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CDOT Continues Debris Removal and Slope Assessment After 20-Foot Rock Slide on Loveland Pass
Description: Stage One of Loveland Pass Landslide Cleanup Nears Completion; Pass Remains Closed - Stage One of Loveland Pass Landslide Cleanup Nears Completion; Pass Remains Closed... Photo Courtesy of CDOT.
Stage one of Loveland Pass (US 6) clean-up operation nearly complete
Loveland Pass (US 6) remains closed
Clear Creek County — The Colorado Department of Transportation is nearing completion of the first phase in a two-stage cleanup operation on Loveland Pass (US 6), which began after a weekend landslide left the roadway buried under up to 20 feet of mud and silt. As of Tuesday, June 17, around 2 p.m. approximately 85% of debris removal in the travel lanes has been completed. Crews, supported by more than seven tandem dump trucks, continue with heightened safety precautions due to the unstable slope above the highway.
Once all debris is removed, CDOT engineering teams will begin phase two—assessing slope stability and completing any final cleanup before the road can be safely reopened to traffic. While crews are working diligently to clear the slide, there is no estimated timeline for when Loveland Pass will reopen. The pass will remain closed until the roadway is deemed safe. Motorists, hikers, and cyclists are urged to stay clear of the area until the clean-up is complete.
The Loveland Pass landslide occurred at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 15, at Mile Point 226 in an area known as Scottys Curves. The slide was caused by material above the roadway becoming saturated from melting snow and sliding onto the road. Initial reports indicated that the debris was approximately 100 feet wide and 15 to 20 feet deep. While there is a history of partial slides in the area, with a similar event occurring in 2003, the area had stabilized and shown no further movement in the past 22 years.
Hazmat vehicle escorts through Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels
Due to the closure of Loveland Pass, CDOT is escorting trucks carrying hazardous materials through the I-70 Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels (EJMT) at the top of each hour. During these times, traffic will be temporarily halted to allow Hazmat vehicles to pass through. While Hazmat vehicles are generally prohibited from using the EJMT due to safety concerns, they are being escorted through the tunnel during the closure of Loveland Pass.
