BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — This is the time of year for Coloradans to review emergency evacuation plans, whether the biggest risk at your place is flood, wildfire, or both.
Neighbors in Boulder County say they feel trapped after a rockslide damaged and closed Gross Dam Road, one of the two roads out of their community.
When Tim Guenthner moved to his house down the street from Gross Reservoir outside of Boulder, he at least thought he’d have two ways to get out if there was an emergency.
"It’s a very narrow, twisted road. It’s got very steep turns, steep hills," Guenthner said about the main road, Flagstaff Road. "The only other way out is Gross Dam Road, which is right now being blocked by Denver Water due to a rockslide."
One of only two roads off the mountain around Gross Dam is now closed to the public. It has been for more than a month. A snowstorm in mid-March caused a rockslide which also damaged the road.
The road is owned by Denver Water. The water company says it’ll stay closed for several more weeks. It’s clear enough for Denver Water trucks and construction vehicles to drive on, but they say it's not stable enough to open to the public.
"Until additional geotechnical analysis and potential slope stabilization is completed, the road remains closed to the general public to ensure safety. It may be several more weeks before the road can safely be reopened," Denver Water wrote in a statement to 9NEWS. "The road is reopened for emergency access, and Denver Water has communicated with first responders that the road is open for them during an emergency. The road could also be used in an emergency evacuation were Flagstaff Road to be closed."
Guenthner worries what will happen if a fire like the one from 2003 that caused serious damage down the street were to start again. Would the road be able to open up in time for him and his neighbors to evacuate?
"If we’re sitting here looking for the person who is supposed to be coordinating with the person who is supposed to be talking to Denver Water who is supposed to be trying to figure out whether the road is stable enough to support traffic, it’s just not a good idea," Guenthner said.
Guenthner is reminded of the fire danger in his neighborhood every time he drives home. He wishes his evacuation route wasn’t closed.
"It’s terrifying actually," Guenthner said. "We’re constantly on alert. Whenever we see smoke, we’re all over the place."
Denver Water tells 9NEWS it took several weeks just to clear the boulders from the road. Now, it’ll stay closed until the slope can be stabilized. They own the road because it’s part of the land around Gross Reservoir where so much construction is going on right now.
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