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Avalanche Danger High In Northern, Central Colorado

DENVER (AP) — The avalanche danger is heightened in Colorado's northern and central mountains after more snow fell on New Year's.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said Thursday that the risk of slides is considerable near and above treeline in the Front Range mountains, the Vail area, Summit County and around Steamboat Springs and the Flattops Wilderness.

Road crews triggered some avalanches on Interstate 70 west of the Eisenhower Tunnel in the morning to protect drivers.

Persistent slab avalanches are the main threat. That's when a thick layer of hard snow breaks loose from a weak, deep layer of snowpack underneath.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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