CDOT safety-critical winter maintenance on CO 145 Feb. 19 causes delays

Traffic on Lizard Head Pass slowed to repeated stops as the Colorado Department of Transportation carried out "safety‑critical winter maintenance operations" on Colorado Highway 145, beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19. The work zone covered Mile Points 44 to 61 through Dolores and San Miguel counties and produced intermittent closures throughout the day.

CDOT’s travel advisory said, "Beginning at 8 a.m., motorists can expect lengthy delays lasting upwards of 30 minutes for much of the day." The advisory placed closure activity "beginning south of Rico and continuing north to Trout Lake," while map assets labeled the stretch between Rico and Telluride; Mile Points 44–61 were cited as the definitive work‑zone anchor. Motorists were stopped in both directions at various locations as crews worked.

The department detailed traffic control on the pass: "Motorists will be stopped in both directions at various locations along the work zone (Mile Points 44 to 61) and flaggers will guide motorists through the closure points intermittently between mitigation efforts." CDOT warned that "closure times will vary in length depending on the amount of snow that needs to be cleared by crews, as well as severity of potential avalanche danger," making individual stoppages unpredictable for drivers traveling between Rico and the Trout Lake/Telluride area.

CDOT also urged travelers to prepare: "CDOT urges motorists to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time," and carried its traveler-facing phrase "Know Before You Go." The agency repeated its safety slogan, "Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone," and encouraged use of agency resources, including a COtrip website and the COtrip Planner mobile app. CDOT’s advisory included the call, "Download the COtrip App!" and said, "The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!"

The closure notice drew local attention on CDOT’s Facebook post, which displayed the caption, "⛔️Thursday (2/19/26), 8 a.m. - CO 145 Lizard Head Pass, from Rico to Trout Lake (Mile Points 44 to 61). Expect intermittent highway closures lasting upwards of 30 minutes or more for much of the day." That post recorded 92 reactions, 9 comments and 73 shares; commenters included Jeanie Lephart ("Southwest Colorado CDOT Rocks! They are THE BEST in the lower48!!!!"), Ailsa Cara ("Your drivers finally have something to do! [emoji] Thank you for all your hard work. [emoji]") and Karen Heiden Binger ("All plow drivers and maintenance crews stay safe").

The Facebook feed also showed CDOT postings for other mountain passes, including US 550 Red Mountain Pass (Mile Points 67 to 80 and 80 to 82) with intermittent closures noted on the same Feb. 18–19 posting period. Given the variable nature of snow clearing and avalanche mitigation, CDOT’s advisory and map assets made clear that stoppages on CO 145 could continue to shift in length and location through Feb. 19; motorists were directed to use COtrip and the COtrip Planner app for real-time updates and to follow flaggers and posted instructions while traveling the pass.