This is the Denver7 breaking and developing news blog. Throughout the day, this story will be updated with both minor and large breaking news events that our readers care about. Check back as we continue to update this story.
7:55 p.m.: A shelter for stranded drivers is now open in Vail at City Hall, 75 S. Frontage Rd. W. The shelter is free of charge and pets are allowed.
7:54 p.m.: Highway 6 is closed between I-70 and Highway 58, per CSP.
7:52 p.m.: Expect snow to continue in the mountains and in the Denver metro through the night:
Snow & strong NW winds will continue thru midnight in the high country w/improving conditions overnight. Lower elev: snow will persist thru mid-evening before improving near midnight. #COwx pic.twitter.com/g0jrrOzB6q
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) December 24, 2017
7:28 p.m.: CDOT says I-70 is closed in both directions between Silverthorne and Golden.
7:21 p.m.: The latest from CDOT:
I-70 is closed westbound at Morrison Road. Eastbound still closed at Silverthorne. Blowing snow has caused visibility to be at only 5 feet. Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels have lost power so there is currently no control over the lights on the highway, digital message boards
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) December 24, 2017
7:07 p.m.: CSP now reporting westbound I-70 is closed at Golden; closure extends all the way to Vail.
MAJOR CLOSURE EXTENDED - WB Interstate 70 being closed at Golden. Conditions extreme.
— CSP Golden (@CSP_Golden) December 24, 2017
7:00 p.m.: CDOT is reporting widespread closures in the mountains. Westbound I-70 is closed between Empire Junction and Vail; eastound I-70 is closed between Vail Pass and mile marker 205. In addition, Loveland Pass on U.S. 6 is closed, as is Berthoud Pass on on U.S. 40.
CDOT crews reporting 'whiteout conditions' on Vail Pass.
— CSP Eagle (@CSP_Eagle) December 24, 2017
4:18 p.m.: These are the current closures on eastbound I-70, per the Colorado State Patrol - Eagle subdivision:
Eastbound I70 closed at milepost 205 (Silverthorne) and milepost 176 (Vail) for a crash at milepost 232 (Empire). ETA to reopen might be 6-7 PM.
— CSP Eagle (@CSP_Eagle) December 23, 2017
4:10 p.m.: Eastbound I-70 at Vail is closed because of icy conditions and multiple slide-offs, per CDOT.
CLOSED- EB I-70 @ Vail,MM 176;Icy conditions & multiple slide offs
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) December 23, 2017
3:07 p.m.: Westbound I-70 will be closed at Empire Junction (mile post 232) for an extended period of time, per CSP Golden. Authorities are advising travelers to delay their travel to Colorado's ski country.
2:01 p.m.: The Colorado State Patrol - Golden division is reporting "multiple" crashes on I-70 between Georgetown and the Eisenhower Tunnel. A safety closure is being implemented and all vehicles are being asked to exit at Empire Junction.
Multiple Incidents on I-70 between Georgetown and the Eisenhower Tunnel.
SAFETY CLOSURE BEING IMPLEMENTED AT EMPIRE JUNCTION (WP 232).
All vehs must exit. Pass vehs will be re-route east, CMV's will be staged. US 40 is open into Grand County / Winter Park. S1
— CSP Golden (@CSP_Golden) December 23, 2017
1:56 p.m.: I-70 westbound is closed at Empire Junction (mile marker 232) because of road conditions and heavy traffic, CDOT says.
1:55 p.m.: A crash at northbound I-25 near 136th Avenue has been cleaned-up, but back-up remains until 104th Avenue, according to CDOT.
CLEAR:I-25 NB @ 136 Ave;All lanes have opened;Backup remain to 104 Ave;Use caution in area
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) December 23, 2017
1:00 p.m.: Northbound I-25 closed at 136th Avenue because of a crash, CDOT says. There is no estimated time for the reopening of the highway. Alternate routes are advised.
upd:CLOSED I-25 NB @ 136 Ave;b/c a crash;no est time of reopening;alt rte advised
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) December 23, 2017
12:37 p.m.: Vail Pass is back open following safety closure due to spun out vehicles, per the Eagle County Sheriff's Office.
Vail Pass is back open! Safe travels everyone!
— Eagle County Sheriff (@EagleCountySO) December 23, 2017
11:46 a.m.: Eastbound I-70 at mile marker 180 (east Vail) is under a safety closure due to spun out vehicles on Vail Pass, CDOT says.
11:44 a.m.: Eastbound I-70 at Silverthorne is under a safety closure due to multiple spun vehicles on the road. Expect delays, says CDOT.
11:20 a.m.: US 6 Loveland Pass is closed because of adverse conditions, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
CLOSED- US 6 Loveland Pass,b/c adverse conditions;Extended closure expected;HazMat vehicles will use Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 periodically
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) December 23, 2017
4:33 a.m.: A vehicle involved in a hit-and-run in Thornton has been found after a four-hour search overnight, police say. A pedestrian suffered serious injuries.
TPD responded to 120th and Colorado Blvd on an Auto/Ped accident, an older model black sedan left the scene SB Colorado. The pedestrian suffered injuries. The vehicle should have heavy front end damage, no other info is available at this time. Contact TPD if you have info.
— Thornton Police Dept (@ThorntonPolice) December 23, 2017
