South Fork Home Page

Rio Grande Hospital – 719-657-4990
SLV Health – 719-589-2511, and press 9
CO HELP hotline: 1-877-462-2911
Colorado COVID-19 Information –https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus
CDC COVID-19 Information -https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

South Fork Highlights

Road Conditions and Travel Alert

Dec. 02, 2021

HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE ALERT

CO 149, near South Fork:

Pothole patching set for next week, Monday - Thursday

RIO GRANDE COUNTY ― The Colorado Department of Transportation will patch potholes next on CO Highway 149 near South Fork, mile points 0-2. Brief periodic closures are required to allow crews to work on the highway lanes and travelers should allow for extra travel time. The four-day maintenance operations will take place Monday through Thursday (Dec. 6-9), from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Traffic Impacts

Drivers will encounter full stops. Flagging personnel will guide traffic through the work zone. Up to 15 minute delays are anticipated. A speed reduction of 40 MPH will be in place and drivers should slow down and use extreme caution when approaching and driving through the work zone. Motorists are urged to be aware of crews and heavy equipment.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts, anticipated travel impacts, and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Travel webpage: COtrip.org
Mobile app: COtrip Planner
Phone hotlines for road and weather conditions: 511 or 303-639-1111
Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts
Subscribe to construction updates & news releases: subscription.cotrip.org
Follow social media: Twitter (@coloradodot) and Facebook (facebook.com/coloradodot)

Nov. 15, 2021

CDOT launches new "Winter Driving in the Wild" video series

Educational videos serve as entertaining reminders for safe winter driving

STATEWIDE — Today, CDOT’s Winter Wise campaign is launching “Winter Driving in the Wild,” an educational video series that will raise awareness of the laws, preparations and resources for safe and efficient winter driving. The series features the do’s and don’ts of Colorado winter driving through wildlife documentary-style mini-movies. “Winter Driving in the Wild” launches as CDOT prepares for winter travel, and the department hopes the series serves as a humorous and educational reminder of how to stay safe throughout winter.

View the “Winter Driving in the Wild” introduction video here.

The series includes videos about the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law, tire and snowplow safety, winter preparedness tips and a guide for winter driving resources. CDOT will release new editions of the series through winter.

“Motorists who are unprepared for winter road conditions create dangerous situations for themselves and everyone on the road, not to mention the extended delays we see from spinouts, slideoffs and crashes,” said Andrew Hogle, CDOT public information officer. “We’re excited to launch the ‘Winter Driving in the Wild” series to share these crucial messages and have some fun with Colorado drivers at the same time.”

Having adequate tires with proper tread depth is the first step motorists should take before choosing to drive on winter roads. Between October 2020 and April 2021, 262 passenger vehicle crashes were reported on the I-70 mountain corridor in addition to 91 non-crash emergency responses (mechanical issues, fires, spinouts/slideoffs). Many of these crashes, spinouts and slideoffs were due to poor quality tires.

Having adequate tires is not only safe; it’s also the law. Last winter, CDOT activated the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law 166 times on the I-70 mountain corridor alone. CDOT can implement the Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws on any state highway.

During a Passenger Vehicle Traction Law, all motorists are required to have one of the following:

A 4WD or AWD vehicle and 3/16” tread depth
Tires with a mud and snow designation (M+S icon) and 3/16” tread depth
Winter tires (mountain-snowflake icon) and 3/16” tread depth
Tires with an all-weather rating by the manufacturer and 3/16” tread depth
Chains or an approved alternative traction device

CDOT conducted a Passenger Vehicle Traction Law survey in January 2020 that found that rental vehicles were the most compliant vehicle type at 95%, and out-of-state vehicles were the least compliant at 86%. The primary reason for noncompliance: insufficient tread. Download the Compliance Infographic here for a visual summary of the report.

“The Traction Law is activated for safety and efficiency purposes,” said Hogle. “If everyone on the road has adequate tires and tread, then we’ll see fewer crashes and reduce delay times. That’s the goal — we want every Colorado motorist to get home safely without causing closures or extended delays. These laws and guidelines help us ensure that.”

For the most up-to-date winter driving resources, information and tips, visit winter.codot.gov.

Whether you’re a native, a new resident or a tourist, driving in Colorado winter weather can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. As we enter the winter months, CDOT wants to remind all Colorado roadway users of the following tips to stay safe.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL THIS WINTER:

Have a plan. Prepare a winterized emergency vehicle kit. Always plan your route in advance and be sure to let someone know your route and ETA. Check road conditions at COtrip.org.
Check your tires. It’s tire buying season! Make sure to check the air pressure in all tires, including your spare, and that your tires have good tread — at least 3/16”.
Perform a safety check. Give your vehicle a tune-up before long trips. This includes getting an oil change if necessary, inspecting the battery, brakes and pads and wiper blades. Ensure you have a full tank of gas, and lastly, check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights.
Know the laws. When weather conditions warrant, CDOT implements Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws. Head over to CDOT’s Traction & Chain Laws page for the most up-to-date laws.

WHILE YOU’RE ON THE ROAD:

Drive for the conditions. Don’t drive faster than you can see ahead and don’t forget to turn on your headlights! If you’re stuck in a serious storm, do not leave your vehicle. Run the engine periodically and wait for help.
Bow to the plow. It is illegal to pass a snowplow when it is operating its lights and operating in a tandem formation with one or more snowplows. Don’t crowd the plow, be sure to remain three to four car lengths behind snowplows.

STAY INFORMED:

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Road conditions and travel information: www.COtrip.org
Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts
See scheduled lane closures: codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html
Connect with us on social media: Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook facebook.com/coloradodot

ABOUT WINTER WISE

CDOT’s Winter Wise campaign focuses on education, tools and resources to help keep drivers safe on Colorado’s winter roads. To learn more and view helpful tips for winter driving, visit winter.codot.gov. For specific information about I-70 and other highway travel conditions, motorists can call 511 or check COtrip.org. Additionally, drivers can check Twitter for up-to-date travel information via @ColoradoDOT. For more detailed information about the Traction and Passenger Vehicle Safety Laws, snowplow laws, safety stats and frequently asked questions, visit winter.codot.gov.