CLEAR CREEK/SUMMIT COUNTIES, Colo. (KDVR) — UPDATE (July 25, 3:20 p.m.): CDOT has lifted the safety closure of Loveland Pass after mudslides closed the highway for a day and a half.

ORIGINAL: The Colorado Department of Transportation said Loveland Pass will remain closed until Sunday night as debris cleanup from flooding near Arapahoe Basin is taking longer than expected.

A CDOT spokesperson said crews worked throughout the day Saturday trying to clear mud and debris from the area. 

“We have equipment and crew on site, clearing out the debris and the mud was covering the road,” Bob Wilson said. “It has been quite a challenge, however, because we have two creeks that are coming in at the same place, and that’s exacerbating the mudflow through the area.”

CDOT closed Loveland Pass twice on Friday and it remained closed late into the evening.

A safety closure of US 6 over the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel was issued for the second time around 7:40 p.m. Friday, only a few hours after reopening the road.

The original closure was announced just before 5 p.m. and lasted about an hour.

Loveland Pass is US 6 between mile marker 222 and mile marker 226 and is an alternate route for Interstate 70.

Wilson said it’s unclear what caused the mudslides that were triggered Friday afternoon. 

CDOT said while the pass is closed, hazmat vehicles that normally use the pass will have to stage at the Eisenhower Tunnel. 

That will mean hourly closures for drivers as those vehicles are escorted through the tunnel on Sunday.  Wilson said drivers should frequently check the CDOT website for closures.

“It’s just know before you go, because we have so many types of incidents occurring throughout the state,” he said.