When these rockslides occur there’s no stopping them from destroying whatever may lie in their path, including your car. Knowing a little bit more about rockslides in Colorado may help to prevent an accident.
Rockslides typically occur from a combination of gravitational force and erosion. All winter long the hillsides in our mountain communities freeze and fill with snow. When that snow melts and water starts washing down from higher streams or ski slopes, it encounters newly thawed hillsides. These areas are where rockslides are most likely to occur and WHEN they’re most likely to occur is in the spring when everything is thawing out and melting. Rockslides or landslides can also occur after a heavy rain.
We’ve seen rockslides in Colorado do some major damage to roads and, unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to stop one from happening. However, you can protect yourself by not stopping on roads in areas where they’re most likely to occur. If you need a rest break, take it before you enter Glenwood Canyon or after you’re out of it. Don’t linger near pull outs where “watch for falling rock” signs are. There’s a reason those signs are there.
Lastly, if you know that some areas have had small rock falls and more rain is on the way, consider an alternate route or destination if possible. We know this isn’t always easy or at all feasible, but if it is, avoiding common rockslide areas is the best thing to do.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, make sure to call our office and set up a free consultation. We’re more than happy to help you with your accident case if we can.