Gov. Polis To Request Federal Disaster Declaration For I-70 Mudslide

Governor Jared Polis announced he will declare a state disaster for the flooding and mudslide that damaged Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon.

According to CBS4, it's unknown when the road will be reopened.

In addition, Polis also intends to request a federal declaration under the Stafford Act.

“There are areas that are under 10 feet or more of mud at this point. Until that can be removed we won’t know the exact damage,” Polis said at a press conference on Monday, August 2.

The section of the interstate has been shut down since Thursday, July 29, after heavy rain prompted intense amounts of debris to fall onto the road.

Many drivers who were on the road on Thursday night were trapped in their cars until early Friday morning (July 30).

Polis said, "The best-case scenario is a few days," for the road to reopen, but it might be a few weeks.

“I know this closure has a big impact on Colorado,” Polis said. “We still are not out of this yet. We need to watch closely for the next few weeks, month, and it could get worse.”

In the meantime, drivers are being detoured up to Steamboat Springs, reports CBS4.

CDOT also announced it will postpone the three-month-long closure of Highway 285.