A long stretch of Interstate 70 has been intermittently shut down this afternoon, Jan. 10, following an overnight avalanche and avalanche work during the day.
As of about 3 p.m., I-70 eastbound was closed between Vail and Copper Mountain. I-70 westbound had reopened at George Town and Beaver Brook.
U.S. 40 through Berthoud Pass, one of the only alternate routes, is also closed. There is no estimated time of reopening for Berthoud. We would highly, highly recommend staying out of the mountains today. Your delay could be quite a few hours.
The same conditions are forcing evacuations from Arapahoe Basin, the Denver Post reported. Check Colorado DOT's map for the latest closures.
(This post was updated at 3 p.m.)
CDOT originally announced the closure of I-70 at 3 a.m. today. That initial avalanche left snow up to 15 feet deep on the highway, trapping a truck but injuring no one, according to KDVR.
U.S. 40 through Berthoud Pass to Winter Park also is closed this morning. The department warned of 20 minute delays as a result, indicating that it may be periodically letting people through the closure.
