News

The Rocky Mountains in Colorado make for some of the most stunning views in the nation. As any regional truck driver can tell you, though, the highways through the Rockies go through some pretty extreme terrain. Those soaring snow-capped peaks bring heavy snow, strong wind, and in the most extreme cases: avalanches.

In winter, Colorado can have hundreds of avalanches in a week. While many occur in the back country far from any roads, some of the state’s most well-traveled roads are at high risk as well. Yes, that includes I-70 and HWY 40, plus the Red Mountain Pass. If your route takes you through these roads, then avalanche risks are a reality.

The good news is that avalanche paths are heavily monitored, but even so, avalanches can be a threat. It helps to be prepared (and this goes for all motorists, too!).

Here’s a five-minute guide to avalanche safety as a Colorado truck driver, and how you can keep yourself safe if the worst happens.

Expect road closures due to avalanche control

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) tracks and monitors avalanche-prone areas near the state’s highways. If the risk of an avalanche is imminent, CDOT will start a controlled avalanche first (here’s footage of a controlled avalanche on I-70).

Controlled avalanches can shut down roads for hours at a time. This can obviously throw a wrench into your delivery schedule, so plan ahead as much as possible.

• Check cotrip.org or call 511 to find out if any controlled avalanche work is scheduled for your route. You can set up travel alerts for planned avalanche mitigation, too.
• If so, notify dispatch as soon as possible to make adjustments to your trip.

Be prepared

Even without the threat of avalanches, Colorado mountain highways in winter can force you to get off the road. Carry a well-stocked survival kit in your rig at all times to ensure you have enough food and water (we have some great tips on building a survival kit here). This will keep you well-stocked if an avalanche puts you hours behind schedule.

This should help you complete your run with only minor setbacks. Even the most prepared driver can be at risk of an avalanche in Colorado, though. Here’s what you can do if you’re ever caught in the crosshairs of one.

If you’re hit by an avalanche

The risks of being hit by an avalanche as a regional truck driver are low, but not impossible. Here’s what to do if you and your rig get caught in one.

• Stay as calm as possible. Easier said than done, sure, do your best to keep your head clear and your rig upright. Keep your seatbelt on as well.
• Stay in your cab. Even if you’re only partially buried, don’t attempt to get out of your truck. The snow may be unstable, still moving, or carrying heavy objects like trees and boulders.
• Check if your CB is working, then radio for help. If you can spot any other motorists who have been buried by the avalanche, let first responders know.
• Shut off the engine. Suffocation is a very real risk. Your exhaust stacks could be partially or completely blocked by snow. Running the engine could quickly fill your cab with carbon monoxide.
• Preserve body heat. Next to suffocation, hypothermia is also a risk right now. Put on your winter coat. If you have a heat-retaining blanket, open it and wrap it around yourself. Keep yourself warm until help arrives.

In the rare chance you’re hit by an avalanche in your rig, these steps should keep you safe until you’re rescued.

The most important thing to remember? Getting hit by an avalanche on Colorado’s highways is unlikely. Pay attention to updates, keep your rig well-stocked, and you should have smooth trips all winter long.

For those who love mountain driving, they’d rather be winding through the Rockies than anywhere else. If that sounds great to you, then visit our job opportunities page and join Truline today.