San Miguel County Sheriff - Colorado

05/28/2026

Stage 1 fire restrictions for BLM-managed public lands in the Tres Rios Field Office -- spanning six counties including the western half of San Miguel -- will begin tomorrow and remain in effect until rescinded.

Stage 1 fire restrictions for BLM-managed public lands in the Tres Rios Field Office -- spanning six counties -- will begin tomorrow and remain in effect until rescinded.

Read more ➡️ https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-implements-stage-1-fire-restrictions-6-counties-southwest-colorado

Learn more about BLM Southwest District fire restrictions ➡️ https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district

of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum U.S. Wildland Fire Service

05/28/2026

*Ophir Pass is now open.
Last Dollar Pass is also open; Black Bear and Imogene remain closed.
*Safety reminders: driving on narrow mountain passes requires a 4x4 or AWD vehicle. High clearance SUVs and trucks help protect the undercarriage from rocks and uneven terrain. It is recommended drivers have experience on passes.
*Yielding etiquette: when driving on steep mountain passes, the vehicle traveling downhill must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle traveling uphill. If two vehicles meet on a narrow road where they cannot pass each other, the downhill-traveling vehicle must back up until the uphill-traveling vehicle can safely pass.
For more info on status of passes, go to: https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/406/Road-Conditions

05/26/2026

Traffic Alert Hwy 145 Society Turn Roundabout:
CDOT will be working on guardrail repairs beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Society Turn Roundabout on Highway 145 mm 71, about three miles west of Telluride. Motorists should expect congestion and delays of up to ten minutes. Operations are scheduled for May 27 through June 1 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.�Work continues just west of Society Turn Roundabout which has planned lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September, and motorists will encounter minimal delays up to 5 minutes.
Plan ahead and watch for workers.

05/22/2026

-825pm added photos of clean up by Ground Pounders Excavation with help from Valley crane, JET Trucking and El Chapin Trucking. Big, big thanks!
**3:25pm Both lanes of Hwy 62 now open. Thank you for your patience. This was a tough one!
-145pm One lane now open on Hwy 62 with alternating traffic operating. Note that at this time there is traffic about one mile long eastbound.

*Highway 62 both lanes blocked (alt routes below) thank you for your patience. This is a fluid situation and updates are being put out as available.
-12pm Due to larger vehicles, including campers, going up CR 58P, there is traffic and temporary closures. Do not drive large vehicles, box trucks, campers on CR 58P at all.
-1130am New plan will allow one lane to open once cleared — estimated around 1pm. This will allow for alternating traffic to operate. It is estimated it could take another 6 hours to get both lanes open - will continue to post updates as we get new info.
Can also check COtrip.org
-943am Estimated time of highway to reopen is four hours. Crane still a few hours away. There will not be one-lane alternating traffic because of safety issues.
-915am Equipment on scene working on moving the house. No estimate on when alternating lane can operate safely.
-805am Equipment in route to scene to move the house and debris from roadway in an effort to open one lane alternating traffic.
-727am CSP on scene and advising a crane is in route from Montrose to lift house out of roadway.
-655am A pre-fab house has fallen off the back of a semi-truck blocking both lanes of Highway 62 at mm 9 (about 4 miles West of Dallas Divide). No injuries reported. Unknown estimate on when highway will be clear for travel.
*Alternate routes:
(NOT for heavy trucks)
-Traveling from Placerville to Ridgway, turn right onto CR 56V (Green Meadows Lane, approximately mm 4 on Hwy 62), and and then turn left onto CR 58P to get bac to Hwy 62.
-Traveling from Ridgway to Placerville turn left onto CR 58P (at approximately mm 11 on Hwy 62) and then turn right onto CR 56V or follow CR 58P to Hwy 145 in Sawpit.

05/21/2026

🚩Red Flag Warning Saturday, May 21, 2026 🚩

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning for the western 2/3rds of San Miguel County due to gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, in effect from 1 PM to 7 PM today, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Please note that outdoor burning is prohibited by County Ordinance in areas under a Red Flag Warning. Visit https://www.weather.gov/gjt for more information.

* AFFECTED AREA... Fire Weather Zone 290 Paradox Valley Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area (most of the Egnar and Norwood Fire Protection Districts).
* TIMING...From 1 PM to 7 PM Thursday.
* WINDS...West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...9 to 16 percent.

05/19/2026

Wondering what wildfire professionals are up to when the smoke isn't billowing? Here's what! Work and preparation take place year-round across multiple agencies.

¿Se pregunta qué hacen los profesionales de incendios forestales cuando no hay humo en el aire? ¡Esto es lo que hacen! El trabajo y los preparativos se llevan a cabo durante todo el año en múltiples organismos.

05/18/2026

*Highway 62 caution
1pm update: vehicle has been removed and scene is clear.
Deputies on scene of a single vehicle accident on Highway 62 mm 10 on a blind curve. While there is no lane blockage, deputies are advising motorists to slow down and drive with caution.

05/16/2026

*Please drive with caution:
Local 4-H youth volunteers will be conducting cleanup efforts tomorrow (Sunday) between 10am and noon along Highway 145 between mile markers 101 and 103.5.
We ask all motorists traveling through the area to reduce speed, remain alert, and give workers plenty of space while passing through the cleanup zone.
We appreciate the hard work and community pride these local 4-H students are demonstrating by helping keep our highways clean and beautiful. Thank you for doing your part to help keep everyone safe.

05/16/2026

🚩Red Flag Warning Saturday, May 16, 2026 🚩

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning for the middle part of our county for gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels, in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday, May 16, 2026. Note that outdoor burning is prohibited by County Ordinance in areas under a Red Flag Warning.

* TIMING...From noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday.
* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent.
* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly.

05/15/2026

Please join us in congratulating Deputy Brian Busch on graduating from the Colorado Mesa University Police Academy this week.

Brian serves as our Court Security Officer and also works as a Corrections and Communications Deputy, making him an integral part of our operations at the Sheriff’s Office. His professionalism, dedication, and willingness to step in wherever needed make a tremendous difference to our team and our community.

County and court staff in Telluride know Brian for his friendly and approachable personality, as well as the protective and dependable presence he brings to the courthouse every day.

The Colorado Mesa University Police Academy provides intensive, hands-on law enforcement training designed to prepare recruits for the demands of modern peace keeping and community service.

We are incredibly proud of Brian for this accomplishment and grateful to have him serving our community. Congratulations, Brian!