Rockslide Shuts Wet Canyon Road, Forces Detours North of Highway 12
A rockslide has closed Wet Canyon Road (County Road 31.9) roughly five miles north of Highway 12, prompting a county-designated detour and temporary disruption to travel for residents and emergency services. Officials report no injuries, crews are clearing debris, and heavy recent precipitation and rapid snowmelt are being cited as the likely cause.
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Las Animas County Emergency Management reported that a rockslide has blocked Wet Canyon Road (County Road 31.9) about five miles north of Highway 12, closing the road to traffic until crews can clear debris and the corridor is judged safe. Authorities say no injuries have been reported and there is no estimated time for when the road will reopen.
Local drivers are being detoured via County Road 32.5 to Saracillo Canyon Road (CR 41.7) as the county works to reroute traffic around the slide area. Emergency management and road crews are on scene assessing the stability of the slope and removing fallen rocks and mud. Officials have said they will provide updates to the public when a safe reopening can be scheduled.
Meteorologists at KOAA noted that recent weather likely contributed to the slide. The southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains received between one and two feet of snow in the most recent storm, while about 1.5 inches of rain fell near the slide site. Rapid snowmelt following the precipitation raised the risk of slope failures and runoff-driven erosion across vulnerable canyons and roads.
The closure carries immediate implications for daily travel and local services. Residents who use Wet Canyon Road for commuting, access to rural properties, or agricultural operations must follow the detour and allow extra time for trips. The reroute may also affect school bus runs, deliveries, and access for maintenance crews, although county officials have not reported any canceled services at this time. Emergency responders may need to adapt routing for calls that normally use Wet Canyon Road.
In the broader context, the incident underscores ongoing infrastructure vulnerabilities in mountainous rural corridors when heavy precipitation and rapid temperature shifts combine. Rockslides and debris flows can appear with little warning in steep canyons, especially after heavy rain on melting snowpacks. For Las Animas County, maintaining safe travel through such terrain depends on timely clearance operations and continued monitoring of slopes prone to instability.
Crews will remain at the scene until the road is cleared and safety assessments are complete. Motorists are advised to follow posted detours and county communications for the latest information. KOAA and county emergency management are listed as the sources reporting the closure, detour, and contributing weather conditions. The county will update residents when officials determine the road can be reopened safely.
