Mudslides Close Red Mountain Pass

The rain almost everyone has been hoping for arrived in some places in Colorado. On on Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass, it was too much, too fast causing mudslides which forced the closure of the highway.

The Colorado Department of Transportation first reported the pass closed around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday (July 8) due to a mudslide at mile marker 90 which is approximately two miles south of Ouray.

Heavy rain caused additional problems with mud and water covering the highway and eroding the mountain above and below Highway 550. Crews are currently working to clean up, but have no estimated time for reopening the highway.

The Ouray Police Department posted information and photos from a motorist who was on the pass at the time of the mudslides on their Facebook page just before 8:00 p.m.