CO Highway 96 and 165 closed due to rockslide at McKenzie Junction

Travel Advisory

Dec. 29, 2024 - Southeastern Colorado - Geo-technical assessment will take place Monday, Dec. 30

Pueblo, Fremont and Custer Counties — The Colorado Department of Transportation has closed CO Highway 165 and CO Highway 96 due to a rockslide in the area of McKenzie Junction in Custer County. CO 96 is closed, as of Sunday evening Dec. 29, from Wetmore to Westcliffe. Closure points are located at the junction of CO 96/CO 67 in Wetmore at Mile Point 26.2 to Westcliffe at MP 0.01. Meanwhile, CO 165 is closed just northwest of Rye at MP 28. Local traffic will be allowed through closure points to access properties on either side of the rockslide area.

Rocks are actively falling and the area is unsafe to begin any mitigation. Geo-technical crews will assess the mountain side and ridgeline above CO 96 on Monday to determine the stability of the mountainside for clean-up.

Traffic Impacts

Motorists will encounter the closure of CO 165 MP 28 and the closure of CO 96 between Wetmore and Westcliffe. Local traffic can access properties on either side of rockslide. Alternate routes are described below.

Western CO 96 Route:

  • North on CO 67 to US 50
  • West on US 50 to CO 69
  • South on CO 69 to Westcliffe

Eastern CO 96 Route:

  • North on CO 69 to US 50
  • East on US 50 to CO 67
  • South on CO 67 to Wetmore

CO 165 Route:

  • South on CO 165 to I-25
  • North on I-25 to CO 96
  • West on CO 96 to Wetmore
Map of road closure on Colorado Highway 96 and Colorado Highway 165 and McKenzie Junction in Custer County. CO 96 is closed from Wetmore to Westcliffe. Detour is highlighted in green via Colorado Highway 67, US Highway 50 and Colorado Highway 69. CO Highway 165 is closed northwest of Rye.
Map of road closure on Colorado Highway 96 and Colorado Highway 165 and McKenzie Junction in Custer County. CO 96 is closed from Wetmore to Westcliffe. Detour is highlighted in green via Colorado Highway 67, US Highway 50 and Colorado Highway 69. CO Highway 165 is closed northwest of Rye.

Rockslide on Colorado Highway 96 at Colorado Highway 165 McKenzie Junction in Custer County.
Rockslide on Colorado Highway 96 at Colorado Highway 165 - McKenzie Junction - in Custer County.

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!

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