COLORADO SPRINGS – Dangerous driving due to blizzard conditions across southern Colorado forces the closure of roads, government offices, military installations and schools.
News5 will keep you updated all day as conditions change. Bottom line: Emergency personnel across the region are sending out the same message, “stay home.”
El Paso County Search and Rescue reported that it has had to rescue multiple stranded drivers using snowcats to get around.
Colorado Springs and Fountain are on accident alert. This means if you are in a non-injury crash that does not involve drugs or alcohol, move your vehicles off the road to exchange information with other drivers. Report the crash at a later date online.
Traffic conditions:
If you’re headed out the door this morning, the roads are snow covered and there is drifting snow due to high winds and blizzard conditions. It is dangerous in some spots this morning.
Colorado Springs, Fountain and Pueblo County are on accident alert status this morning.
I-25: SB I-25 is closed from Exit 94 (Pueblo Blvd in south Pueblo) to the New Mexico state line as part of a safety closure. CDOT has lifted the passenger vehicle traction law and commercial vehicle traction law put in place between Monument and Castle Rock. If you do see plows on the road, do not pass.
I-70: Interstate 70 is back open from Limon to the Kansas border. is closed from Aurora all the way to Colby, Kan. due to blowing snow and low visibility. Any travel east of Colorado should not be attempted today.
Highway 24: The highway is closed from Colorado Springs to Limon due to low visibility and snow-covered roads. Conditions are improving on Ute Pass, but there are still slick spots from Manitou Springs to Woodland Park.
Woodmen Road: The Black Forest Fire Department tweeted that Woodmen Road is shut down in both directions from Black Forest Road to Falcon. In that area, Falcon Highway is impassable from Peyton Highway to Murr Road. Crews are also rescuing stranded motorists along Judge Orr Road.
Highway 83: Highway 83 has reopened following an extended closure for much of Tuesday morning due to blizzard conditions. The highway was shut down from Colorado Springs to Franktown for hours.
Highway 94: Highway 94 is back open as of 12:35 p.m. It was closed for the entire morning east of Colorado Springs to Highway 287/40 due to low visibility and slick conditions.
Highway 71: The highway that runs from Ordway to Limon is closed.
Highway 115: Highway 115 is mostly clear from Colorado Springs to Penrose.
Highway 50: Highway 50 is mostly clear between Canon City and Pueblo. Blowing snow is still covering the road in a few spots. Conditions worsen east of the Steel City.
Highway 67 (Teller County): The highway is snow-covered between Divide and Cripple Creek. The passenger vehicle traction law is in effect between Mollie Kathleen Road and Cantiberry Road. The Commercial vehicle chain law is in effect between Divide and Cripple Creek.
Highway 67 (Fremont County): Highway 67 is closed from 7th Street in Florence to the high school entrance. Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports multiple vehicles are stuck on the hill.
Click here for our live traffic map
News5 Today has you covered this morning. Sam is tracking the storm and is collecting snow totals and viewer photos. Have one to share? Send an email to mypics@koaa.com.
Photo shows the snow drifts at her home in Calhan on Jan. 22, 2019. (Courtesy of Danielle Fox)
