GUNNISON COUNTY, Colo. — Kebler Pass in Gunnison County is closed to the public after runoff caused major damage to the roadway.
The county posted on Facebook Wednesday afternoon that it will remain closed until crews can repair and rebuild the road.
The road is not passable by vehicle, the county said.
Martin W. Schmidt, assistant county manager for Gunnison County Public Works, said there are multiple signs, barricades and digital signs warning about the closure. In some places, equipment is blocking access, he said. The damage stemmed from runoff water that inundated multiple culverts and caused the road to wash out.
"Although there appears to be a section of road intact, the stability of the remaining road is still being assessed and in order to protect the public, the entire road section needs to be closed," he said.
He said some members of the public have ignored the signage, but there have not been any major consequences.
A timeline for its reopening is not yet available.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is not involved in these repairs. The U.S. Forest Service and county are working together, Schmidt said.
Kebler Pass, which is along Gunnison County Road 12, runs about 30 miles between Crested Butte and Highway 133, the latter of which is near Paonia State Park and east of Town of Paonia. It rises up to about 10,000 feet. Because it is mostly gravel and dirt, the pass closes each winter but is accessible for almost all vehicles in the summertime.
It is a popular high mountain pass to see changing fall colors.
Denver7 is working to learn more about the road damage.
