As of Sunday afternoon, Red Mountain Pass has reopened after the most recent snowstorm closed the highway between Silverton and Ouray after an avalanche covered about 200 feet of U.S. Highway 550.
The Colorado Department of Transportation sent a notice out at 12:30 p.m. notifying of the reopening of several mountain passes, which included Cumbres Pass on Colorado Highway 17 in the southern San Luis Valley.
“The pass which links Silverton and Ouray had been closed because of snowslide and avalanche danger since Friday night,” the news release said. “Crews were able to complete avalanche mitigation operations (Sunday) morning with favorable weather conditions.”
As of Sunday morning, chains or alternative traction devices were still required for all commercial vehicle traveling over Red Mountain, Coal Bank and Molas passes. Passenger vehicles are required to have snow tires, use chains or have four-wheel drive.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
