US 160 Wolf Creek Pass opened to travel Tuesday afternoon

Travel Advisory

Oct. 27, 2026 - Southwestern Colorado - Motorists will encounter 24/7 delays at two locations between Pagosa Springs and South Fork
US 160 lined with traffic cones going up into the horizon beside surging waters in Rio Grande River.
CDOT Photo | US 160 was opened Tuesday afternoon to single-lane alternating traffic between South Fork and Pagosa Springs. Motorists are urged to use caution and slow down for their safety and the safety of crews repairing flood damaged areas close to the travel lanes.

Southwest and South-Central Colorado - The Colorado Department of Transportation opened US Highway 160 between Pagosa Springs and South Fork to travel in both directions on Tuesday, October 27 at 3:30 p.m. Although the highway has been cleared for travel, motorists should be prepared for 24/7 delays and single lane alternating traffic at multiple locations along the route where damaged segments of roadway are being repaired. Crews will work swiftly to rehabilitate and stabilize the travel lanes before winter conditions set in.

CDOT warns travelers to plan ahead and allow for up to an hour of additional travel time to reach destinations beyond US 160 Wolf Creek Pass. Motorists are urged to slow down and use caution through work zones with narrow and reduced travel lanes. Keep your full attention on the roadway for your safety and the safety of workers operating close to live traffic.

All operations are weather-dependent and subject to schedule adjustments. Real-time road conditions, traffic updates and construction impacts are available on COtrip.org or on the COtrip Planner app.

Travel Impacts

  • Pagosa Springs to Treasure Falls (Mile Point 150): Work to permanently repair a damaged culvert and sinkhole in the southbound lanes is underway approximately six miles east of Pagosa Springs. Motorists will be guided by temporary traffic signals and signage. Plan for 24/7 single-lane alternating traffic, full stops and up to 20 minute delays. This segment of highway was opened to local traffic just before 5 p.m. on Monday evening.
  • Wolf Creek Summit to South Fork (MP 176 to 180): Extensive flooding of Rio Grande River headwaters has caused shoulder damage and undercutting at multiple locations. Plan for 24/7 single-lane alternating traffic guided by temporary signals and flagging personnel, approximately six miles west of South Fork, locally known as The Narrows. Intermittent 20-minute traffic holds in both directions will be necessary to protect motorists while material and heavy equipment are being delivered to the repair locations.

An additional work zone on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass (MP 161) will have minimal impacts to travel. Work will take place beside the highway to repair a retaining wall near the Wolf Creek Valley Scenic Overlook where torrential rains and heavy runoff have caused damage to the structure that supports the highway. Plan for reduced travel lanes and shoulder closures along this work zone.

US 160 Wolf Creek Pass has been fully closed to travel since Thursday evening when significant rains prompted safety closures along several highways in southwest and south-central Colorado. Once flood waters subsided CDOT maintenance, hydrologists and engineers were able to safely inspect the highway and have been working 24/7 to stabilize segments that sustained damage making way for permanent repairs.

US 160 with surging Rio Grande River beside it.
CDOT Photo | At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, surging flood waters from the south fork of the Rio Grande River along US 160 Wolf Creek Pass prompted a highway safety closure, seven miles west of South Fork in an area locally known as The Narrows.

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!