CDOT continues mudslide cleanup in Poudre Canyon this week

Due to the July 16 mudslide caused by heavy rains in the High Park fire burn area, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be cleaning debris, including rocks, fallen trees and other muck from the areas surrounding Colorado Highway 14 near Stove Prairie Road.

For the remainder of this week, motorists will see CDOT maintenance crews on the sides of the road to the east and west of Stove Prairie Road near mile marker 104, as they will be cleaning up the more than 200 tons of debris that fell during yesterday’s rainstorm. Motorists are urged to reduce their speeds through the area and be sure to drive with care around the crews.

CDOT would like to remind motorists driving on state highways that with the recent wildfires throughout the state, the highways are at high risk for flooding, washouts, mudslides, and rocks/debris/trees being washed into the road.

Although CDOT crews are performing ongoing roadway safety checks, motorists are reminded to reduce speeds and use extra caution to ensure their safety, especially during and after rain storms. The increased moisture in the burned area will lead to a continuously changing condition of the highway, as debris will travel down hillsides faster than usual to the roadway below.

Drivers should call Colorado State Patrol (CSP) dispatch to report any damage to highways that threatens public safety at 303-239-4501.

Motorists are also reminded that while the damage to residences and businesses within the burn zones was devastating, so was the damage sustained to the land and wilderness area surrounding the highways. Wildlife will be on the move in greater abundance than usual and driers should be alert for wildlife crossing the roadway.