DENVER — A mudslide triggered by flash flooding forced the closure of both directions of Interstate 70 in Garfield County on Monday evening, snarling traffic in the area.
The closure stretches from Silt (Mile Point 97) to New Castle (Mile Point 105), with no estimated reopening time.
Authorities said floodwaters pushed mud and debris onto the interstate near New Castle, though no injuries have been reported.
MORE ► Colorado Department of Transportation Traveler Information
Traffic is being diverted onto U.S. 6 and nearby frontage roads, but officials said those routes are also experiencing standing water and mud, creating hazardous driving conditions.
A portion of U.S. 6 from Silt to mile marker 103 was shut down later in the evening due to a mudslide. However, it's not clear whether the closure was due to a second slide.
Flooding has impacted other roads in the county.
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said flash flooding is impacting the Peach Valley area.
County Road 214 (Peach Valley Road) is completely flooded at the intersection with County Road 262 (Mid Valley Lane).
Both roads are closed due to swift-moving water and multiple logs in the roadway.
Officials are urging motorists to use extreme caution and avoid driving through flooded sections of roadway.
The corridor, especially through Glenwood Canyon, is no stranger to mudslides and interstate closures.
Several years ago, mudslides from the Grizzly Creek burn scar forced the Colorado Department of Transportation to close I-70 through the canyon on several occasions.
The slides would sometimes trap vehicles on the roadway, forcing drivers to wait for rescue.
It's unclear at this time if Monday's flooding was caused by a burn scar from a recent fire in the area.