U.S. 550 was closed in both directions Wednesday morning after a boulder crashed onto the highway near Ouray overnight, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Related Articles Colorado News | Denver’s “Pride of the Points” fire station added to National Register of Historic Places Colorado News | Chef Peter Ho trades in Michelin-recommended Oak for Korean hot pot Colorado News | A federal law mandated outside oversight of crime labs. CBI didn’t use it, watchdogs allege. Colorado News | Colorado’s winter huts blend adventure, luxury, and scenic beauty Colorado News | UCHealth to pay $23 million to settle federal lawsuit over billing fraud allegations The highway is closed over Red Mountain Pass, between Shrine Road near Silverton and Amphiteatre Road near Ouray, according to CDOT. A photo from CDOT officials shows the boulder, which is taller than the bed of a pickup truck, blocking both lanes of the two-lane highway. Crews will need to break the boulder up and downsize it to remove it from the highway, CDOT officials said on Facebook. The work began at dawn, but it’s unknown when the highway will reopen. Travelers should avoid the area and can take an alternate route on Colorado 145 through Telluride. This is a developing story and will be updated. Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.