mitigate rockfall hazards on several mountain passes, including US 550, where steep slopes and loose rock can be particularly unstable during freeze-thaw cycles or after periods of heavy precipitation.
Motorists are encouraged to exercise caution when traveling on mountain roads and to allow for extra travel time when using alternate routes during closures.
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