A snowplow driver found blood Monday near an abandoned vehicle at the end of Country Road 201, north of Durango, prompting a police investigation that turned up a body, the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office said.

Around 6:20 p.m., the county Road and Bridge Department was moving snow and discovered a pool of blood somewhere near the vehicle, said sheriff’s spokesman Chris Burke. The driver notified deputies.

Burke declined to provide more details, including where the blood and body were found in relation to the vehicle, if a weapon was found and if the incident is being investigated as a homicide.

“We’re looking at all avenues,” Burke said.

He declined to identify the deceased individual because authorities have not notified next of kin.

La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said an autopsy will occur next week. She said the body is a man.

bhauff@durangoherald.com