I-70 reopens westbound at Vail Pass following overnight closure
UPDATE (6:40 a.m.): The highway reopened at approximately 3:22 a.m., according to CDOT. Icy conditions persist, please drive safely.
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The Colorado Department of Transportation made the decision to close Interstate 70 in the westbound direction at Vail Pass after several hours of intense snowfall blasted the Vail area on Saturday night.
A detour currently exists in the westbound direction, that detour can be taken by getting off the interstate at exit 171 and taking Highway 24 south into Leadville, then taking Highway 91 back to the north and reconnecting with Interstate 70 at the Copper Mountain exit 195.
Travelers should be warned in attempting to brave that detour, however. Part of the journey is known as the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway; it has earned its name through its high-elevation, winding switchbacks on Battle Mountain Pass. The detour is 72 miles, while the interstate route is 25 miles, adding 52 miles to the trip. The Colorado Department of Transportation on Saturday night said that wet and snowy conditions currently exist on Highways 24 and 91 on the Top of the Rockies byway.

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The National Weather Service’s Grand Junction office issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the region, expecting light snow to continue through Sunday.
—This story will be updated