Law enforcement urges caution on slick roads during a flood of accident and road closure reports Saturday.
About eight vehicles piled up Saturday morning on U.S. Highway 160 at County Road 222. The highway will be closed for several hours in both directions, said Cpl. Ivan Alvarado, spokesman for Colorado State Patrol.
One person was trapped, but CSP did not have further information about the extent of injuries.
State patrol also closed U.S. 491 in Montezuma County because of a vehicle pileup in Utah, Alvarado said.
“It is the winter. We need to take the time to slow down, make sure that our tires are what’s required for the snow and just be patient,” Alvarado said.
In Durango, Fort Lewis Police Department announced East Eighth Avenue, the front hill to FLC, was closed because of deteriorating road conditions.
Multiple accidents were reported throughout the region, including along Highway 160 east of Durango, from Farmington Hill to the Florida River, according to Durango Fire Rescue.
Durango Police Department said there was one minor vehicle accident in town around noon Saturday.
“I would suggest that people stay home unless they have to be out,” said Durango Sgt. Will Sweetwood.
The Colorado Department of Transportation CO Trip map showed snowy and icy conditions along Highway 160 and U.S. Highway 550 in La Plata County.
CDOT announced chain and traction laws in effect for Coal Bank, Molas, Red Mountain and Wolf Creek passes.
CDOT spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes urged people to know before you go.
“Everyone has a different level of comfort for driving in snowy conditions. If you can hold off on your travel plans ... we would encourage that,” she said.
The National Weather Service said a winter weather advisory will be in effect for lower elevations in La Plata County until 8 p.m.
An advisory is in effect for the San Juan Mountains until 5 a.m. Sunday.
“Overall, the snowfall rates are expected to enhance this afternoon into early evening,” said Matthew Aleksa, meteorologist. “Precipitation will come to an end late this evening toward midnight.”
Lower elevations could see 2 to 4 inches of snow, the higher foothills might receive 5 to 6 inches, and the San Juan Mountains could get 5 to 10 inches of snow.
“We’ll have periods of light snow and periods of moderate to heavy snow,” Aleksa said. “Any time you’re in heavy snow, it can impact visibility and road conditions.”
smullane@durangoherald.com
