Rockslide Closes Wet Canyon Road, Cuts Route West of Trinidad
A rockslide has closed Wet Canyon Road County Road 31.9 about five miles from Highway 12 west of Trinidad, prompting road closures and travel detours for residents and emergency services. Crews are working to clear the slide but no reopening timeline is available, making the alternate County Road 32.5 to Saracillo Canyon Road County Road 41.7 the recommended route.
Wet Canyon Road County Road 31.9 is closed after a rockslide was discovered Friday morning during commuter traffic about five miles from Highway 12 west of Trinidad, Las Animas County Emergency Management confirmed. No injuries were reported and emergency crews are on scene clearing debris, but officials have not provided an estimated time for reopening the roadway.
The closure severs a direct west east connector for local drivers and will add time and distance for travelers heading to and from Trinidad and nearby communities. County authorities advise drivers to use County Road 32.5 to Saracillo Canyon Road County Road 41.7 as the alternate route while cleanup is underway. Motorists should expect longer travel times and exercise caution on alternate roads that may have limited shoulders and reduced sight lines in winter conditions.
Recent heavy precipitation and rapid snowmelt in the southern Sangre de Cristo range increased rockslide risk in the area. Rainfall near the slide site totaled nearly 1.5 inches in a recent storm and the southern Sangres received significant snow, conditions that can loosen rock and saturated soils and raise the likelihood of additional slope failures in similar terrain. That weather context informs both immediate clearance efforts and county planning for future storm seasons.
The incident highlights a recurring challenge for county infrastructure managers balancing limited budgets, seasonal weather extremes, and the need for timely slope monitoring and road maintenance. For residents who rely on these county roads for commuting, school transport, agriculture or commercial access, the closure underscores the importance of contingency planning and clear communication from local authorities about road status and safety measures.
Residents should follow updates from Las Animas County Emergency Management for reopening notifications and traffic advisories. Emergency services and county crews continue clearing the slide location today and will assess the slope for further instability before reopening the road to public traffic.
