Interstate 70 between Glenwood Springs and Dotsero through Glenwood Canyon closed for nearly three hours Wednesday evening following a mudslide.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the slide took place just east of Glenwood Springs between Grizzly Creek and No Name exits at 5 p.m. Wednesday. This portion of I-70 was closed until 8:52 p.m.

The slide is mostly water with some mud and debris. Material was on eastbound and westbound traffic, a CDOT news release states.

“Crews immediately began clearing the slide with pre-positioned equipment and are making good progress on clearing the roadway,” the release states. “When crews arrived on scene, the deepest part of the slide was 1.5 feet against the roadway barrier.”

The slide came just after a Flash Flood Watch was issued at approximately 4:40 p.m. Wednesday.

“This is a location that has had slides in the past,” CDOT spokesperson Elise Thatcher said during a Wednesday evening press conference.

CDOT Communications Director Matthew Inzeo said no injuries or trapped vehicles are reported.

History

Mudslides in July 2021 prompted an extended safety closure for I-70 for approximately two weeks. Very little flooding took place in Glenwood Canyon in 2022, affecting only the recreational trail. CDOT has conducted extensive rockfall and debris flows prevention work in Glenwood Canyon. Crews will periodically conduct rockfall removal and related work in the canyon.