County Road 26 Detour Information

Local Access Route for Gunnison, Hinsdale & Montrose Counties

The County Road 26 bypass is open multiple times per day in each direction for local public travel -- which includes residents, business owners and those visiting the area. If possible, vehicles traveling through Colorado should utilize the alternate state highway detours to the north and south instead of County Road 26. To maintain this as a viable, safe bypass, traffic will be managed using pilot vehicles. CR 26 (also known as Lake City Cutoff) is a high mountain native surface and gravel road. 

County Road 26 Schedule as of Monday, Sept. 30, 2024

US 50 Middle Bridge opens to traffic from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily as of Sept. 3, 2024. Visit the US 50 Middle Bridge Openings Schedule page for more information. 

Monday to Saturday Release Time Schedule

Eastbound Release Times Westbound Release Times
10:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. - Open with no piloted operations 10:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. - Open with no piloted operations
6:30 to 7 a.m. - Piloted release 7:30 to 8 a.m. - Piloted release
8:30 to 9 a.m. - Piloted release 9:30 to 10 a.m. - Piloted release
10:30 to 11 a.m. - Piloted release 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Piloted release
12:30 to 1 p.m. - Piloted release 1:30 to 2 p.m. - Piloted release
2:30 to 3 p.m. - Piloted release 3:30 to 4 p.m. - Piloted release
4:30 to 5 p.m. - Piloted release 5:30 to 6 p.m. - Piloted release
6:30 to 7 p.m. - Piloted release 7:30 to 8 p.m. - Piloted release
8:30 to 9 p.m. - Piloted release 9:30 to 10 p.m. - Piloted release

Sunday Release Time Schedule

Eastbound Release Times Westbound Release Times
10:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. - Open with no piloted operations 10:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. - Open with no piloted operations
6:30 to 7 a.m. - Piloted release 7:30 to 8 a.m. - Piloted release
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Closed for road maintenance 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Closed for road maintenance
2:30 to 3 p.m. - Piloted release 3:30 to 4 p.m. - Piloted release
4:30 to 5 p.m. - Piloted release 5:30 to 6 p.m. Piloted release
6:30 to 7 p.m. - Piloted release 7:30 to 8 p.m. - Piloted release
8:30 to 9 p.m. - Piloted release 9:30 to 10 p.m. - Piloted release

No other public travel will be allowed outside of these times.

  • No Placarded Hazardous Materials loads per Colorado Department of Transportation Regulations
  • Prohibited vehicles will need to use detours on I-70 or Colorado Highway 160 to travel between Gunnison and Montrose.

Oversize/Overweight Vehicles 

With weight restrictions on the US 50 Lake Fork Bridge west of Sapinero, overweight vehicles are currently prohibited from using the County Road 26 detour.

Oversized vehicles are being handled on a case-by-case basis through the permitting process. Drivers of oversized vehicles must get the proper county and state permits, and they will be told whether or not they can use County Road 26. For state permits contact the Colorado Department of Transportation at 1-800-350-3765 or through https://coopr.codot.gov/.

For County permits contact Gunnison County Public Works at 970-641-0044 or email [email protected] or online at https://gunnisoncounty.org/157/Public-Works.

Oversize Overweight vehicles are required to comply with state regulations found at:
https://leg.colorado.gov/content/size-and-weight-limitations.

County Road 26 Safety Message: It is strongly advised to stay inside or directly next to your vehicle when waiting in queue lines for pilot releases. While people, children, and pets may need to get out of the vehicle for various reasons, this poses a safety concern when working vehicles and emergency vehicles need to share the road as well as when the alternating release of vehicles drive by. To keep everyone’s trip across County Road 26 safe, minimize impacts to all travelers and workers, and to avoid delaying the timing of the releases, all are asked to stay inside or right next to your vehicle.

Bicyclists and County Road 26

We strongly recommend that cyclists avoid traveling on CR 26, though it is not prohibited. While the road has been improved to allow for a single lane of timed entry, it is still a compacted dirt surface with the requirement to clear the road before the next timed entry traffic. We cannot guarantee the safety of bicyclists on this route and for that reason it is recommended to use alternate roads for recreational cycling.
We encourage cyclists to explore the numerous local trails available. Not only will this ensure a safer experience, but it will also enhance the enjoyment of your ride. Check with local bike shops for information about where to ride and upcoming events and races.

Bypass Guidelines

  • Checking for updates daily is advised in the event bypass access is adjusted due to necessary roadwork from changes in road condition.
  • Local public travel refers to travel related to medical visits, commuting for work, visiting the area, and surrounding communities, and for residents who live on either side of the road closure.
  • To maintain this route crews will work on CR 26 road repairs between release times so no other public travel will be allowed before and after those two timeframes. Ambulances will be utilizing this road as well when critically needed.

Bypass Restrictions

  • The bypass will not be open to vehicles more than 85,000 GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). https://leg.colorado.gov/content/size-and-weight-limitations.
  • No oversize loads or Hazardous Materials will be allowed.
  • Prohibited vehicles will need to use I-70 or Colorado Highway 160 (US 160) to travel between Gunnison and Montrose.

County Road 25

Gunnison County Road 25 remains closed. County Road 25 will remain closed until safety improvements have been completed.