U.S. 550 was closed in both directions Wednesday morning after a boulder crashed onto the highway near Ouray overnight, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The highway is closed over Red Mountain Pass, between Shrine Road near Silverton and Amphiteatre Road near Ouray, according to CDOT.
A photo from CDOT officials shows the boulder, which is taller than the bed of a pickup truck, blocking both lanes of the two-lane highway.
Crews will need to break the boulder up and downsize it to remove it from the highway, CDOT officials said on Facebook.
The work began at dawn, but it’s unknown when the highway will reopen.
Travelers should avoid the area and can take an alternate route on Colorado 145 through Telluride.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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