Latest Highway Impacts due to Wildfires

Colorado Springs/El Paso and Teller Counties - Waldo Canyon Fire
US 24 Ute Pass:  U.S. Highway 24 remains closed from Cave of the Winds/Manitou Springs (just west of Colorado Springs) up Ute Pass to Trull Road, about one mile west of Crystola.  The highway originally was closed at Crystola since Sunday but the closure was moved west after this afternoon’s mandatory evacuation of east Woodland Park (areas east of Highway 24 from Crystola to Rampart Range Road).

So far, the fire has not done any damage to US 24.

U.S. 24 will remain closed through the weekend and the closure will be evaluated early next week.

The alternate route is SH 67 to Deckers to Jefferson County Road 126 to US 285.  U.S. 285 has seen an increase in traffic.  However, it continues to move smoothly.

I-25 through Colorado Springs: Interstate 25 southbound was closed last night at Interquest Parkway from about 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. to facilitate evacuations from the Air Force Academy and other neighborhoods in the area threatened by or under fire.  We do not anticipate another closure of I-25 as the fire is in the wooded areas, miles west of I-25.  At the interchanges of North Nevada/Rockrimmon, Woodmen Rd and Garden of the Gods Road, the ramps leading to the west direction are closed. Otherwise, everything off I-25 is unaffected by the fires.

However, due to changing conditions, such as wind direction and speed, highway closures could occur on short notice in areas near wildfires and evacuations.

Northeast Colorado Highway Update

High Park Fire/State Highway 14: State Highway 14 has been closed since June 11 because of the High Park Fire. In the past two weeks, U.S. 287 into Laramie, Wyoming and State Highway 125 into Walden have seen increased traffic volumes as they were listed as the alternative route for through traffic.  The highway remains closed indefinitely to through traffic and alternative routes are still in place.

Flagstaff Fire/Boulder Area: No highway impacts. At this time, CDOT remains ready to close highways if necessary and is in constant contact with county and city officials for quick response.

Last Chance Fire/State Highway 71: State Highway 71 reopened yesterday and the fire is 100 percent contained.  CDOT crews were asked to close the highway in order to allow emergency personnel to fight the fire and to allow residents to evacuate.

Woodland Heights Fire/Estes Park: No existing or previous highway impacts. The fire is out and CDOT does not have any upcoming work related to it.

Southwest Colorado Update

The Weber Fire: Off US 160, just south of Mancos.  U.S. 160 was never closed, though CDOT has the shoulder closed at the top of Mancos Hill to discourage motorists’ stopping.

The State Line Fire: CDOT closed U.S. 550 near the state line on Saturday, June 23, and reopened it on Monday, June 25. A section of CDOT right of way fence was burned and will need replacing.

US 160 near Lightner Creek Road: Just west of Durango. No threat to U.S. 160.