Highway 96 near Wetmore reopens after flash flood, rock slide

Highway 96 between Wetmore and Westcliffe is back open Tuesday after crews took care of rockslides that were caused by Sunday’s flash flooding.

A team of workers scaled the side of Highway 96 to make the road safe for drivers.

“They’re clearing any loose material, bringing it down in a controlled environment rather than risking having another rock slide,” said Michelle Peulen with the Colorado Department of Transportation.

It’s safe to say, it’s not something you see every day. That’s what caught Bob Olsafsky’s attention as he and his family drove by.

“I saw the work crew and they’re of course dangling on lines chipping away at the rocks that are loose,” Olsafsky said.

Peulen says although the highway is back open, the work isn’t done.

“We will continue to look at this canyon between Westcliffe and Wetmore to see what other movement is out there, see what may need additional stabilization,” she said.

The examination will help them determine if they will need nets to keep rocks from falling.

Concrete barriers will also be placed on the side of Highway 96 to control smaller rocks from hitting cars.