Suspicious Object, Determined Not Explosive, Taken Into Custody 

WESTERN SLOPE – Colorado Hwy. 50, from Montrose to Gunnison, was reopened at approximately 10:30 p.m. Thursday night, following a three-hour investigation that determined a suspicious object found near the highway was not explosive, but worth further investigation nonetheless.

According to the Colorado State Patrol, on Thursday, March 7, at approximately 5 p.m., a Colorado Department of Transportation worker found a suspicious object containing unknown contents on a pole at the Dillon Pinnacles overlook area adjacent to Blue Mesa Reservoir, approximately five miles east of the Gunnison County Blue Mesa Dam.

A decision was quickly made to close the highway and secure the area by law enforcement officials; the Colorado State Patrol hazardous materials crews and Grand Junction Bomb Squad responded to evaluate and assist.

The bomb squad quickly determined the item was not explosive, and not a hazardous material, but took it into custody for further testing and evaluation.

During the response time (approximately 7:30-10:25 p.m.), Highway 50 was shut down in both directions from Montrose to Gunnison. 

No information has been released about the container and its contents.