Road crews reopened Highway 285 near Poncha Pass about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday after a mudslide covered the road.

Officials closed the stretch of highway about 10 p.m. Tuesday because of the mudslide. 

The opening came a bit earlier than anticipated. Early Wednesday morning, crews estimated they would be able to reopen the road between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes said.

Crews worked overnight  to clear the roadway, she said.

Schwantes encouraged drivers to travel earlier in the day in order to beat the mudslide-creating afternoon showers that have menaced drivers in recent weeks. 

“It’s that time of year,” she said. “We’re dealing with the summer monsoon season and that weather cycle.”

Travelers can check cotrip.org for the most up-to-date traffic information.