Highway 40 over Berthoud Pass is now open after temporarily closing due to safety concerns following an avalanche that buried some vehicles over the weekend. However, the closure of the highway will remain in place for a while longer as the substantial snow-clearing effort continues due to heavy snowfall this week causing two more snow slides on Tuesday.
Visitors in areas like Winter Park and Fraser are facing a major detour if they want to get back to Interstate 70. They have to drive through Grand County to Highway 9 and south to Silverthorne in Summit County.
Both Olivia Dixon, a visitor from Arkansas needing to get to Denver International Airport, and Eva Curtis, a Colorado State University student trying to get back to Northern Colorado, are waiting for the highway to reopen in order to continue their journeys.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced the closure of I-70 Vail Pass from Vail to Copper Mountain for winter maintenance work, suggesting drivers take the southern alternate route via US 24 & CO 9.
This recent closure is a reminder of the challenges posed by heavy snowfall in the mountainous regions of Colorado. Highway closures are common during winter months, and the CDOT faces the ongoing task of keeping the roads safe and clear for all travelers.
Additionally, historic data reveals that avalanches have been a longstanding concern in the region, posing risks to both residents and visitors. In 1979, the deadliest avalanche in Colorado history occurred near Crested Butte, killing eight people. These natural hazards require constant vigilance and response efforts from authorities to ensure the safety of all those traveling through the state’s mountain passes.