Mudslides Close Red Mountain Pass, Forcing 202-Mile Detour in Colorado
Monsoonal rains on July 29 caused significant flooding, mudslides, and rockfall along Red Mountain Pass, also known as the Million Dollar Highway, between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. The mudslides have rendered the 23-mile stretch of Highway 550 impassable, forcing travelers to take a 202-mile detour. While a four-mile section of Highway 550 north of Ouray has reopened, Red Mountain Pass remains closed as of July 30 at 9:30 a.m. Crews are working to clear at least eight slide areas, but no estimated reopening time has been provided. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is actively removing debris, including large boulders, from the affected areas. The current weather forecast indicates cloudy skies with no significant precipitation expected through Friday. (Source: Denver Gazette, July 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. MDT)