November 9th 2024.
On Friday, Colorado experienced its first major snowstorm of the season, causing chaos and disruptions across the state. The Front Range and Eastern Plains were hit the hardest, with nearly 3 feet of snow blanketing the area. As a result, government offices, schools, and major interstates were forced to shut down.
Governor Jared Polis took swift action and declared a disaster emergency, allowing the Colorado National Guard to assist those affected by the storm and activating the state emergency operations center. The southern region, Eastern Plains, and mountains received the brunt of the snowfall, with some areas reporting up to 35 inches. Even the Denver area saw significant snow accumulation, with 9 inches reported in the city and up to 15 inches in surrounding areas like Aurora and Highlands Ranch.
Despite the beautiful winter wonderland scenery, the snow and freezing temperatures also brought some devastating consequences. In Lakewood, a fire broke out in an apartment building, caused by a space heater being used to prevent pipes from freezing. Sadly, the fire claimed the lives of two cats and forced four people out of their homes, according to West Metro Fire Rescue.
Aside from the Lakewood fire, the main impact of the storm was felt through travel disruptions and road closures. Thankfully, there were no major accidents reported by law enforcement agencies and power outages were minimal. The Colorado Department of Transportation took preventative measures and banned commercial motor vehicles and trailers from most highways and interstates on Friday night and Saturday morning. This decision was made to reduce the risk of accidents and delays caused by spinouts on the roads.
While the storm may have caused chaos on the ground, it also affected air travel. With over 1,300 flights canceled or delayed at Denver International Airport on Friday, travelers were left stranded and frustrated. The majority of the cancellations were from SkyWest, Southwest, and Frontier airlines.
The storm is expected to subside by Saturday afternoon, but the aftermath will continue to have an impact on the state. Road conditions may still be hazardous, and travelers are advised to proceed with caution. The snow may have caused disruptions, but it also brought a sense of beauty and tranquility to the city, as seen in the snow-covered RTD Union Station stop in Denver.
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