Snow conditions call for critical maintenance operations on US 550 Red Mountain Pass

Travel Advisory

Dec. 5, 2025 - Southwestern Colorado - Motorists should plan for lengthy morning delays on Saturday, Dec. 6 and Tuesday, Dec. 9
Snow operations on US 550 Red Mountain Pass. Signage for Mile Point 78 is in the foreground.
CDOT Archive Photo (March 2023): Higher elevations require higher levels of precaution and heavy equipment to manage winter conditions. Each year, US 550 Red Mountain Pass requires planned closures that allow maintenance operators the space they need to safely mitigate potential highway hazards. Both planned maintenance closures and critical safety closures are updated in real-time on COtrip.org.

Southwest Colorado — US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass between Silverton and Ouray will close to travel on Saturday, Dec. 6 and Tuesday, Dec. 9 while the Colorado Department of Transportation performs safety-critical winter maintenance operations. Saturday morning's operations are anticipated to have minor traffic impacts with delays beginning at 8 a.m. between Mile Points 80 and 81. Tuesday's favorable weather forecast will allow for maintenance crews to perform more extensive operations along the southern summit of Red Mountain Pass (MP 75 to 79). On Dec. 9 at 10 a.m., US 550 will fully close in both directions and motorists will be stopped for approximately four hours. Motorists should plan ahead, allow for extra travel time, or arrive and drive through the closure points before the designated closure times.

Parking and recreating is prohibited between the closure points during winter maintenance operations. Backcountry users must move their vehicles and vacate the area before the scheduled closure times.

Travelers should also be aware that during the winter season, snow conditions may require additional maintenance work and safety closures at any time on many southwest Colorado highways. Visit COtrip.org for the most current closure times and traffic impacts.

Closure Schedule | Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 a.m.
Lengthy delays on US 550 Red Mountain Pass will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning.

  • Northbound travelers will encounter a closure approximately 10 miles north of Silverton (Mile Point 80.9)
  • Southbound travelers will encounter a closure approximately 12 miles south of Ouray (Mile Point 81.5)
  • Motorists will encounter lengthy delays up to 40 minutes for much of the morning

Closure Schedule | Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m.
US 550 Red Mountain Pass closure begins Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. and is estimated to open by 2 p.m., depending on successful operations.

  • Northbound travelers will encounter a closure approximately five miles north of Silverton near Ophir Pass Road (Mile Point 75.2)
  • Southbound travelers will encounter a closure approximately 14 miles south of Ouray between Ironton and Chattanooga Mine (Mile Point 79.2)
  • Do not attempt to bypass the closure gates

Motorists may consider an alternate route via CO 145 through Lizard Head Pass. This westerly route will add approximately one hour of additional driving time, taking approximately three hours to travel between Durango and Ridgway (approximately 150 miles).

  • US 160 Durango to Mancos
  • CO 184 Mancos to Dolores
  • CO 145 Dolores to Placerville
  • CO 62 Placerville to Ridgway

Know Before You Go

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

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!