I-70 Open Through Glenwood Canyon, More Closures Possible

The good news is I-70 is open through Glenwood Canyon. The bad news is, we don't know for how long.

Interstate Opens Late Monday in Glenwood Canyon

Interstate 70 was open in both directions through Glenwood Canyon Monday evening after being shut down Sunday following a mudslide that sent debris flowing across the highway. It was the second consecutive day the interstate had to be shut down due to rain in the Grizzly Creek Fire burn scar area.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, crews worked through the night to clear debris from the road in an effort to get it reopened as quickly as possible. Eastbound lanes of I-70 were finally opened around 3:00 Monday afternoon, and by Monday evening, the westbound lanes had opened.

Unfortunate Detours

Unlucky I-70 motorists were forced to utilize the standard canyon detour which involves traveling north through Steamboat Springs and Craig. CDOT said some vehicles were trapped at Grizzly Creek because of the mudslides and couldn't be moved until the interstate was reopened.

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More Closures Possible This Week

While the interstate through Glenwood Canyon is open as of Tuesday morning, I-70 travelers need to be alert for possible additional closures this week due to mudslides. According to the National Weather Service, additional rain in the forecast this week could prompt another shutdown. Tuesday's Glenwood Springs-area forecast is calling for a 40% chance of rain, with a 50% chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday.

The best way to keep up-to-date on I-70 travel alerts and closures is at cotrip.org or by dialing 511.