Update: Loveland Pass reopens to traffic Sunday after avalanche sweeps over highway, traps vehicle on Friday, Feb. 14
Loveland Pass may remain closed throughout Saturday, Colorado State Patrol says
Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information on Loveland Pass being reopened on Sunday, Feb. 16.
An avalanche swept over U.S. Highway 6 over Loveland Pass on Friday, Feb. 14 around 7:30 p.m., according to a social media post by the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office. The avalanche occurred at the Seven Sisters slide area near Loveland Ski Area, caused U.S. Highway 6 to close in both directions and trapped one vehicle, according to the post.
Agencies including Alpine Rescue, Summit Search and Rescue, Clear Creek Fire, Clear Creek EMS, Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Department of Transportation responded to the scene alongside the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, the post states. Crews were initially unable to access the scene due to a high risk of additional slides. Responders used a drone to determine that one vehicle was caught by the avalanche, identified the driver using the vehicle’s license plate and were able to determine that the driver was not with the trapped vehicle and was safe.
In a final update around 11 p.m., the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office stated that emergency responders were clearing the scene and that U.S. Highway 6 remained closed. U.S. Highway 6 over Loveland Pass remained closed in both directions on Saturday due to safety concerns, according to CoTrip.org.
According to Colorado State Patrol trooper Sherri Mendez, the Colorado Department of Transportation advised for Loveland Pass to remain closed for most, if not all of Saturday, Feb. 15. U.S. Highway 6 over Loveland Pass reopened on Sunday, Feb. 16, according to a 1:03 p.m. CoTrip.org update. The Summit Daily News reached out to the Colorado State Patrol for further updates on the status of the highway Sunday but did not receive an immediate response.
The road remained closed throughout Saturday into Sunday to allow the Colorado Department of Transportation to complete maintenance operations and clearing the road of avalanche debris, according to Colorado State Patrol.
For up-to-date road conditions, visit CoTrip.org.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
As a Summit Daily News reader, you make our work possible.
Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.