Stuck semitrailer snarls traffic in Ute Pass during Sunday snowstorm

A stuck 18-wheeler caused problems for drivers — and a state trooper — during Sunday’s snowstorm along U.S. 24 in Ute Pass, just west of Manitou Springs.

Around 10:30 a.m., the truck became stuck on icy pavement in the westbound left lane, and a line of traffic behind the truck came to a stop.

The Colorado State Patrol temporarily closed the highway there.

“They didn’t teach me that in school,” said Blane Allen, the truck driver who said it was his first time driving in winter weather. “Just kind of nervous, I guess. I felt the tires spin a little bit. I had to pull over and chain up.”

Another driver, Rob Mihalko, helped Allen place chains on the truck’s tires.

“He said he’d never done it before,” Mihalko said. “His boss told him he shouldn’t have tried to make it up the pass. I’m used to this kind of weather.”

Because snowplows were unable to get through the traffic congestion, a member of a road crew spread gravel under the truck’s tires to provide traction.

Around noon, Allen was able to drive a short distance but became stuck again, but this time he pulled over on the shoulder to avoid blocking traffic. A line of assistance vehicles responded.

For other drivers, it wasn’t just the stuck big rig that was troublesome. It was the slick pavement. Several drivers became stuck themselves.

“This sucks,” said Samantha Bolender. “I was on my way to a birthday party. It’ll be over by the time I get there. I was behind the semi, and it was going slow, and I got stuck when I couldn’t get enough speed to make it up the pass.”

Cody Hoffman became stuck a few miles behind the tractor-trailer.

“I have a brand-new car but it has rear-wheel drive so it wasn’t liking the weather too much,” he said. “As soon as I felt it sliding, I decided to pull over and wait for a tow truck.”

Snow fell heavily in nearby Manitou Springs.

“We’ve been out here shoveling for two hours and it piles up as fast as we shovel it,” said Rolf Jacobson. “I didn’t even know it was going to snow.”

Shoveling was common up and down Manitou Avenue, the main street through downtown.

In Teller County, roads were mostly wet during the day but became more slushy and snowpacked after dusk. U.S. 24 between Woodland Park had some snowpack but drivers didn’t have trouble with it.