US 550 Red Mountain Pass scheduled to close at 9 a.m. on New Year's Eve

Travel Advisory

Dec. 30, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - Crews will perform safety-critical winter maintenance operations between Ouray and Silverton

Southwest Colorado — The Colorado Department of Transportation will perform winter maintenance operations on US Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton, on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Beginning at 9 a.m., traffic will be stopped in both directions and the closure is expected to last through the morning hours. Motorists should seek alternate routes, allow for extra travel time, or arrive and drive through the closure points before the designated closure time.

Closure times are not exact and dependent on successful maintenance operations and weather conditions. Visit COtrip.org for the most current information on road closures and conditions.

Traffic Impacts

US 550 closure begins Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 9 a.m. No estimated time of reopening.

  • Northbound travelers will encounter a closure four miles north of Silverton near Ophir Pass Road (Mile Point 75)
  • Southbound travelers will encounter a closure fourteen miles south of Ouray at Chattanooga Mine (Mile Point 79)
  • Do not attempt to bypass the closure gates
Map of the Dec. 31 closure on US 550 between Silverton and Ouray.
Map of the Dec. 31 closure on US 550 between Silverton and Ouray.

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!