Monarch Pass Avalanche Control Shelter

Project Background

Crews have completed work on the US 50 avalanche control project.  Work performed included installing a control shelter which will house equipment needed for the operation of a remote avalanche control system at a known snow slide path near the Monarch Ski Area. The new system provides more efficient avalanche control, making the area safer for the traveling public. This remote system is also more reliable and safer for CDOT personnel to operate. CDOT currently operates more than 30 remote systems at several locations on high mountain highways and the I-70 mountain corridor. 

Every winter CDOT and sister agency, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, regularly monitor and control some 278 of 522 known avalanche paths located above Colorado highways. The monitoring and mitigation help prevent natural avalanches from impacting public travel. When there is high risk of avalanche danger, CDOT will close highways at the location of the avalanche path in order to conduct avalanche control operations. While the road is safely closed to any traffic, avalanches are triggered. Maintenance crews with heavy equipment then clear the highway of any snow and debris that reached the road. The highway can then be re-opened for safer public travel.   

Crews also:

• made minor improvements to trails
• removed trees
• rock scale

Schedule & Travel Impacts

• No further traffic impacts