BEULAH ~ Beulah, Colorado - Governor Jared Polis made a visit to the intersection of CO 165 and CO 78 near Beulah today to witness the remarkable reconstruction of a bridge that was destroyed in the Aspen Acres fire. The bridge, which was burned down on June 30th, was rebuilt overnight by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) workers.

The Aspen Acres fire had caused significant damage to the area, including destroying this crucial bridge. However, thanks to the quick action and dedication of CDOT workers, emergency responders now have access to the area for fire response efforts.

Governor Polis expressed his admiration for the bravery and collaboration displayed by Coloradans during this time of need. He commended the state workers for their creativity, commitment, and dedication in rebuilding the bridge in under 11 hours. "I was proud to hear how CDOT workers came together to rebuild this bridge and thank them," said Governor Polis.

More on TelAve News

• LawProactive Launches SB 37-Compliant Attorney Marketing Software With Exclusive City Territories Across California
• Cogs and Marvel expands EMEA leadership team for next phase of growth
• Dave Freer's "Storm-Dragon" Wins First-Ever Prometheus Special Award For Young Adult Fiction
• T. Jones Group Celebrates Two Wins and Multiple Project Nominations at the 2026 HAVAN Awards
• Studica Robotics Supports Robotics Training Camp for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew also praised the efforts of her team in ensuring safe access for communities in the Pueblo area. She specifically mentioned Southeastern Colorado Maintenance Superintendent Jeff VanMatre as one of the senior leaders who played a crucial role in this project. "Our colleagues worked through the night to create a temporary bridge structure that keeps an important ingress and egress point open for first responders and evacuees," said Lew.

The CDOT employees, under VanMatre's leadership, came up with an innovative solution that fixed the bridge in less than 11 hours. They used corrugated metal pipes as makeshift culverts and recycled asphalt to quickly rebuild the bridge. This impressive effort cost between $125,000 and $150,000 but allowed emergency responders to access the area for important fire response efforts.

Despite facing challenges such as snow or fire, CDOT is always ready to respond with ingenuity and urgency. The swift reconstruction of this bridge is a testament to their dedication and commitment to serving the community.

---

Show All News | Disclaimer | Report Violation