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Dangerous weather prompts fire, avalanche and travel warnings, multiple I-70 closings Sunday

Updated at 5:32 p.m.

I-70 is restricted for multiple stretches westbound and eastbound. I-70 has shut down at different spots throughout the day. One closure occurred between exit 322 and 316 for traffic going both directions due to a crash. That has been lifted. A second closure due to weather conditions between Exit 190 to Vail Pass Summit occurred twice on Sunday and was still in affect at press time. Expect delays and potential new closures or restrictions.

I-70 Vail Pass is set to close to traffic in both directions at 9 a.m. Monday morning. CDOT says the closure is for avalanche mitigation and will close for about an hour.

I-25 has seen multiple delays and closures due to accidents, high winds, dust and fires throughout Sunday, including a northbound shutdown due to fire activity between exit 23 and 27.

There are multiple road closures, chain restrictions, weight restrictions and width restrictions on roads around the state.

In High Country, expect ice and snowpack with some highways requiring chains to pass through, including I-70. Storm watches are in affect throughout the mountains. Multiple county roads and highways have temporarily closed throughout the day due to weather conditions, including 30 to 40 mph snow squalls. Conditions are still slippery, snowy and windy. Take caution. Expect delays.

In southeastern Colorado, there are high wind warnings and fire warnings from Colorado Springs all the way to the Kansas and New Mexico borders. The gusts and dry conditions are causing extremely low visibility on roads due to dust storms. Expect delays due to accidents, fires and dust. Multiple roadways have temporarily shut down throughout the day, including I-25.

Fire warnings in the southeast, avalanche warnings in the mountains

The entire range of the Colorado weather spectrum has been seen across the state over the Christmas weekend.

Grand Junction and Mesa County saw ice — a lot of ice — on Christmas Eve. Officials are telling residents to check road and sidewalk conditions before venturing outside.

High Country is experiencing dangerous avalanche conditions thanks to a windy storm on Sunday. According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, an Avalanche Warning is in effect for the Steamboat & Flat Tops, Front Range, Vail & Summit County, Aspen, Sawatch Range, Gunnison, North and South San Juan Mountains zones. A backcountry skier was killed in an avalanche on Friday.

"Heavy snow and strong winds have created very dangerous avalanche conditions this weekend. Expect natural and human-triggered wide-breaking avalanches that will run long distances. You can trigger ones large enough to bury you, even from flat areas and low-angled slopes below or adjacent to steeper slopes. Travel in backcountry avalanche terrain is not recommended," the warning said.

Meanwhile, southeastern Colorado will see dangerous fire conditions that will persist until Sunday afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning will be in affect from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, and Baca counties. This means dry and windy conditions make it more likely for fires to ignite and spread quickly. The weather service says people show avoid any outdoor activities that involve flammable elements such as camp fires or smoking.

A Red Flag Warning also went into affect in the northeastern region of the state. Starting at 2 p.m. (and lasting until 10 p.m.) Sunday, dry air and wind conditions prompted a warning of potentially hazardous fire conditions.

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What we know about Colorado wind: When wind will stop, hot spots, flights and how to prepare

Editor's note : This story on a high wind warning Wednesday for Colorado has been made free to read due to public safety concerns. Please support the Coloradoan's work on stories like this by subscribing .

A peak wind gust of 87 mph just east of Steamboat Springs and snow squall warnings for the mountains before 6 a.m. are signs that one of Colorado's largest wind storms in recent years is bearing down on the Front Range.

If you have not prepared for the system that is forecast to bring damaging winds of 60 to 80 mph for many foothills and Eastern Plains locations and as high or higher than 100 mph for certain foothills areas, now would be the time.

Below are Wednesday's updates on the wind and its impacts. Find updates from Thursday in this story rounding up the wind storm's gust speeds as well as its impacts in Larimer County.  

IN OTHER NEWS: A pedestrian bridge in Windsor has become quite polarizing

Five I-25 semi rollovers attributed to high wind

Colorado State Patrol confirmed Wednesday evening that at least five semi truck rollovers between noon and 4 p.m. along Interstate 25 and two on U.S. Highway 287 between the Wyoming border and Fort Collins were "likely" due to the high winds.

Almost all of the I-25 crashes m occurred around the Wellington area or further north, a notoriously windy area even on calmer days.

Power out for some Xcel customers in Fort Collins

About 1,300 Xcel Energy customers in northwest Fort Collins were without power after a wind snapped a power pole in the area of Mulberry Street between Overland Trail and Taft Hill Road.

Power went out about 12:19 p.m. Wednesday, according to Xcel's electric power outage map .

Xcel turned off power for the line and are working to restore power. As of 2:45 p.m., only 33 customers were without power due to the outage.

Poudre Fire Authority crews responded but have since cleared the scene.

Wind gusts reach up to 95 mph in Colorado foothills

Wind gusts from Wednesday's storm have reached up to 95 mph in Colorado's foothills so far, the National Weather Service in Boulder tweeted over the lunch hour. In Loveland, a gust of 79 mph was recorded, according to the tweet:

The data shared by the weather service was valid as of 11:36 a.m. Wednesday, it noted. 

- Sarah Curtis

Mobile COVID vaccine buses canceled due to high winds

Mobile COVID-19 vaccination buses scheduled to be at Tavelli Elementary School and Olander Elementary School in Fort Collins and Bill Reed Middle Elementary School in Loveland on Wednesday were canceled due to the weather, the state announced.

Poudre School District and Thompson School District have been partnering with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to host a number of mobile vaccine clinics before the end of the year. The clinics take place completely outside of the schools in mobile vaccination buses, and they are open to the general public in addition to students and their families. 

Poudre School District didn’t have any cancellations or adjustments to its regular school schedule because of the weather warnings, as of noon Wednesday.

Spokesperson Madeline Noblett said that the district's transportation department keeps a “close eye” on weather and road conditions, and families will hear from transportation if there is a road closure due to the wind that will impact a bus route or cause delays.

- Sarah Kyle and Molly Bohannon

More: Larimer County school districts host year-end COVID vaccine clinics for students, community

How to get information about power outages in Fort Collins, Northern Colorado

Just before 11 a.m. Poudre Valley REA tweeted that they were experiencing outages due to windy conditions in the mountain territories.  "Over 5,000 members are currently out, mostly due to a fault with transmission lines feeding the area," according to the tweet.

By early afternoon, PVREA reported less than 800 members without power across their service territory, saying Bellvue area members had power restored.

For updated information, check Poudre Valley REA's Twitter page,  @PoudreValleyREA ; Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PoudreValleyREA ; or website,  pvrea.coop/outages . Poudre Valley REA members can get alerts via text or email about power outages or report outages through  PVREA's free app .

After hours and during widespread outage situations, Poudre Valley REA will activate its call center, which allows the center to take hundreds of member calls during a large outage.

For Xcel Energy Colorado updates, visit its Twitter page,  @XcelEnergeyCO ; Facebook page,  www.facebook.com/XcelEnergyCO ; or website,  co.my.xcelenergy.com .

- Miles Blumhardt

When will the wind stop?

The system is still on track to strike the foothills and Front Range urban corridor starting around 8 a.m. Radar showed the leading edge of the fast-moving system near Glenwood Springs around 5 a.m.

The National Weather Service in Boulder issued a snow squall warning for the Breckenridge, Keystone and Frisco area until 7 a.m.

A high wind warning and red flag warning cover much of the foothills, Front Range and Eastern Plains from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Peak gusts are predicted for late morning into the afternoon, with the wind largely moving out of the area by late afternoon.

Where will the worst winds be?

High resolution images show winds in excess of 100 mph in the foothills from the west Denver metro area north to Boulder and Fort Collins, with the timing of those winds in early afternoon.

DIA flight cancellations, delays

As of 3 p.m., Denver International Airport had 485 flight delays and 145 cancellations. according to  https://flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today/KDEN .

Check with your airline before your flight today.

AIRPORT NEWS: Avelo Airlines CEO sees sure bet in new flights from Northern Colorado airport to Las Vegas

How to prepare

If you don't secure your candy canes in the front yard, they may end up in Kansas. Here are ways to prepare:

Travel and outdoor activities are not recommended.

High-profile vehicles should avoid travel at the height of the wind.

Do not ignite any flames outdoors because of strong winds and low humidity.

Prepare for possible power outages.

Secure or move inside outdoor objects, such as patio furniture and Christmas displays.

Avoid parking near trees if possible.

If outside, be aware of blowing objects and falling tree limbs. If inside, avoid windows.

If caught in a brown-out from blowing dust, drivers are encouraged to pull off the road as far as possible, put your vehicle in park and turn all your lights off.

Colorado's biggest winds

The highest wind speed officially reported in Colorado is 148 mph in February of 2016 on Monarch Pass.

Here are top wind speeds at three cities:

Fort Collins

84 mph: Dec. 30, 2008

77 mph: Nov. 18, 2015

72 mph: April, 8, 1999

70 mph: Nov. 2, 2018

Note: Christman Field, northwest side of Fort Collins. Station in place since 1997

97 mph: June 18, 2013 (tornado)

96 mph: Oct. 20, 1878

80 mph: March 13, 2019 (blizzard)

78 mph: May 6, 2020 (thunderstorm)

75 mph: Aug. 6, 1877 (thunderstorm)

147 mph: Jan. 23, 1971

143 mph: Jan. 24, 1992

137 mph: Jan. 16-17, 1982

131 mph: Sept. 24, 1986

130 mph: Jan. 7-8, 1969

This story will be updated throughout the day.

Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. 

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Welcome to Colorado Springs

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The Pikes Peak Region offers more than 55 area attractions , including trains, museums, parks, a zoo and more. You’ll find no shortage of things to do in our region, where the adventures range from mild to wild!

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Colorado Springs Warnings and Dangers

Colorado Springs is a beautiful city in the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. While its scenery is idyllic, the city and the surrounding landscape can be hazardous if you’re not careful.

Altitude Sickness

Colorado Springs is more than 6,000 feet above sea level. As a result, the air is thin and many tourists, especially those who haven’t spent much time in the mountains, may experience altitude sickness. Symptoms include migraines, dizziness, and fatigue.

Of you visit the city in the winter months, be prepared for snow. Locals are used to the weather, so they’ll continue to drive aggressively, especially during rush hour. Make sure your vehicle is equipped to handle icy roads, especially if you plan on driving in the mountains. Before you head to Colorado Springs, check the forecast and make sure it’s safe to visit. Snow is common, but the city does a great job clearing the streets and covering the roads with sand to make them as safe as possible. In the spring, summer, and fall, watch out for thunderstorms. The weather can change rapidly, so don’t take a risk on a long hike if the clouds look ominous.

Hazardous Hikes

Tourists from around the world come to Colorado Springs to hike and the Garden of the Gods is a particularly popular hiking spot. While this area and others around the city are relatively safe, always be on the watch for falling rocks, unstable trails, and wildlife. Rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and bears are rarely an issue, but they do call the mountains home, so be careful and use good judgment. Also, bring plenty of water, a map, your cell phone, and snacks on all of your hikes.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Colorado Springs. 

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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Travel Advisory

Information regarding travel restrictions, entry requirements, weather advisories, and other factors that may affect your travel plans.

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Friday's record temperatures set the stage for a hot weekend

Tonight's Forecast: The heat advisory will expire at 8 pm, and temperatures will gradually fall overnight. Our dry air will allow temperatures to cool down to comfortable 50s and 60s by early Saturday morning. But, overnight lows will still be about 5-10 degrees above average.

Weekend Heat: A heat advisory is in effect from 10 am until 8 pm, both Saturday and Sunday. Heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke will be a concern during the heat of the day.

Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 68; High: 99; HEAT ADVISORY from 10 am until 8 pm on Saturday. The record high for July 13th in Colorado Springs is 100, we will be close! It will be mostly sunny with NNE wind at 5-10 mph.

Pueblo forecast: Low: 65; High: 105; HEAT ADVISORY from 10 am until 8 pm on Saturday. The record for Saturday is 109, so we may not beat that record in Pueblo this year. It will be mostly sunny with E wind at 5-10 mph.

Canon City forecast: Low: 67; High: 102; HEAT ADVISORY from 10 am until 8 pm on Saturday. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy and hot on Saturday. Winds will be from the E at 5-10 mph.

Woodland Park forecast: Low: 57; High: 89; Very warm on Saturday with a low chance of an afternoon storm. Winds will be from the N at 5-10 mph.

Tri-Lakes forecast: Low: 62; High: 94; HEAT ADVISORY from 10 am until 8 pm on Saturday. It will be toasty again on Saturday with mostly sunny conditions and light winds.

Plains forecast: Low: 60s/70s; High: 100s; HEAT ADVISORY from 10 am until 8 pm on Saturday. Find ways to cool down on Saturday, the plains will range from 100-107. Stay hydrated!

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: Low: 64/65; High: 95/95; Mostly sunny and very warm on Saturday. Winds will be light from the ENE at 5-10 mph.

Mountains forecast: Low: 50s; High: 80s/90s; The mountain valleys will also be unusually warm with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. There is a low chance of a spot shower in the afternoon or at least a few clouds to provide shade.

Extended outlook forecast: Once again, very hot on Sunday with heat advisories in place once again. Monday will still be very hot, but a couple of degrees cooler with a slightly better chance of an afternoon thunderstorm to cool us down. Moisture will increase quite a bit by Tuesday and stick around through the end of the week. Temperatures will fall and thunderstorm chances will increase Tuesday through Thursday. ____

Curious about the First Alert 5 Weather Storm Impact Scale? Check out our cheatsheet explainer.

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The vast majority of flight delays and cancellations are weather related. Conditions like precipitation, wind, and fog greatly affect how safe and enjoyable flying can be. If your current location or your intended destination is experiencing bad weather, be sure to check with your airline for any delays or cancellations before heading to the airport.

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Watch CBS News

Heat advisory goes into effect in Colorado, 100 degree temperatures expected in Denver

By Callie Zanandrie

July 12, 2024 / 10:05 AM MDT / CBS Colorado

A heat advisory went into place in Colorado at 10 a.m. on Friday. It includes the entire Denver metro area through Boulder, Fort Collins and Greeley. Highs of 100 degrees are expected.  

It also includes Colorado Springs and Pueblo in southern Colorado and parts of the western slope. The hottest temperatures statewide will be out west and could reach 110 degrees on Friday.

The heat wave is sticking around through the weekend. Similar record setting temperature readings are projected on Saturday and Sunday.

As a result of the dangerous high temperatures, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are all First Alert Weather Days. Monday is expected to be very hot as well.

Why is it so hot, and why is it lasting so long?

Many people are probably wondering why it's so hot. The extreme temperatures are due to a ridge of high pressure that is slowly creeping to the east and that will make its way to the Front Range over the Rocky Mountains on Saturday. It's just going to stay parked over the state for a multi-day period, which is unusual.

Some people also might be asking why it will take so long to get relief from the heat. Normally a cold front will bump high pressure out of place, but that isn't expected until Tuesday. On Tuesday high temperatures will be in the 80s.

Tips to help you stay cool  

It's important to try to avoid heatstroke with such hot temperatures. You want to make sure to stay inside during the hottest part of the day, if possible. That will be noon through 6 p.m.

Staying hydrated is also key. That process should start the night before you are in hot weather.

People who are outside should try to limit strenuous activities and take as many breaks as possible.

Callie Zanandrie provides the latest forecast from the First Alert Weather Center for CBS News Colorado. Read her bio & send her an email .

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Traffic will switch onto new US 550 lanes, Grandview interchange July 14

Travel advisory.

La Plata County  - The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Lawrence Construction will open the new US Highway 550 alignment to traffic on Sunday, July 14. On that day, all north and southbound traffic will be shifted onto the new four-lane divided highway between County Road 302 and the US 160 and US 550 Grandview interchange, east of Durango.

“The commute to and from Durango will be a bit of a change for motorists, especially those who would normally take Farmington Hill,” Regional Transportation Director Julie Constan said. “As motorists learn to navigate the new interchange alignment, we urge them to allow adequate travel time, slow down and pay attention to signage.”

Motorists will be traveling on the brand new roadway of two 12-foot-wide travel lanes and over two new bridges located south of the interchange. Roundabouts are located on either side of the Grandview bridge; including the existing Wilson Gulch roundabout to the north and the new Grandview roundabout to the south.

This traffic switch will involve the closing of the existing route of “Farmington Hill,” sending motorists instead through the Grandview interchange. Soon after, the signal at the Farmington Hill intersection will be removed and the old highway will be removed and re-vegetated.

Traffic Switch Impacts

Beginning at 7 a.m. on Sunday, July 14, motorists will encounter the following travel impacts and traffic pattern changes:

• Expect traffic slowing with flagging crews as barrels are moved throughout the day to accommodate the mobile operation of shifting lanes and removing striping to accommodate the traffic shift north of CR 302. Intermittent stops will occur as well
• The existing US 550 alignment of Farmington Hill will be closed; motorists will continue on the new northbound lanes to the new Grandview roundabout and into the Grandview interchange
• Follow signs to continue east or west on US 160, or onto Wilson Gulch Road to the hospital or Three Springs community
• Farmington Hill will be closed and the traffic signal inactive
• Eastbound motorists will continue east past the old Farmington Hill signal and use the off-ramp onto the interchange, travel through the new roundabouts, then south on US 550
• Westbound motorists will need to be in the right lane and be prepared to take the off-ramp, west of Three Springs Boulevard, to access the interchange, travel through the new roundabouts, then south on US 550
• The only change these travelers will notice is the signal at the base of Farmington Hill will be inactive (and eventually removed)

Navigating the new configuration

• Take it slow. The speed limit will remain lowered to 40 mph while the switch is underway, which will include several follow-up days of restriping and traffic shifts
• The lowered speed limit will remain in place until the project is completed later this summer

Discover detailed maps of the interchange routes

The following detailed maps of interchange routes can be accessed by emailing [email protected] :

• New Mexico to Durango (westbound)
• New Mexico to Bayfield (eastbound)
• Durango to New Mexico (southbound)
• Bayfield to New Mexico (southbound)
• Three Springs to New Mexico (southbound)
• Three Springs to Bayfield (eastbound)
• Three Springs to Durango (westbound)

Roundabout Reminders

There is a roundabout on either side of the Grandview interchange: the existing Wilson Gulch roundabout to the north and the new Grandview roundabout to the south.

• Approach the roundabout and stop/slow before you enter
• Traffic moves counterclockwise. Right turns only entering and exiting a roundabout
• Choose your lane
• Enter the roundabout, yielding to traffic from the left and take it slow (the speed limit is 25 mph)
• Signal your intended exit, as you would at any other roadway intersection (while signaling in roundabouts is not law in Colorado, it is recommended, and also courteous)
• Use signs and pavement markings to help guide you
• If you miss your exit, simply drive through the roundabout again
• Visit the project website at www.codot.gov/projects/us550-us160-connectionsouth for a video on roundabout travel

Project Contact Information

For additional information about this project:

• Call the project information line at 970-880-2800
• Email the project team at: [email protected]
• Visit the project website at: www.codot.gov/projects/us550-us160-connectionsouth
• For general travel impact updates for this and other CDOT projects: www.cotrip.org

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts, anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions before hitting the road. CDOT and other resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information website: COtrip.org
• Chain and traction law information: codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube
• Weather forecasts: www.weather.gov
• Check avalanche conditions at CAIC: www.avalanche.state.co.us

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the   Google Play Store   (Android devices) or the   Apple Store   (iOS devices) to download!