US 550 Red Mountain Pass to close at 3 p.m. on Monday, March 24

Travel Advisory

March 24, 2025 - Southwestern Colorado - Expect lengthy delays during safety-critical winter maintenance operations

Southwest Colorado — The Colorado Department of Transportation will perform winter maintenance operations on US Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton on Monday, March 24 at 3 p.m. Motorists can expect intermittent highway closures lasting upwards of 30 minutes or more for much of the afternoon. Motorists should plan ahead, allow for extra travel time, or arrive and drive through the closure points before the designated closure time.

Closure times are approximate as the length of delays depends on various factors including successful snow removal operations and severity of avalanche danger.

Traffic Impacts

US 550 closure begins Monday, March 24 at 3 p.m., no exact time of reopening.

Northbound travelers will encounter a closure approximately 10 miles north of Silverton near the summit of Red Mountain Pass (Mile Point 81)
Southbound travelers will encounter a closure at Bear Creek Bridge, approximately two miles south of Ouray (Mile Point 90)
Traffic will be guided through the closure points by flaggers

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

Colorado Department of Transportation Highway Closure Alert Map of the March 24 closure on US 550 between Silverton and Ouray. — Colorado Department of Transportation Highway Closure Alert Map of the March 24 closures beginning at 3 p.m. 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:

Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
Check scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

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!