Westbound U.S. 6 turned into a Saturday traffic nightmare south of Golden after a crash splattered material across the roadway and set off a hazardous-materials response. The collision, near the C-470 interchange, quickly produced long backups as emergency crews moved in to secure the area. Officials warned that cleanup and investigation could keep the highway closed for several hours, tying up west-metro drivers who rely on the corridor.
The wreck involved a cement truck and a box truck and led to a hazardous-materials spill, according to The Denver Post. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office told the outlet that the hazmat situation "likely means a lengthy road closure," as multiple agencies worked the scene to contain the material and eventually reopen the highway.
Where the closure is
The Colorado Department of Transportation shows U.S. 6 closed at Johnson Road near the C-470 interchange in Golden, with traffic being held or diverted in the area, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Drivers are urged to follow posted detours and check CoTrip or their preferred traffic app for real-time updates while crews handle the cleanup.
Commuter impact
Because U.S. 6 is a popular alternate to I-70, a shutdown there can quickly ripple across the west-metro commute. Officials are urging motorists to build in extra time, expect delays, and follow instructions from first responders on scene, The Denver Post reports. For official updates and non-emergency questions, visit the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office website.
