U.S. Highway 550’s Red Mountain Pass between Silverton and Ouray has reopened as of 4:45 p.m. after debris and mudslides closed the highway for a short time Monday.

Lisa Schwantes, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation, said the highway was closed around 3 p.m. at mile marker 83, near Ironton, about 8 miles south of Ouray.

At 4:45 p.m., Schwantes was informed crews were able to fully reopen the road.

The return of monsoons to Southwest Colorado has brought heavy rains the past few days. The region is under a flash-flood watch until 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

Schwantes said the risk for debris and mudslides running across Southwest Colorado’s roads remains high.

“Even when we’re able to get this open, we have to be prepared for anything else,” she said.

jromeo@duranogherald.com