Storm Washes Out Bridges in Evergreen and Kittredge

The overnight storm dumped roughly 6 inches of rain on Evergreen and Kittredge in just two hours, washing out bridges, burying roads in mud, and leaving water marks up to 3 feet high on the sides of homes.

The damage wasn’t abstract. It was physical. Private bridges near Troublesome Gulch in Kittredge were gone. Bear Creek rose rapidly, carrying debris that locals now have to navigate around.

“The storm lingered over the Evergreen area for roughly two hours Wednesday night, dropping about 6 inches of rain,” the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported on its Facebook page, citing unofficial estimates.

The numbers from independent monitoring stations tell a similar story. The CoCoRaHS network, which tracks rainfall across the state, recorded about 3.22 inches of rain a few miles directly west of Kittredge. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported up to 3.5 inches in the Evergreen area, noting that the volume caused “rapid rises” along Bear Creek.

For folks living along the creek, the result was immediate and messy. Reports from Kittredge indicate water line markings on homes reached 2 to 3 feet. That’s not just a damp basement; that’s water that likely pushed through doors and windows. Two private bridges near Troublesome Gulch were washed out.

Jefferson County officials are already managing the cleanup. The Sheriff’s Office noted that entrances to Jefferson County Parks and Open Space may be impacted, meaning access to recreational spots could be restricted until crews clear the debris.

The advice to the public is specific and strict. Avoid driving near Bear Creek in Kittredge. Don’t drive through flood waters. Don’t drive through debris. And don’t try to squeeze past road closures.

“Officials are asking the public to avoid driving near Bear Creek in Kittredge and to avoid driving through flood waters and debris or around road closures,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.

The NWS is urging caution for anyone driving in or near the canyons of Evergreen, Kittredge, Idledale, and Morrison. The roads here are narrow, winding, and prone to sliding when saturated. Add in washed-out bridges and scattered mud, and you’ve got a recipe for gridlock or worse.

But there is a silver lining. The worst of the storm system has likely passed.

“Thankfully, these storms look like they will be moving a little bit faster than they were yesterday,” said Zach Hiris, a meteorologist at the NWS’s Boulder office.

Hiris noted that forecasters are currently monitoring cloud cover and temperature trends. Conditions for Thursday afternoon and Friday will depend on how quickly the sun burns off the clouds. Scattered showers and storms are still possible, particularly on Friday, but the intensity is expected to drop.

Friday is forecasted to be warmer and drier, setting the stage for a “pretty hot and breezy weekend for most of the area,” Hiris said.

The key for residents now is patience. The bridges are out. The mud is drying. The creek is still high. But the heavy rain is moving on.