A presumed chain-reaction pileup near the Grizzly Creek Rest Area in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 resulted in an extended closure of the highway through Glenwood Canyon on Wednesday afternoon.

In total, 17 passenger vehicles and seven semitrucks were involved in the pileup around 2:30 p.m.

Of those, 15 of the passenger cars and three semitrucks were left disabled. Eight people were hospitalized, one with moderate but not life-threatening injuries, Colorado State Patrol Master Trooper Gary Cutler said.

“I talked to the trooper on site, and he said the roads were snow-packed and slick, so that is a causal factor,” Cutler said.

No citations were issued, and an exact cause of the accident has not been determined, Cutler said.

The collision was contained to eastbound lanes, but westbound was also closed to allow access for emergency vehicles.

I-70 reopened shortly before 6 p.m.

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UPDATE, Wednesday 5:45 p.m. – Both directions of Interstate 70 reopened following a roughly three-hour closure from a 24-vehicle pileup Wednesday afternoon.

A total of 17 passenger vehicles and seven semitrucks were involved in the crash, which happened around 2:30 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 120, according to Colorado State Patrol Master Trooper Gary Cutler. Westbound closed to enable access for emergency vehicles.

Eight people were taken to the hospital

At least 15 passenger vehicles and three semis were disabled. Four injuries were reported.

#BREAKING I-70 in BOTH directions is CLOSED through the Glenwood Canyon due to a multi-car crash with injuries. Initial reports of 17 passenger cars and 7 semi's involved at I-70 MP 120 EB. Expect this to be an extended closure. #COtraffic – 4C10 pic.twitter.com/nw7an61crf

— CSP Eagle (@CSP_Eagle) December 29, 2021

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office issued a reminder via Facebook that nearby passes, including Cottonwood and Independence, are closed for the season.