Colorado highway shut down after 75-vehicle pileup amid winter weather

At least 75 vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction crash on a Colorado highway Tuesday, according to authorities. The crashes occurred in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver, near Loveland Ski Area, and followed a morning with six separate wrecks, mostly along the same stretch of Interstate 70, the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The latest collision prompted authorities to shut down both lanes of eastbound I-70 near mile marker 216. Photos released by officials showed emergency crews assisting stranded drivers at the scene. The Colorado Department of Transportation said the closure was due to a severe multi-vehicle crash on the east side of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. There was no estimated reopening time, officials added.

Weather conditions appeared to play a role in the crashes, with snow-covered roadways creating hazardous driving conditions, authorities said. The area near Loveland Ski Area is known as a bottleneck during ski season, as traffic from skiers and commuters converges.

Officials reported no injuries in the recent pileup. Earlier in the day, six crashes were reported in the area, some involving single vehicles and others involving multiple vehicles. Five of these incidents occurred near mile marker 221 on westbound I-70, and one on U.S. Highway 40, the sheriff’s office said. All these earlier crashes had been cleared before the major pileup.

Colorado State Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash. Authorities urged drivers to slow down, increase following distances, and stay safe as they navigate winter driving conditions.

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