Interstate 25 will be closed before, during and immediately after the Oct. 3 presidential debate at the University of Denver, but the details and detours were still being worked out Tuesday evening.

“We have to do this for the safety of the candidates and the public, as well,” said Colorado Deparment of Transporation spokeswoman Stacey Stegman.

The debate between President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney is from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., but the closure could affect the rush hour commute and last until after the debate is over.

CDOT is expected to announce more specific plans on Wednesday, including detours.

“There are still a lot of details that have to be worked out,” Stegman said Tuesday evening.

DU is located off South University Boulevard, and the debate hall, Magness Arena, is about four blocks south of the interstate.

In August 2008, CDOT closed 5.5 miles of I-25 from 5:30 p.m. until about 9 p.m. for Obama’s nomination- acceptance speech at what was then Invesco Field at Mile High .

Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174, jbunch@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joeybunch