GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - Representative Lauren Boebert is currently taking action to reopen the I-70 corridor through Glenwood Canyon. This comes after severe mudslides and flash flooding blocked several portions of I-70, burying the road in as much as 10 feet of mud, tearing down retaining walls, and damaging the roadway.

Representative Boebert, along with Governor Jared Polis are preparing to request a federal disaster declaration this week which would provide Colorado with federal resources to respond to this natural disaster. This comes after the Governor issued a state disaster declaration on Friday because of the damage from mudslides that forced the I-70 closure through Glenwood Canyon.

“We’ve seen I-70 closures before but mudslides & damage to this extent isn’t just an inconvenience,” said Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. “It’s a disaster that has created a real emergency for folks on the western slope who rely on this Interstate for essential goods & services.”

Representative Boebert has been actively monitoring the I-70 mudslides, and she received a briefing from Governor Polis and CDOT today. Congresswoman Boebert pledged to offer her full support to secure federal disaster assistance. She is planning to visit portions of the Interstate this week to see firsthand what needs to be done.

“We’re talking about people’s lives & livelihoods here. And we’ve got to get it reopened as soon as possible. Last week I announced I’ll be leading a bipartisan letter with the entire Colorado house of representatives delegation urging President Biden to approve Governor Polis’s request for a federal disaster declaration,” said Congresswoman Boebert.

Additionally, Representative Boebert plans to send a letter to the Department of Transportation to ask for help from the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, after the Governor makes this official request.

Read the full article at KJCT8