Colorado Department of Transportation crews used snowplows to clear mud and debris from Interstate 70 in Garfield County this week [1].
The unconventional cleanup method was necessary to restore one of the region's primary transit arteries after severe weather rendered the road impassable. Because I-70 serves as a critical link for commerce and travel in western Colorado, the blockage created significant logistical disruptions for residents and travelers.
The cleanup efforts followed a severe storm on Monday evening, July 20, which triggered major flooding and mudslides near Silt [2]. The debris flow deposited thick layers of mud and rock across the highway, forcing authorities to close the road to ensure public safety [1].
Maintenance crews continued their work into Tuesday, July 21, utilizing snowplows to push the heavy sludge off the pavement [1]. This approach allowed crews to move larger volumes of debris more efficiently than manual clearing. Even nearly 20 hours after the initial flooding, crews remained on-site to manage the remaining residue [1].
The impact of the storm extended across several sections of the highway, specifically affecting areas between Silt and New Castle, as well as regions near Rifle [3]. The scale of the mudslides required a coordinated response from county and state maintenance teams to ensure the road surface was stable enough for vehicle traffic.
Despite the ongoing efforts to clear the lanes, the highway remained under partial closure into Wednesday morning [4]. CDOT officials said they focused on removing the bulk of the mud before transitioning to finer cleaning, and safety inspections of the road shoulder and drainage systems.
“Colorado Department of Transportation crews used snowplows to clear mud and debris from Interstate 70.”
The use of winter equipment to manage summer flood debris highlights the volatility of Colorado's mountain geography. When severe storms trigger mudslides on critical infrastructure like I-70, the lack of specialized mud-removal equipment often forces agencies to adapt existing tools to prevent long-term economic disruptions caused by highway closures.
