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Attention: This is not a current document. It is an excerpt from the Web page of the former Colorado governor, Roy Romer. It is displayed by the Colorado State Archives for its historical value.

D 009 98

E X E C U T I V E O R D E R

ROAD CLOSURE EMERGENCY IN ARCHULETA,
GARFIELD, GUNNISON, MESA AND RIO BLANCO COUNTIES

WHEREAS, significant precipitation has impacted the soil conditions in several of Colorado's western slope counties; and

WHEREAS, this precipitation has created super saturated soils and unstable ground conditions; and

WHEREAS, these conditions have caused moisture induced landslides and rockfalls resulting in the blockage or disruption of federal-aid highways including I-70 in Debeque Canyon in Mesa County, SH 13 north of Rifle in Garfield and Rio Blanco County, SH 50 adjacent to the Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County, and SH 160 at Jackson Mountain east of Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County; and

WHEREAS, these conditions are such that there is an imminent threat to isolate communities and a potential life-threatening situation for individuals; and

WHEREAS, the conditions are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the Colorado Department of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, these conditions constitute an emergency as contemplated by the terms of Sections 120 and 125 of Title 23, U.S. Code.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Roy Romer, Governor of the State of Colorado, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim an emergency to exist in the Colorado counties of Archuleta, Garfield, Gunnison, Mesa and Rio Blanco, as a result of landslides and consequent danger to life and property including federal-aid highways. Further, I find that the immediate repair and restoration of damaged highways in these areas is vital to the security, well-being and health of the citizens of the State of Colorado and therefore direct the Department of Transportation to take all actions necessary, including seeking federal assistance, to address the situation. The Federal Highway Administrator is hereby requested to concur in the declaration of this emergency. This declaration shall expire one hundred and twenty days from the below date unless further extended by my order.

GIVEN under my hand and the
Executive Seal of the State of Colorado
this 2nd day of Day of June, 1998.

 

Roy Romer
Governor
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Last modified June 19, 2003