LOOK – It’s so hot in Colorado that the pavement in Boulder County is literally buckling

You know it’s hot in Colorado when the ground itself starts giving up.

The City of Boulder warned residents Tuesday (July 14) that high temperatures are causing concrete pavement to buckle along paths in Boulder County, including sections of the U.S. 36 Bikeway — and the problem has already sent cyclists to the ground.

The issue happens when sustained heat causes concrete slabs to expand beyond the available space at their joints. When there’s no room left, the pavement heaves upward, creating sudden, jagged bumps that are nearly invisible at bike speed. Boulder officials say the damage has been concentrated along Highway 36 paths, and crews are actively working on repairs — but warned that buckling could continue as high temperatures are expected to stick around through the rest of the week.

It’s not just an inconvenience. A woman was significantly injured Tuesday while cycling on the U.S. 36 Bikeway near Louisville after encountering buckled pavement, according to Colorado Hometown Weekly. The city said it has received “several reports” of bike crashes linked to trail heaving and is urging riders to slow down, particularly during peak afternoon heat. Boulder’s public works department said it wasn’t even aware of the buckling at that location before Wednesday morning.

For context, this isn’t just a Boulder problem. Extreme heat has been causing roads and pathways to buckle across the country and into Canada this week, with Manitoba reporting blow-ups on multiple highways over the weekend.  In Colorado, extreme heat watches hit parts of the Western Slope last weekend with temperatures approaching 108 degrees, and the Front Range has been baking in triple-digit-adjacent heat all week.

The city is asking residents to report any additional buckling they spot and reminding everyone of what Coloradans already know deep in their sun-scorched bones: It’s July, it’s the Front Range, and the sun is not your friend.