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Large sinkhole closes western Colorado road

CDOT said motorists are asked to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.

PAONIA, Colo. — Drivers are asked to avoid a stretch of Colorado Highway 133 north of the Western Slope town of Paonia due to a large sinkhole in the area that caused major damage the road. 

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) said the highway is closed in both directions from mile points 14-19. Motorists are asked to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.

The sinkhole started on Saturday, April 29, according to CDOT. Spring runoff is a factor in the development of the sinkhole, CDOT said. There is also a damaged culvert near the roadway. 

CDOT said it is looking into temporary ways to safely reopen the highway, but options are limited due to the ongoing spring runoff and nearby terrain. The agency is coordinating with partner agencies and local residents to allow "extremely limited" travel in the area, including for emergency services.

Credit: CDOT

Travelers are urged to use cotrip.org to plan an alternate route, Those traveling to Colorado Highway 82 or Interstate 70 can detour around the closure via U.S. Highway 50 and I-70.

CDOT said commuters and local residents should plan on not being able to travel through the area during the closure.

Credit: CDOT

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