Letter: Another impact of I-70 closures
As the state, counties and towns along the I-70 corridor from Idaho Springs through Vail grapple with how to get trucks to put chains on their tires during the winter, I encourage them to remember there’s more to this problem than fines and fees for jack knifed vehicles persistently causing dangerous road closures. My daughter and 6-year-old grandson were stranded on I-70 for nine hours because of a road closure in 2024. There are no emergency services to accommodate individuals trying to seek shelter from the storm.
Thinking differently about how to address this growing issue, we need to fund an emergency response plan for thousands of individuals stranded on I-70. Here are just a few ideas for what could be part of a solution: each town receives funds to open their churches, libraries, schools, community centers, food banks and other places to accommodate people with food and lodging. In addition to first responders, utilizing the emergency lanes, a designated group of local volunteers or paid individuals should be available to go car to car to determine if there are immediate needs. A partnership with VRBO and Airbnb could be established to house individuals at a discounted rate.
We are a state of bright creative individuals. The time is now to take action. Another winter has gone by with more closures. Fortunately, I-70 is an interstate commerce road connecting communities from western Maryland to western Utah. All communities benefit from the commerce of the highway. Colorado has the obligation to help all constituents using this highway in Colorado.
“There is no room in the inn” attitude doesn’t cut it anymore. We can do better!
Franny Ryan
East Vail
