US 24 between Limon, Falcon reopens after semi-truck crash, blizzard-like conditions Wednesday

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - Authorities reopened a 56-mile stretch of US 24 in eastern El Paso, Elbert and Lincoln counties early Wednesday afternoon after a nearly five-hour closure.

The Colorado State Patrol shut down the highway between Falcon and Limon because of a semi-truck crash and dangerous road conditions that included icy pavement, blowing snow and poor visibility.

Troopers closed the highway just before 8:30 a.m.; the crash happened 1.5 miles east of the US 24/Peyton Highway intersection in Peyton.

The semi's trailer blocked both lanes of the highway and the cab was stuck in a ditch full of snow.

The driver wasn't hurt and a tow truck had the semi-truck back on the road by 11:45 a.m.

A half-dozen drivers eager to continue their trips waited in the parking lot of the Corner Store in Peyton until the highway reopened just before 1:30 p.m.