Mudslides forced the evacuation of the Cottonwood Lake campground in Chaffee County Thursday night into Friday, on the eve of the Fourth of July weekend.
Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze said Cottonwood Lake on County Road 344 saw heavy thunderstorms around 4:30 p.m., which caused at least six mudslides.
The slides were at least 100 feet long and from three to 15 feet deep, Spezze said.
There were no injuries or damage that Spezze knew of, but the campground was evacuated for safety concerns.
As of 9:30 p.m., Spezze said the entrance to the campground was open and that people were being asked to leave.
“We’re closing the campground at least through tomorrow because the ground above the access road is not stable, and it’s supposed to rain again,” he said.
The Red Cross initially put up shelters when the access road was closed, but Spezze said now that folks could safely leave, he did not believe anyone would need the shelter.
Elizabeth Hernandez: 303-954-1223, ehernandez@denverpost.com or
