I-70 closure near Morrison: Detours to get around the area near Red Rocks

MORRISON, Colo. — The closure of Interstate 70 due to a crash could impact travel to high school graduation ceremonies planned Thursday at Red Rocks.

Graduation ceremonies were planned for Chatfield High School, Columbine High School and Dakota Ridge High School at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Thursday.

Jeffco Public Schools said they're working to determine what, if any, impact the I-70 shutdown will have on graduations at Red Rocks and that they will share information with families as they have it.

The Colorado Department of Transportation set up U.S. 40 as a detour for this crash. They also suggested using U.S. 285 or U.S. 6. Drivers are advised to avoid the area.

I-70 was closed on the west side of the Denver metro area, near Morrison, for a deadly crash involving a tanker and another vehicle that both caught fire. As of 11:15 a.m., the interstate was closed in both directions between Exit 254 - US 40 and and Exit 260 - 6th Avenue.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said to avoid the area for several hours and that this crash will likely affect the afternoon drive. Both directions of I-70 had to be closed for firefighting efforts.

RELATED: At least 1 killed in big crash, Interstate 70 closed near Golden

Thursday Red Rocks graduations

• Chatfield High School - 9 a.m.
• Columbine High School - 2 p.m.
• Dakota Ridge High School - 7 p.m.

Getting to Red Rocks without westbound I-70 from Denver

• Access Red Rocks Amphitheatre from the south entrance
• Use Alameda Avenue or C-470 to get to the Morrison Road/Bear Creek Avenue exit

Getting to Red Rocks without eastbound I-70 from the mountains

• Access Red Rocks Amphitheatre from the south entrance
• Use Colorado State Highway 74/Bear Creek Road from Idledale 
• Another option is to use U.S. Highway 285 and then Colorado State Highway 8 to Morrison

Drivers can keep track of road conditions at cotrip.org.

The Colorado State Patrol said Thursday morning that a tanker was broken down along the westbound shoulder of I-70 when the a second vehicle slammed into the back of the tanker. CSP said it's not clear at this point why the driver crashed.

The initial crash happened around 9:42 a.m. Thursday, Foothills Fire Rescue said. About 10 minutes later, a fire related to the tanker began on the road and hillside.

A viewer sent in video of flames burning after the crash to 9NEWS:

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