CO 7 (Lower) Lyons to Raymond

Damage Description

CDOT is moving forward on rapid repairs to State Highway 7 between Lyons and Raymond on the way to Estes Park. Damage sustained during the flooding includes areas where the roadway is completely washed out, heavy debris is on and surrounding the highway, and there is damage to embankment and culverts.

Repairs Underway

Construction is underway between mile post (MP) 19, on the west end of the project, and MP 32 on the east end, and is approximately 66 percent complete. On Wednesday, November 13, the soft closure at the east end was moved approximately one mile west from Old St. Vrain Road, providing unrestricted access to Boulder County's Hall Ranch Open Space.

Crews have made significant progress in moving the river back to its pre-flood location, re-establishing roadway embankment, hillside stabilization, which includes rock scaling, and repairing or replacing drainage pipes or culverts.

Work has turned to completing embankment improvements and other earthwork, and constructing the new asphalt roadway surface in preparation for the December 1 opening.  In the meantime, teams of engineers are evaluating the roadway for safety issues and determining where barriers, signs and guardrail need to be installed.

The flood has significantly changed the roadway configuration in some parts of the canyon, and as reconstruction of the road continues, the project team is working to determine what speeds to post in the various new sections of the road to maintain safety standards. Once the speed limits are determined, signs will be ordered and installed.

The public is advised that the river next to the highway looks different compared with how it was prior to the flood due to the volume of large rocks and debris that were carried down during the event. Throughout the project, additional crews, including surveyors and hydrologists, are working to evaluate damage and identify solutions for major construction and drainage issues caused by the flooding.

Access for Residents

Local residents who can show proof of residence will be allowed between Boulder County's Hall Ranch Open Space and MP 23.5 and also between MP 29.2 and MP 33.

Residents needing access to their properties can contact the Public Information Team for arrangements.
No motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists are allowed between MP 23.5 and MP 29.2, as the area in unsafe for travel of any kind. SH 7 is not open to through traffic.
Ongoing construction activities may cause short delays, and travelers are encouraged to obey all traffic signs and flaggers. Barriers will remain in place until crews evaluate and address rockfall issues, clean debris, and reconstruct the roadway to make it safe for travel.

Local residents who can show proof of residence will be allowed between Boulder County's Hall Ranch Open Space and MP 23.5 and also between MP 29.2 and MP 33. Residents needing access to their properties can contact the Public Information Team for arrangements.

No motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists are allowed between MP 23.5 and MP 29.2, as the area in unsafe for travel of any kind. SH 7 is not open to through traffic.

Ongoing construction activities may cause short delays, and travelers are encouraged to obey all traffic signs and flaggers. Barriers will remain in place until crews evaluate and address rockfall issues, clean debris, and reconstruct the roadway to make it safe for travel.

For More Information

To receive updates about the road repairs, please click on the cell phone icon on the right side of this page, where you can sign up for email updates for SH 7 under the "Colorado Flooding" section.

If you have questions or concerns, please send us an email at [email protected] or leave a message on the project hotline at 970-591-0000. You will receive a response within 24 hours.