Highway 96 Closed at 96 and Highway 165 | Sangre de Cristo Sentinel

Drone photo courtesy of
Wet Mountain Fire Protection District

Press Release from the Custer County Sheriff’s Office
—December 29, 2024
H96/H165 closure extended.
Just before 3 pm Sunday 12/29/24 Custer County received 911 calls regarding a rock slide at the intersection of Highway 96 and Highway 165. Responders determined there was a continued high risk of additional rock slides and closed the highway.
6 pm update: At this point CDOT anticipates a multi day highway closure to allow an inspection by a geologist before crews can enter the slide zone and begin cleanup. Specialized rockfall mitigation may also be needed.
CDOT has requested and will deploy electronic sign message boards to be set up in Silver Cliff, Wetmore, and Rye.
This image was captured by the Wet Mountain Fire Protection District drone and shows the current rock fall.
Alternate Routes Include:
1.) CañonCity to Westcliffe via Oak Creek Grade (CR 255) or
2.) Cañon City to Westcliffe via Copper Gulch (CR 215) or
3.) Texas Creek to Westcliffe via Highway 69.
You cannot drive up Hwy 165 from Rye through the rock slide area.

UPDATE:

Update 1: 4:25PM. The rock slide danger continues. The initial CDOT assessment has determined that a geologist will need to respond to assess the situation. No vehicles or pedestrians are being allowed in the hazard area.

Alternate Routes Include:

1.) Rye to San Isabel to Mackenzie Junction via Highway 165 or

2.) Canon City to Westcliffe via Oak Creek Grade (CR 255) or

3.) Canon City to Westcliffe via Copper Gulch (CR 215) or

4.) Texas Creek to Westcliffe via Highway 69

HWY 96 IS CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AT HWY 165 FOR AN ACTIVE ROCK SLIDE, PLEASE, AVOID THE AREA. THERE IS NO ETA ON REOPENING UNTIL CDOT IS ON SCENE.