Colorado decides to reroute highway rather than move rock

8.5 million lb. boulder

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday that his administration has opted not to destroy an 8.5 million pound boulder that destroyed a portion of Highway 145 between Cortez and Telluride during Memorial Day weekend. Instead, the state will shift the course of the highway and make the rock — which is the size of a house — a new landmark.

“We expect that for generations to come, people will have the opportunity to observe this geological masterpiece that we’re calling Memorial Rock," Polis said at a morning news conference, adding the decision will save taxpayers about $200,000.

Total cost for repairs are expected to run about $1.3 million, which some will come from federal emergency dollars, Polis said.

A second, smaller boulder weighing in at about 2.3 million pounds was blown up May 27 clearing a portion of the highway.

Everybody meet Memorial Rock.

We will not be destroying this 8.5 million pound boulder – which is the size of a house. Instead, we’re going to make a new state landmark and save taxpayers money.https://t.co/BlkgnKwBEM

— Jared Polis (@GovofCO) June 4, 2019