US 550 Red Mountain Pass scheduled to close for approximately two hours on Nov. 18

Travel Advisory

Nov. 15, 2024 - Southwest Colorado - CDOT crews will begin safety-critical winter preparations at 10 a.m.
CDOT employee facing US 550 Red Mountain Pass during 2023 winter maintenance
Last year's winter maintenance preparations occurred on Dec. 7, 2023. Crews performed equipment testing after a helicopter transported multiple avalanche mitigation units to their permanent foundations above US 550 Red Mountain Pass.


Southwest Colorado — The Colorado Department of Transportation will perform winter maintenance operations on US Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton on Monday, Nov. 18. Operations will require intermittent highway closures between 10 a.m. and noon. Motorists should plan for lengthy delays to take place for much of the morning.

The closure is needed to allow for motorist safety during helicopter operations and preparations of avalanche mitigation equipment above the highway.

Traffic Impacts 

Winter maintenance operations are scheduled for Monday, November 18 between 10 a.m. and noon.

  • Northbound travelers will encounter a closure near Ironton Park (Mile Point 87)
  • Southbound travelers will encounter a closure at the Bear Creek Bridge (Mile Point 90.5)
  • Motorists will be guided by flaggers through the closure points

Visit COtrip.org for the latest information on road closures and conditions.

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!