What are these Strange Objects + what Does Colorado Use them For?

For many years, Colorado has used different means to control avalanches, including explosives like dynamite. These avalanches are purposely triggered in order to minimize the risk of a disaster happening on its own which could easily result in harm for anyone close enough.

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While using dynamite sounds pretty cool, the Colorado Department of Transportation has almost completely transitioned into controlling avalanches using what are referred to as "eggs."

What Are Colorado's Avalanche Eggs + How Do They Work?

These spaceship-looking eggs are not UFOs, but rather a means to remotely trigger avalanches around Colorado.

During the summer months, the eggs are put into storage and are filled with a gas which is an integral part of triggering the avalanches.

Once winter rolls around, CDOT takes the eggs filled with the gas to places such as the mountains that border I-70 and are left there for the entire season.

They are carried via helicopter to all of the places that CDOT determines are the most useful for triggering avalanches.

Once placed, the eggs are detonated remotely which releases some of the gas from the bottom of the egg, effectively triggering avalanches as safely as possible.

Each egg is equipped with an antenna, and the gas that the eggs are filled with lasts all winter long.

There are numerous types of these eggs, some of which actually explode, but all are detonated remotely to ensure the most safety for anyone involved.

[CBS Colorado]