TELLER COUNTY, Colo. — The National Weather Service in Pueblo has completed the survey of a tornado that touched down in Teller County last week. It was reported just after 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, in a rural area off of 4 Mile Road, just a few miles north-northeast of Cripple Creek.
The tornado will be classified as a rare, high-altitude twister, touching down at an elevation of 10,050 feet above sea level. It was on the ground for just under a mile and had a maximum width of 400 yards, though most of the damage path had a width of approximately 50 yards.
The survey showed a visible path of damage that included hardwood and softwood trees. It is estimated that approximately 300 trees were either damaged or uprooted. Some of the trees were twisted from the rotation of the storm.
Three homes were in the vicinity of the tornado, one of which sustained a broken window. The other two had a close call with the tornado but weren't hit.