A large boulder the size of a sedan shut down the entire northbound lane of Colorado’s Highway 145 at mile marker 64.5 in the Southwest region of the state. According to the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office, the boulder had potential to create traffic delays on Saturday, October 11th.
Large boulder the size of a sedan completely blocking the northbound lane on Highway 145 mm 64.5 (about 1 mile north of the Ophir turns). Deputies on scene, CDOT in route. Expect traffic delays, avoid area if possible. pic.twitter.com/NEPwg3G4kW
— San Miguel Sheriff (@SheriffAlert) October 11, 2025
San Miguel Sheriff’s Office recommended travelers to avoid the area if possible. If they couldn’t, they were warned to expect traffic delays. The boulder had fallen about one mile north of the Ophir Turns.
A few hours later the rock had been cleared from the area and the road was reopened. However, with the ongoing wet conditions, rockfall occurring on the Norwood Hill area was expected to be a potential recurring issue.
Because of Colorado’s steep terrain, multiple landslides tend to occur every year. They often cost millions of dollars every year in damages. Rockfalls are the fastest type of landslides, occurring most frequently in mountains or other steep areas during early spring, but they can occur throughout the year.
