Hinsdale County, Colorado

11/01/2026

Sunday, November 1 - 1:45 pm

Avoid all travel to South Fork, Del Norte and Pagosa Springs.

Travelers planning to travel south to or from Lake City should avoid South Fork, Del Norte and Pagosa Springs due to heavy flooding. Access into Pagosa Springs on Hwy 160 will be closed by CDOT at 2 p.m. today. Mandatory evacuations are in place for all low lying areas along the San Juan River. The San Juan River through the Town of Pagosa Springs is supposed to continue to rise today and crest as high as 19 feet later this evening. There is an urgent flood warning in these towns.

CDOT has released the following statement:

On Sunday (11/1/26) flooding has prompted several highway closures across Southwest & South-Central CO. Motorists should be prepared for additional safety closures where significant flooding is creating roadway hazards. Flooding of streams and rivers is currently ongoing and expected to persist through mid-week. Safety closures may be extended even after heavy rains have subsided due to rising water levels and highway damage. Road closures include:

⛔US 160, Wolf Creek Pass through Town of South Fork (MP 157 to 187) beginning at 2 p.m.
⛔US 160, Downtown Pagosa Springs, no thru traffic 14th Street to US 84 beginning at 2 p.m.
⛔CO 17, New Mexico state line to Antonito (MP 0 to 39)
⛔CO 151, Chimney Rock to Arboles (MP 27 to 30)

Send a message to learn more

10/27/2026

Disaster declaration for Southern Hinsdale

Hinsdale County has issued a Local Emergency Declaration for the Upper Piedra area of Hinsdale County due to flooding over the weekend. The declaration identifies damage has occurred in the Upper Piedra area, including impacts to roadways, ditches, and other agricultural infrastructure. A local emergency declaration can make it possible for affected property owners to request emergency grant funding through Department of Local Affairs.

View the declaration on the Hinsdale County webpage, https://hinsdalecounty.colorado.gov/.

Hinsdale County, Colorado, is the most remote area in the United States' lower 48 states. With a total area of 1,123 square miles, our county is made up of almost 96.5 percent public land. Hinsdale County is covered by mountains, including five 14,000 and over 20 13,000 ft. peaks, and contains one o...

10/24/2026

3 pm

Monarch Pass is closed due to weather and accidents.

***Multiple Accidents-Monarch Pass***

Due to the weather and amount of traffic stuck on the roadway Monarch Pass is not passable at this time. Crews are working to clear traffic and manage accidents.

Emergency crews are working several accidents and traffic is greatly impacted by the weather on Monarch Pass from MM 190-MM 208.

❄️Snowy, icy, and snow packed conditions over the pass.

CDOT cameras are not online but here is what the Monarch Ski area currently looks like.

Commercial chain law and passenger traction law in effect.

10/23/2026

The Hinsdale County Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) is now open to cast ballots for the November 3 election. Ballots must be returned no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.

The VSPC is located at the Hinsdale County Clerk’s Office, 317 N Henson St. Lake City, CO. Hours of operation: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Saturday October 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-Noon, and Tuesday November 3, 2026, 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

The 24-hour Drop Box is now open until November 3 at 7:00 p.m. The drop box is located at the southeast corner of the Hinsdale County courthouse.

As previously reported, Dan Strausbaugh withdrew as candidate for Hinsdale County Sheriff on September 24, although his withdrawal came after the ballots were printed and hence his name remains on the just-mailed ballots. Any votes which Strausbaugh receives will be invalid. According to county clerk, any outdoor yard signs advocating Strausbaugh for sheriff should be removed.

10/23/2026

Disaster emergency declared in southwest Colorado. Southern Hinsdale County experiencing high water levels.

10/19/2026

Engineer and Cinnamon passes are officially closed due to deep snow in the high country. Anyone traveling on back country roads, including CR 20 or CR 30, for recreation or hunting should avoid driving through snow. STOP and turn around if you encounter snow on the road. Snow depth is deceiving and a vehicle can get stuck in what looks like little snow. Don’t be the person that has to be rescued from a snowbank at night.

10/13/2026

Winter weather

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the Lake City high country and surrounding regions for Wednesday, October 14. Above 10,000 feet expect up to 8 inches of snow. Those recreating in the back country should be aware that high mountain passes may become unsafe and impassable. Do not try to drive through fresh snow on the road. Snow drifts are often deeper than they look.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM MDT WEDNESDAY
ABOVE 10000 FEET...

* WHAT...Snow expected above 10000 feet. Total snow accumulations
between 4 and 8 inches with locally higher amounts possible above
timberline. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Northwest San Juan Mountains and Southwest San Juan
Mountains, including Lake City Telluride, Lizard Head Pass, Ouray, Red Mtn
Pass, Silverton, Molas Pass, Coal Bank Pass, Rico, and
Hesperus

* WHEN...From 6 AM to 6 PM MDT Wednesday.

09/27/2026

Posted 15 minutes ago.

*****Update 10:40pm*****

The road is back open to two way traffic. Thank you for your understanding with the earlier delays.

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*****Update 8:40pm******

Lanes are open to alternating traffic, expect delays as responders are still out working. Thank you for your patience.

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West Hwy 50 just East of Little Blue Canyon near Windy Point is CLOSED due to a major accident.

Emergency responders are enroute. No estimate on when it will reopen.

09/16/2026

Have you paid your property taxes?