Westbound I-70 turned into an early-morning parking lot Wednesday after a fuel tanker rolled near the C-470 interchange, shutting down a key route for west-side commuters and sending hazmat crews into overdrive. The driver managed to climb out of the wrecked truck on his own and reported no injuries while teams worked to contain a fuel spill and clear the scene.
Scene and response
Foothills Fire Rescue said the rollover happened around mile marker 258, just west of Golden, with emergency crews estimating roughly 200 gallons leaked from the tanker before hazmat teams could fully contain the spill. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the truck went off the right side of the highway and rolled onto its passenger side. The driver, a 27-year-old Denver man, self-extricated and had no reported injuries, the Denver Gazette reported.
Traffic and investigation
CDOT initially closed westbound I-70 between US-6 and Exit 256 (Lookout Mountain) and later adjusted the closure as the response evolved. Traffic was diverted at Exit 259 onto Highway 40, creating heavy backups for drivers trying to head into the foothills and beyond, according to CBS Colorado.
Colorado State Patrol listed the incident under case number 1A261565 and asked anyone with information to contact CSP dispatch at (303) 239-4501. Troopers said they are still working to determine what caused the tanker to leave the roadway.
Cleanup and safety
Hazmat crews focused on removing fuel from the tanker, protecting nearby storm drains, and stabilizing the overturned truck. That kind of work can keep a major interstate shut down for hours, even when the spill volume is relatively small. Foothills Fire units and CSP hazmat teams remained on scene while CDOT camera feeds showed traffic detouring around the closure.
Local coverage and state transportation alerts confirmed the extended response and detours, with travel guidance available from KKTV and CDOT.
As cleanup and the on-scene investigation continue, Colorado State Patrol said more information will be released as it becomes available. Investigators also reiterated their request, via CBS Colorado, that any witnesses who have not yet spoken with troopers call CSP dispatch and reference case number 1A261565.
