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De Beque Today
By the People, for the People
CDOT Conducts Emergency Rock Scaling Project on I-70 in De Beque Canyon
Periodic 20-minute delays expected for eastbound and westbound commuters as crews work to remove loose rocks from mountainside.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
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The Colorado Department of Transportation is conducting an emergency rock scaling project in De Beque Canyon on Interstate 70 on Monday and Tuesday. The work is expected to cause periodic 20-minute delays for eastbound and westbound commuters as crews remove loose rocks from the mountainside to improve safety.
Why it matters
After a recent rockslide, a geohazard team assessed the hillside and determined that additional loose rocks posed a continued risk to the roadway. The rock scaling project is necessary to protect motorists and workers from potential rock falls and bouncing debris across the highway.
The details
The project is located on I-70 near Colorado Highway 65, where rocks have been falling from the mountainside. The work involves periodic closures in both directions to allow a contractor to remove loose rocks from the high mountain slope above the highway. This controlled process is safer than allowing the rocks to fall uncontrolled, which could potentially hit the pavement and bounce across all lanes of traffic.
- The rock scaling project is taking place on Monday, February 10, 2026 and Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
- Periodic 20-minute delays are expected for eastbound and westbound commuters on Interstate 70 during the project.
The players
Colorado Department of Transportation
The state transportation agency responsible for maintaining and improving Colorado's roadways, including conducting emergency rock scaling projects to ensure public safety.
Chuck Marsh
The northwestern regional communications manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Cameron Phillips
A geotechnical EIT II for the Colorado Department of Transportation who is monitoring the site work.
What they’re saying
“To be as safe as possible, we sent a team up there and we've closed the highway periodically to to get that team to be able to get some of those rocks off of the the dangerous roadway.”
— Chuck Marsh, Northwestern Regional Communications Manager, Colorado Department of Transportation (westernslopenow.com)
“We just have a contractor up on the slope making sure that the area is as safe as we can make it. So we're removing rock from the source area, loose rock from the source area and trying to improve the safety of the the rock slope in this location.”
— Cameron Phillips, Geotechnical EIT II, Colorado Department of Transportation (westernslopenow.com)
What’s next
Colorado Department of Transportation officials advised travelers heading through the De Beque Canyon area to check their planned paths and plan ahead to avoid getting caught in traffic during the rock scaling project.
The takeaway
This emergency rock scaling project on I-70 in De Beque Canyon highlights the ongoing efforts by the Colorado Department of Transportation to proactively address potential hazards and maintain the safety of the state's roadways for all travelers.
