The National Weather Service in Grand Junction issued a flood advisory for arroyos and small streams in south-central Montezuma County, including Mesa Verde National Park, until 10 p.m. Monday.
An advisory is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely, the weather service said.
The warning came several hours after mudslides closed Imogene Pass, Bridal Veil Road and the Via Ferrara near Telluride and stranded several hikers and drivers. The Bridal Veil Road and Trail and Via Ferrata reopened about 10 p.m.
The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook that at least 40 people were directly affected by the slides.
“More than two dozen people hiked out without assistance, and about 12 vehicles drove down after Road and Bridge created safe road conditions for them to complete the drive down,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Boulders the size of small refrigerators were seen tumbling down, and debris will require clearing.”
Multiple agencies including San Miguel County Search and Rescue, the Telluride Marshal’s Office and Telluride Fire Protection District EMS responded to the scene.
The San Miguel County Road and Bridge Department worked with heavy equipment to provide a way for vehicles to descend the road, but nearby Imogene Pass was expected to be closed Tuesday for mitigation work.
The Sheriff’s Office first posted information about the slide at 3 p.m., reporting that passage in the Bridal Veil area was possible on foot only.