DENVER – The remains of Nolan Olson, the CDOT worker killed by a passing car in early February, were carried from Denver to his hometown of Pagosa Springs Friday in a 276-mile procession.
Olson, 64, died Feb. 2 when he was hit by the vehicle while filling potholes on U.S. Highway 160. He was a CDOT equipment operator and worked with the agency’s Maintenance Patrol 7 for 14 years.
CDOT employees and others lined the state’s highways along Highway 285 and Highway 160 as the procession headed south into Pagosa Springs.
The procession began around 8 a.m. near C-470 and Bowles, and then headed south on Highway 285. As it reached South Fork, CDOT’s Region 5 employees guided Olson over Wolf Creek Pass.
Olson’s family members joined the procession near Treasure Falls and into Pagosa Springs, where a large American flag was displayed.
Olson’s snowplow No. 4476, which he drove for 14 years, was part of the procession. Once his remains reach the maintenance patrol yard, he will rest there overnight with an honor guard keeping watch.