US 550 Red Mountain Pass remains closed due to adverse weather conditions

US 550 Red Mountain Pass will remain closed through Tuesday night. Until further notice, travelers should use the alternate north-south route of CO Hwy 145, via Telluride. 

Adverse weather conditions including high winds, blowing snow, low visibility and high accumulations of snow, have made avalanche mitigation operations impossible to perform. Crews report more than 18 inches of fallen snow in the past few hours. For safety, maintenance personnel have been forced to vacate the pass. Additionally, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center has issued a High Avalanche Warning for the Northern San Juan Mountains. 

Traffic Impacts

• Southbound traffic, from Ridgway and Montrose, will be stopped just south of Ouray at MP 92.
• Northbound traffic, from Durango, will be stopped just north of Silverton at MP 71.
• There is no estimated time of opening the highway.
• Travelers are advised to use the alternate north-south route of CO Highway 145 via Telluride, until further notice.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org 
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts
• See scheduled lane closures
• Check avalanche conditions at CAIC: avalanche.state.co.us   
• Connect with us on social media: Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook facebook.com/coloradodot