CDOT has closed Interstate 70 again in both directions at Glenwood Canyon due to a Flash Flood Warning and multiple mudslides.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Several mudslides have been reported along Interstate 70 near the Grizzly Creek burn scar Thursday night, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
CDOT said drivers should expect an extended closure of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon.
The department had closed I-70 in Glenwood Canyon around 9 p.m. Thursday as a safety closure because of a potential for flash flooding in the Grizzly Creek burn scar area.
That Flash Flood Warning will remain in place until 1 a.m. Friday morning.
After the heavy rain and mudslides have ended, CDOT said they will assess the mudslides to see what cleanup is needed before they can reopen the road.
A Flash Flood Warning also forced the closure of I-70 at Glenwood Canyon earlier during the day on Thursday, marking at least the ninth flood-related closure of the highway so far this summer.
CDOT closed the highway between Exit 87 in Rifle and Exit 133 in Dotsero.
Mudslides were reported on Thursday afternoon near Redstone on Highway 133 that remains closed by CDOT because of mudslides from the same cluster of thunderstorms prompting the I-70 closures at Glenwood Canyon.
CDOT automatically closes the flood-prone stretch of highway anytime a Flash Flood Warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
The Grizzly Creek burn scar is located right near the highway, and burn scars are especially vulnerable to flash flooding due to the lack of vegetation to absorb moisture. As a result, flood-driven mudslides are common near or even over the interstate.
If detouring, CDOT asked motorists to use the northern alternate route, which adds an extra 2.5 hours of travel time.
Westbound motorists from the Denver metro area should plan on exiting I-70 at Exit 205 (Silverthorne) and traveling north on Colorado 9 toward Kremmling or exiting I-70 at Exit 157 (Wolcott) and traveling north on Colorado 131 toward Steamboat Springs.
Travelers will then continue west on U.S. 40 and then south on Colorado 13 to complete the alternate route and return to westbound I-70 at Rifle (Exit 90).
Motorists traveling eastbound from Utah or Grand Junction can reach the Denver Metro area by traveling the route above in reverse.
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