Cottonwood Campground Evacuated After 6 Mudslides Cut Off Road
CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Cottonwood Lake campground was evacuated on Thursday after six mudslides cut off the road leading to the grounds.
The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a large mudslide on County Road 344, and upon arrival discovered there were six different slides.
Several vehicles were trapped between the slides, but none were directly in their path. No damage or injuries were reported.
About 150 people staying in the Cottonwood Campground, just above the slide area, were cut off from the exit road.
The slides were all about 100 feet long, and up to 15 feet deep. Boulders continued to fall and mud continued to slide throughout the day, and the campground was ordered evacuated.
Crews responded with two large loading trucks to remove the debris from the road and evacuate the campground.
Cottonwood Campground will remain closed until at least Saturday July 4, possibly later depending on the weather. Unincorporated camping west of Cottonwood Lake will also be inaccessible.
The American Red Cross set up a shelter in Buena Vista for those needing a place to stay after leaving the campground.