A crash along Interstate 70 on Saturday left Colorado with one less iconic roadside landmark after a driver slammed into a “Leaving Colorful Colorado” sign.
According to the Lower Valley Fire District, emergency crews were dispatched around 6:13 p.m. near milepost 231 after receiving reports of a vehicle crash. When firefighters arrived, they found a van towing a trailer that had sustained heavy damage.
Investigators said one of the van’s tires blew out while traveling on I-70, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle left the roadway and crashed into the large wooden welcome sign that marks the state line.
Photos shared by the fire district show the sign completely destroyed. The wooden panels were shattered into pieces and scattered across the ground, while the metal support structure was bent over and lying flat.
Fortunately, the driver was able to get out of the vehicle before first responders arrived. Crews evaluated the driver at the scene, but the individual declined transportation to a hospital.
The crash remains a reminder of how quickly a tire failure can turn into a serious incident. While no major injuries were reported, the well-known “Leaving Colorful Colorado” sign wasn’t as lucky and will now need to be replaced.
