Author: webedit

CDOT: Sun glare safety closures on eastbound I-70 at Floyd Hill begin in November

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Colorado Department of Transportation

Travel alert – Sun glare safety closures on eastbound I-70 at Floyd Hill begin in November Motorists should expect delays in the early morning hours on sunny days I-70 Mountain Corridor — Sun glare season is here and that means on sunny mornings, eastbound Interstate 70 at Floyd Hill east of Idaho Springs will close from sunrise to 8:30 a.m. from early November through February. When closures occur, drivers traveling on eastbound I-70 should prepare for delays of up to an hour. The first closure could occur at sunrise on Sunday, Nov. 3 if the weather is clear and sunny.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) want to remind drivers that the closures are necessary to prevent crashes because the sun glare on eastbound I-70 is blinding. The sun’s angle, in combination with the hill and the highway’s configuration, can create a blinding sun glare for drivers as they head eastbound up Floyd Hill (about Mile Points 244 to 248 – east of Idaho Springs). The intense sun glare occurs as far east as Genesee beginning around sunrise and lasting until around 8:30 a.m.

Sun glare along eastbound I-70 near Floyd Hill.

Detour route

  • If a sun glare safety closure is in place along eastbound I-70:
  • Traffic headed eastbound on I-70 will be rerouted at Exit 244 (US 6) which is at the bottom of Floyd Hill.
  • Motorists can either stay the course on US 6 through Clear Creek Canyon, or they can take the eastbound I-70 frontage road (US 40) and get back onto I-70 at Beaver Brook (Exit 248).
  • Truckers should be aware, there are height restrictions in the tunnels along US 6 Clear Creek Canyon, no vehicles over 12′ 7″ can travel this route.
  • The closures average around 45 minutes to an hour and can occur between sunrise and 8:30 a.m. from November through February each year.

Drivers who travel eastbound I-70 in the early morning hours during fall and winter are urged to pay attention to the overhead message boards beginning just east of the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel. The signs will have the latest information on sun glare closures. Drivers can also check the travel alerts by going to COtrip.org.

The sun glare closures at Floyd Hill are for the safety of the traveling public. The decision is made on a case by case basis each morning with collaboration between CSP and CDOT personnel who are stationed near Floyd Hill. The eastbound sun glare can become blinding for drivers, especially when there is leftover moisture on the roadway from a storm or from pre-storm road treatment materials. On top of that, mountain driving conditions include steep hills, sharp turns, and possibly wildlife crossing the highway. For these reasons, the sun glare safety closures at Floyd Hill become necessary. This is a unified effort between CSP and CDOT to keep motorists as safe as possible.

Other driver recommendations

  • Adjust your eastbound I-70 travel plans near Floyd Hill to before sunrise or later in the morning. Prepare for a sun glare safety closure to occur if you are traveling eastbound up Floyd Hill between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on sunny days November through February.
  • Make sure your windshield is clean – inside and out. Ensure your vehicle has plenty of windshield wiper fluid.
  • Wear a good pair of sunglasses to provide shading.
  • Expect traffic slowdowns between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. along I-70 eastbound near Floyd Hill, and adjust your speed to avoid sudden reactions.
  • Let off the accelerator and slow down gradually instead of slamming on the brakes, if suddenly blinded by the sun.
  • Road conditions can change quickly at this time of year. Drivers can check the latest road and weather conditions by going to COtrip.org.
  • For more information visit sun glare safety — Colorado Department of Transportation.
CDOT: Sun glare safety closures on eastbound I-70 at Floyd Hill begin in November

GSPD: Gas leak secured near 6th and Pine streets in Glenwood Springs

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Glenwood Springs Police Department

October 28, 2024, 3:22 p.m.: Update: The gas line has been secured. All evacuation and shelter-in-place orders have been lifted. Crews will continue working in the area, so please avoid 6th Street between Maple and Olive.

ACTUALIZACIÓN 3:22 p.m.: La línea de gas ha sido asegurada. Todas las órdenes de evacuación y de refugio en el lugar han sido levantadas. Las cuadrillas continuarán trabajando en el área, por lo que se recomienda evitar la calle 6, entre Maple y Olive.

October 28, 2024, 2:36 p.m.: – Our team is responding to a ruptured gas line near 6th Street and Pine Street. Black Hills Energy is also on scene and actively working to control the leak. For public safety, the area east of Maple Street is under a combination of Shelter in Place and Evacuation Orders. This includes the Hot Springs Pool, Hotel Colorado, and Yampah Vapor Caves.

We advise all residents and businesses to follow instructions from emergency personnel on site. Please avoid the area to ensure the safety of all responders and residents.

Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.

Nuestro equipo está respondiendo a una ruptura de línea de gas cerca de la Calle 6 y la Calle Pine. Black Hills Energy también está en el lugar y trabajando activamente para controlar la fuga. Para la seguridad pública, el área al este de la Calle Maple está bajo una combinación de órdenes de Refugiarse en el Lugar y de Evacuación. Esto incluye las instalaciones de Hot Springs Pool, Hotel Colorado y Yampah Vapor Caves.

Aconsejamos a todos los residentes y negocios seguir las instrucciones del personal de emergencia en el sitio. Por favor, eviten la zona para garantizar la seguridad de todos los respondientes y residentes.

Se proporcionarán más actualizaciones a medida que evolucione la situación.

GSPD: Gas leak secured near 6th and Pine streets in Glenwood Springs

GarCo911: Interstate 70 reopened after accident cleanup

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

9.19.24, 1:50 p.m. – I-70 is open at mile-marker 116 EB, Glenwood Springs.

Colorado Department of Transportation

Emergency crews responded to a commercial semi-truck that crashed on I-70.

A commercial semi-truck crash occurred on I-70 about six miles east of Glenwood Springs on Tuesday.  A full eastbound closure is scheduled for Thursday, 9/19 at 11 a.m. for additional cleanup. 

September 19, 2024, 11:31 a.m. – Colorado Department of Transportation: A full eastbound closure began at 11 a.m. today in Glenwood Canyon. CDOT maintenance crews are completing the clean-up efforts from Tuesday’s semi-truck crash. Today’s eastbound closure is expected to last at least three hours.

The recommended alternate route takes travelers north, accessed at the town of Rifle, exit 87, then north along CO 13 to Craig. The route continues on US 40 to Steamboat, then south on CO 9 to Silverthorne where travelers may access I-70 again. Visit COtrip.org or download the COtrip Planner app for route details and closure updates.

Immediately following the crash on Tuesday, crews hauled away several dumpsters filled with damaged freight and crash material. The crashed truck and trailer were also hauled away, but additional clean-up and road sweeping of debris is needed today.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

9.19.24, 10:57 a.m. – Interstate 70 is closed at 11 a.m. at mile marker 116, Glenwood Springs, due to accident cleanup. There is no estimated time for reopening. Check COtrip for details. The Colorado Department of Transportation is noting that detour is in place I-70 eastbound at mile point 87 to direct traffic up CO-13, to US-40, and then to CO-9.

GarCo911: Interstate 70 reopened after accident cleanup

GarCo911 and CDOT: I-70 one lane open eastbound at Shoshone after accident; westbound open

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

9.17.24, 9:13 p.m. – I-70 eastbound is open at mile marker 116 Glenwood Springs, left lane only. Right lane remains closed at this time.

Colorado Department of Transportation

Commercial semi-truck crash closes eastbound lanes in Glenwood Canyon

Drivers urged to consider the northern alternate route via Highways 13, 40 and 9

Emergency crews respond to a commercial semi-truck tath crashed on I-70 about six miles east of Glenwood Springs at approximately 9:30 a.m. A closure remains in place for eastbound traffic.

A commercial semi-truck crashed on I-70 about six miles east of Glenwood Springs at approximately 9:30 a.m. A closure remains in place for eastbound traffic.

9.17.24, 12:50 p.m. – I-70 Mountain Corridor — Eastbound lanes of the I-70 Mountain Corridor in Glenwood Canyon are closed. It is not known when the eastbound lanes will open. Interstate travelers are advised to avoid the area and seek the northern alternate route for east-west travel. 

The northern alternate route can be accessed at the town of Rifle, exit 87, then north along CO 13 to Craig. The route continues on US 40 to Steamboat, then south on CO 9 to Silverthorne where travelers may access I-70 again. Visit COtrip.org for route details and closure updates. 

I-70 westbound traffic is being allowed through the crash area. CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol urge drivers to slow down and abide by the speed reduction being enforced in the area. 

The closure is due to a commercial semi-truck that crashed about six miles east of Glenwood Springs at approximately 9:30 a.m. The CMV was traveling in the westbound lanes of I-70 when it crashed through the guardrail and landed on the eastbound lanes of the lower deck. 

Emergency crews responded to a commercial semi-truck that crashed on I-70 about six miles east of Glenwood Springs at approximately 9:30 a.m. A closure remains in place for eastbound traffic. 

A commercial semi-truck crashed on I-70 about six miles east of Glenwood Springs at approximately 9:30 a.m. A closure remains in place for eastbound traffic.

A commercial semi-truck crashed on I-70 about six miles east of Glenwood Springs at approximately 9:30 a.m. A closure remains in place for eastbound traffic.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

September 17, 2024, 11:47 a.m. – Colorado Department of Transportation: Between Exit 116: Glenwood Springs/Aspen and Exit 133: Dotsero from Mile Point 116.6 to Mile Point 133. Road closed expect delays due to roadwork. Detour in place. See map for detour(s). Until today at about 11 p.m. MDT.

September 17, 2024, 11:41 a.m. – Interstate 70 remains closed at mile-marker 123, Shoshone Exit, due to an accident. The westbound lanes are now open.

September 17, 2024, 9:49 a.m. – Interstate 70 is closed at mile-markers 122-123 in both directions, Shoshone Exit area, due to an accident.

GarCo911 and CDOT: I-70 one lane open eastbound at Shoshone after accident; westbound open

GarCo911: Highway 82 reopened – one lane in both directions at Cattle Creek Road

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

9.13.24, 12:13 p.m. – Highway 82 is open at mile marker 8, one lane in both directions, Cattle Creek Road.

9.13.24, 9:17 a.m. – Highway 82 is closed at mile marker 8 in both directions, Cattle Creek Road, due to an accident.

GarCo911: Highway 82 reopened – one lane in both directions at Cattle Creek Road

GSPD: New alarming social media posts regarding schools

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Glenwood Springs Police Department

Glenwood Springs Police Department Alert, September 12, 2024, 9:01 a.m. – The Glenwood Springs Police Department has been made aware of new alarming social media posts regarding schools in valley and throughout the state/ country. At this time, we have not found any evidence to substantiate a credible threat to our schools or students. We will continue working with our local schools. There will be additional police presence in or around the schools to ensure the safety of the students and staff.

Alerta del Departamento de PolicĂ­a de Glenwood Springs, 12 de septiembre:

El Departamento de Policía de Glenwood Springs ha sido informado de nuevas publicaciones alarmantes en las redes sociales con respecto a las escuelas en el valle y en todo el estado/país. En este momento, no hemos encontrado ninguna evidencia que corrobore una amenaza creíble para nuestras escuelas o estudiantes. Continuaremos trabajando con nuestras escuelas locales. Habrá presencia policial adicional dentro o alrededor de las escuelas para garantizar la seguridad de los estudiantes y el personal.

GSPD: New alarming social media posts regarding schools

GSPD: Investigation of social media posts

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Glenwood Springs Police Department

Sept. 9, 2024, 8:16 a.m. – The Glenwood Springs Police Department has been made aware, via social media of alarming posts to schools in valley and throughout the state/ country. We have not found any evidence to substantiate a credible threat to our schools or students. GSPD as well as numerous departments throughout the state are working with our school districts and will have additional police presence in or around the schools.

El Departamento de Policía de Glenwood Springs ha sido informado, a través de las redes sociales, de publicaciones alarmantes en escuelas en el valle y en todo el estado/país. No hemos encontrado ninguna evidencia que corrobore una amenaza creíble para nuestras escuelas o estudiantes. GSPD, así como numerosos departamentos en todo el estado, están trabajando con nuestros distritos escolares y tendrán presencia policial adicional en o alrededor de las escuelas.

GSPD Facebook
Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Facebook

GSPD: Investigation of social media posts

BLM, GCSO cancel stage 1 fire restrictions on Aug. 23

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

August 22, 2024, 3 p.m. – The Garfield County Sheriff, BLM, and the seven fire districts in Garfield County are lifting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in all unincorporated areas of Garfield County effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2024.

The recent rainfall in our area, along with cooler weather, has allowed Stage I Restrictions to be lifted in Garfield County at all elevations. Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria, including the moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human “risk” factors, and firefighting resource availability.

Please exercise due diligence, be careful if you are building a campfire or partaking of any activity in an undeveloped area that might create sparks. There are still a lot of fuels and dry vegetation in Garfield County where a fire could ignite and quickly spread.

Common sense and caution are the rule of the day. Enjoy our great outdoors here in western Colorado, but do so carefully. Starting a wildfire would not only ruin your day, but could cost someone a life, the loss of a home or other personal property. Undoubtedly, there would be legal consequences if you were to start a fire.

Garfield County fire restrictions

Bureau of Land Management

AUGUST 22, 2024 – The Bureau of Land Management Upper Colorado River District is removing stage 1 fire restrictions for the Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley Field Offices effective 12:01 a.m. Friday. BLM fire managers, along with agency partners, evaluated current fire danger and predicted weather, and determined that conditions no longer meet the criteria for remaining in fire restrictions.

“We thank the public for their cooperation during fire restrictions this year,” said Acting Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Officer Lathan Johnson. “And we ask that they continue to be fire safe while they enjoy our public lands.”

Although reduced, the risk of wildfires remains.

“Even though we’ve had rain, the threat of fire still exists,” said Johnson. “We encourage our public land users to always use caution while working or recreating outdoors: don’t park in tall, dry grass; when leaving your campfire, put it out with water, stir, and make sure it is cold to the touch; and remember that fireworks are never allowed on public land.”

BLM fire managers will work with local agencies to monitor conditions and evaluate needs for further restrictions. Fire restriction rescission orders for the BLM Upper Colorado River Valley District are available on the district website.

BLM, GCSO cancel stage 1 fire restrictions on Aug. 23

National Weather Service: Flash flood warning for western Garfield County

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National Weather Service

August 5, 2024, 1:18 p.m. – The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Western Garfield County in west central Colorado until 4:15 p.m.

At 1:18 p.m. MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.3 to 0.6 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD … Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE … Radar.

IMPACT … Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, and highways as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include … mainly rural areas of Western Garfield County

This includes Colorado 139 between mile markers 27 and 31.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely.

Colorado 139 is prone to rockslides and mudslides in heavy rain. Stay alert for rocks and debris on roads, and avoid driving on flooded roads. Find an alternate route.

National Weather Service: Flash flood warning for western Garfield County