Fire activity shut down a crucial stretch of US Highway 285 in both directions early Thursday, bringing traffic to a crawl on one of the main routes between the Front Range and the mountains. The closure covers the segment between County Road C and San Antonio Street as crews work the scene, and drivers are being urged to steer clear if they can.
According to a post from the Colorado Department of Transportation, US 285 is closed northbound and southbound between County Road C and San Antonio Street because of fire activity. The agency also warned motorists to slow down and use caution in the area. The alert, issued early Thursday, did not include any estimate for when the highway might reopen.
Where to check for updates
For live travel information and camera views, drivers can check COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app, which carries CDOT's real-time road conditions and official closure notices. Local fire and law enforcement agencies may share additional guidance from the scene.
Traffic impacts and tips
Closures on US 285 can add serious time to trips between the Denver metro area and mountain destinations and ski areas, especially when both directions are shut down. If you absolutely have to travel, build in extra time, follow instructions from emergency personnel, and use alternate routes where they make sense. Officials also caution against using neighborhood streets as unofficial detours to skirt the backup.
CDOT's post did not provide details about the size of the fire, containment progress, or any injuries. This story will be updated as agencies release more information. For the latest official information, monitor the Colorado Department of Transportation post and COtrip.org.
