Rock Slide Closes Highway 50 Near Salida

COTOPAXI, Colo. (CBS4) - Transportation crews on Tuesday were at the site of a large rock slide on Highway 50 that closed the highway west of the Royal Gorge.

It's not clear how long the highway will be closed, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

CDOT closed Highway 50 from State Highway 9 at the Royal Gorge to Salida after the slide, which happened Monday afternoon. The department wrote that "there is some local access available. Through traffic is being detoured via State Highway 9 to Hartsel, U.S. 24 west to Johnsons Village, and U.S. 285 south to Salida and Poncha Springs."

A geologist who works for CDOT is evaluating the slide to see if more rocks will need to be brought down from the mountainside before cleanup can begin.

It's not clear right now if the highway is damaged.