Pueblo County road remains closed

The Pueblo County Public Works Department hopes to repair and reopen flood-damaged Boone Hill East Road by next weekend.

Last Wednesday’s heavy rain and flash flood washed out the road at Kramer Creek, between Boone and Prairie Hills roads. Boone Hill East Road has been closed since then.

Public Works Director Chuck Colletti said he wants to replace the damaged 24-inch culvert with a 60-inch culvert because the road has washed out previously after heavy rains. Work should begin on Monday, he said.

“Hopefully, it’ll fix 99 percent of the problem,” said Colletti. “It needs a bridge, but there are no residents or houses nearby. A bridge would probably cost a million dollars to build.”

Colletti said the closure means a detour of 17 miles for a postal carrier and others who depend on the road. The county is evaluating the condition of many roads damaged in the flood and determining the cost of repairing them.

“This is the worst I’ve seen in my 32 years with Pueblo County,” said Colletti.