I-70 through Glenwood Canyon closing due to Flash Flood Warning

Eagle & Garfield Counties - The Colorado Department of Transportation is putting a safety closure into place for Interstate 70 in both directions through Glenwood Canyon from Glenwood Springs (exit 116) to Dotsero (exit 133) due to a Flash Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service. The warning was issued at 6:20pm on Monday, June 27 and is in effect until later this evening. Motorists should plan on the I-70 safety closure in Glenwood Canyon being in place through the remainder of the Flash Flood Warning. The safety closure may continue after the warning if there is flooding, mudslides or significant rainfall in the forecast for the immediate area.

CDOT asks that motorists plan an alternate route by using COtrip.org or CDOT’s free COtrip Planner mobile application. Westbound motorists from the Denver metro area can travel north around the closure via US Highway 40, Colorado Highway 9 or Colorado Highway 131. Travelers can then continue west on US Highway 40 and then south on CO 13 to complete the alternate route and return to westbound I-70 at Rifle (exit 90). Motorists should anticipate heavy traffic at the Silverthorne interchange (exit 205) due to construction in the area. By using COtrip.org or CDOT’s mobile application, motorists will be able to choose the best route to reach their final destination.

For eastbound I-70 motorists, a traffic control point is in place at eastbound West Rifle (exit 87) to guide motorists to the northern alternate route. Visitors and local traffic traveling eastbound on I-70 to Glenwood Springs and destinations in the Roaring Fork Valley will have access to eastbound I-70 in order to reach their destination.

Be Prepared

Mudslides in July 2021 prompted an extended safety closure on I-70 for approximately two weeks. For spring, summer and fall 2022, CDOT continues to have an I-70 Glenwood Canyon safety protocol in place to protect the traveling public. Motorists planning to travel on I-70, visit rest areas or use the recreation path in Glenwood Canyon should pay close attention to weather forecasts. If there is rain in the forecast, be prepared for a safety closure of I-70, rest areas and recreation path. CDOT recommends that travelers have a back up plan in the event that closures are necessary.

Download the COtrip App!

The new FREE COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!