Historic avalanche danger caused havoc in the Colorado mountains Thursday, shutting down portions of two highways and prompting a rare warning for drivers to avoid a route leading to some of the state's busiest ski resorts. A few hours later another avalanche ruptured a natural gas line to the east near Copper Mountain ski resort. Crews had not been able to repair the break because of the ongoing avalanche danger, Xcel Energy spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo said. The avalanche danger in the central mountains was rated as extreme, the highest rating. One intentionally triggered avalanche near the town of Empire reached Interstate 70 for the first time since 1957.

Source: ABC News March 07, 2019 17:49 UTC