An avalanche on Thursday shut down the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 40 on the approach to Berthoud Pass, cutting off the stretch between Robbers Roost and the Mary Jane side of Winter Park Resort. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) warned drivers on social media while crews moved into the slide area to dig out the highway and check for any lingering avalanche risk. Travelers headed to or from Winter Park are being urged to expect delays and build in extra time while the cleanup continues.
What CDOT Posted
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, westbound US 40 was closed "between Robbers Roost and Mary Jane Ski Area" after avalanche debris reached the roadway. CDOT did not report any injuries in the initial post and said crews were on scene to clear snow and determine whether it would be safe to move to alternating traffic or a full reopening. The X post served as the first official public notice, with local agencies and travel pages expected to keep posting updates as conditions change.
Avalanche Risk On Berthoud Pass
Berthoud Pass is routinely watched by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, whose forecasts and incident logs detail how avalanche hazards can trigger closures on US 40. The CAIC has issued recent reports and forecasts for the Berthoud area, while local coverage has tracked how often slides disrupt traffic. For instance, Denver7 has documented previous shutdowns and the effort required to safely reopen the pass.
Mitigation And Recent History
CDOT has repeatedly closed Berthoud Pass during strong storms so crews can carry out avalanche mitigation and snow clearing. The agency’s advisories explain how those operations are intended to keep the corridor safe before reopening, per the CDOT news release. The department also oversees avalanche-control systems across several mountain routes, and local reporting has noted that CDOT approved funding in early 2026 to swap out aging Gazex mitigation units on nearby passes. Summit Daily reported on those replacement plans and the broader mitigation work.
How Drivers Should Respond
For now, motorists are being told to steer clear of the affected stretch while crews work and to rely on live travel tools for detours and timing. Local reporting advises checking COtrip.org or calling 511 for the latest status on US 40 and surrounding routes. As Denver7 notes, drivers should give highway crews plenty of space, travel with winter emergency supplies, and map out alternate routes when crossing high mountain passes.
This story will be updated as officials release reopening details and more information about the slide. Until then, anyone heading toward Winter Park should plan for delays on westbound US 40 near Mary Jane and follow official advisories before committing to the drive into the high country.
