Strong winds wreak havoc on big rigs; only passenger vehicles allowed on stretch of I-70

DENVER – Fierce winds blew over several semis and toppled trees around Colorado Friday morning.

The Colorado Department of Transportation shut down I-70 in both directions between Beaver Brook (mile marker 248) and Silverthorne (mile marker 205) just after 10 a.m. Friday. CDOT said several trucks had been blown over and some cars had reported shattering windshields.

But the department reopened the interstate in both directions at 10:45 a.m. for passenger vehicles only. High-profile vehicles and semi-trucks are still barred from that area of the interstate. The restriction will be lifted once the high wind warning is lifted sometime after 11 a.m., CDOT said.

The high wind gusts are expected to wane in strength as the day goes on, but could still reach 40 miles per hour throughout the day in the mountain corridor.

Several semi-trucks were blown over by gusts earlier Friday.

One of the trucks was headed southbound on Interstate 25 when it rolled over near Highway 119 shortly before 7 a.m.

The Colorado State Patrol said the box truck was empty at the time, but the truck was leaking some fuel. The truck’s driver was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.

Two trucks also rolled over on Interstate 70 in Georgetown. There was no word on any injuries from those crashes.

The wild winds whipping through the area have also toppled trees near Estes Park. Photographer Marsha Hobert captured images of several downed trees in Glen Haven. 

Strong winds have been reported along the Front Range corridor Friday and a high wind warning is in effect in the northern Front Range until 11 a.m.