The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced a full overnight closure of US Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton, scheduled to begin at midnight on Tuesday, December 16. The closure will last until approximately 8 a.m. the same morning. According to CDOT, this closure is necessary to allow crews space for heavy equipment operations as they remove snow from the highway shoulder and clear ditches.
Starting December 12, CDOT will also conduct additional daytime snow removal and ditch clearing along US 550 between Purgatory Ski Area and Silverton, as well as CO 145 between Telluride and Rico. These maintenance activities are expected to continue through December 19. Motorists traveling these routes should anticipate up to 15-minute delays due to alternating traffic managed by flagging personnel.
During the overnight closure on December 16, northbound travelers will be stopped just north of Silverton at Mile Point 71, while southbound travelers will encounter closures just south of Ouray at Mile Point 92. CDOT urges drivers not to attempt bypassing the closure gates.
For ongoing maintenance work from December 12 to December 19 on US 550 south of Silverton and CO 145 south of Telluride, working hours are set from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Drivers can expect periodic full stops and alternating traffic with potential delays up to 15 minutes.
CDOT reminds motorists that traffic fines will be doubled in work zones. The department advises drivers to slow down when approaching work areas, drive cautiously, maintain extra space between vehicles, and allow additional travel time.
A map detailing the affected section of US Highway 550 during the overnight closure is available through CDOT’s Highway Closure Alert resources.
