County Road 361, also known as Camp Bird Road, is indefinitely closed to both foot and vehicle traffic after a rockfall event that triggered county officials to issue an emergency disaster order.

The rockfall event was first reported to county officials on the afternoon of Feb. 25. Ouray County Road and Bridge Superintendent Ty Barger and the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office temporarily closed the area — 3.5 miles from U.S. Highway 550 and roughly 200 yards after Senator Gulch gate — on Feb. 26.

Outside engineering firm, Buckhorn Engineering, also reviewed drone footage of the area on the afternoon of Feb. 26 and determined the situation as “life-threatening” and not safe for any mode of traffic.

This image is a screenshot from drone footage collected by Ouray County on Wednesday. The orange dot in the middle of the image, on the rock pile, is a person. Image courtesy Ouray County

The engineering firm reported more rockfall was likely to occur due to fluctuating temperatures. County officials also reported significant damage to a retaining wall in the area.

County officials issued the emergency disaster due to the severity of the disaster and the equipment required for repair. An emergency disaster ordinance is set to be ratified during the commissioners’ regular meeting on Tuesday, March 4.

The county is awaiting analyses from two geotech firms and a company specializing in retaining wall construction.

The public is not allowed in the area during this closure. The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office said it would enforce any violations of this closure until the county receives more information and decides a path forward.