Emergency closure of CO 7 for rockslide cleanup extended to at least through Friday

Travel Advisory

June 20, 2023 - Northeastern Colorado - Crews have already hauled 100 truckloads of material from the site

Boulder County — After a long weekend of pulling down tons of loose rock from the CO 7 rock slide wall and blasting boulders the size of fire trucks, crews now expect the closure from Lyons to Allenspark to continue through Friday.

“We realize the inconvenience this has caused for the residents of the canyon,” said Regional Transportation Director Heather Paddock. “But this slide has loosened a lot more rock in this area and we need to get all of that down so it is safe for the traveling public when we reopen.

“One of the hardest parts for residents is planning for the longer detours with their regular commutes, so we wanted to give this Friday as our best estimate for when the road will be open, knowing that we have a few days of rain in the forecast this week as well,” Paddock added.

Since the slide last Wednesday morning, crews have already removed 100 truck loads of rock and debris from the area and there is more to go. Today will include blasting some of the larger boulders, described as the size of garbage trucks and one the size of a fire engine, so they can be hauled from the site as well.

Updates for the closure will be posted to CoTrip.org as they are available.

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:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

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!