Snow causes closures, fatal crash, pileups on Interstate 70 in Colorado

Heavy snowfall in the mountains made for an ugly day on Interstate 70 Thursday. One person died in a crash near Silverthorne.

The Colorado State Patrol was warning drivers to avoid the interstate in the mountains entirely after several crashes and pileups led to closures along the highway throughout the day.

Eastbound lanes from Silverthorne to the Eisenhower Tunnel remains the only closure as of Thursday evening. However, travelers in both directions along the corridor dealt with delays all day.

One of the major incidents involved a semi-truck and up to 15 other vehicles near mile marker 247. Two people were transported to the hospital and two drivers were cited in that crash, which caused a multi-hour closure in the area.

Other crashes and slide-offs on Vail Pass, near Frisco and the Eisenhower Tunnels kept crews busy. The Colorado State Patrol said one person died in a single-vehicle rollover crash at mile marker 206.

The chain law and traction law are in effect for portions of I-70 between Georgetown and Vail. Check CDOT's website for the latest updates.

Weather conditions also likely contributed to a crash in Denver. A car crashed into a home located 1275 North Monaco Parkway. No injuries were reported.