Colorado’s First Major Snowstorm of the Season Brings Chaos and Devastation
Colorado experienced its first major snowstorm of the season on Friday, causing havoc across the Front Range and Eastern Plains. The storm dumped nearly 3 feet of snow in some areas, leading to the closure of government offices, schools, and major interstates.
Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for the storm, allowing the Colorado National Guard to assist those affected and activating the state emergency operations center.
The Southern Colorado, Eastern Plains, and mountains were hit the hardest, with Cuchara receiving at least 35 inches of snow, Rye and Genoa getting 28 inches, and Pinecliffe seeing 22 inches. In the Denver area, 9 inches of snow fell, while Aurora received 13 inches and Highlands Ranch and Lakewood got 15 inches.
The freezing temperatures caused a tragic apartment fire in Lakewood, which started early Friday morning due to a space heater intended to prevent frozen pipes. The fire destroyed an apartment building, resulting in the loss of two cats and displacing four people.
Despite the Lakewood fire, the storm’s main impact was on travel, with road closures causing major disruptions across Colorado. While there were no significant crashes reported by law enforcement agencies, Xcel Energy did not report any widespread power outages.
To prevent further incidents, the Colorado Department of Transportation banned commercial motor vehicles and trailers from most highways and interstates. This restriction aimed to minimize spinouts that require extensive resources to clear and often lead to prolonged closures.
Travelers passing through Denver International Airport also faced challenges, with over 1,300 canceled or delayed flights on Friday. The snow is expected to taper off by Saturday afternoon, but travel disruptions may continue throughout the weekend.
