Colorado pileup involving more than 75 crashed vehicles on snowy eastbound I-70 results in major closure

Colorado highway officials closed eastbound Interstate 70 on Tuesday after a major pileup just before 3 p.m. involving dozens and dozens of crashed vehicles and semi trucks. Some were damaged and some were spun out on the snowy roadway on -- and close to -- the onramp from Highway 6. There were no reported fatalities, but 19 people in all were hurt.

Around the time of the crash, a quick burst of heavy snow and strong winds with a convective winter-like storm made mountain roads in the central part of the state dangerously slick within a very short period of time. At the same time, 30 to 35 mph wind gusts blew enough snow to create white-out conditions.

Approximately 70 cars were involved in the crash. Many could be seen 90 minutes later in the middle of the interstate with heavy damage.

The Colorado Department of Transportation closed the eastbound lanes of I-70 at the Eisenhower Tunnel after 3 p.m. due to the emergency response and cleanup effort. Drivers were told to expect an extended closure. Five hours later, the interstate was reopened.

The Colorado State Patrol said the people who were taken to the hospital had varying degrees of injuries.

Restaurants and the community center in nearby Georgetown opened their doors to people whose vehicles were damaged.

The crash scene was close to Loveland ski area, which remains open to skiers for the season. Highway 6 over Loveland Pass is still open.

During the day, falling snow created slick driving conditions that resulted in crashes and closures in other of Colorado's high country as well. There was a crash on I-70 on Vail Pass in the afternoon involving several vehicles that forced a closure of the westbound lanes there. There was also a crash on Berthoud Pass near Winter Park that closed Highway 40.