Colorado gets a snow day and Georgetown closes to visitors as snow strands hundreds of travelers

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Major Colorado Snowstorm Hits, Drops Over 2 Feet of Snow in Places

A major Colorado snowstorm arrived overnight Wednesday, dropping more than 2 feet of snow in some areas of the Front Range foothills and up to 10 inches across metro Denver by early Thursday. The storm is forecast to continue, with Denver expecting over a foot of snow and some foothills areas more than 4 feet by Friday morning. Breaks in snowfall are sparse, particularly at lower elevations. Heavier snowfall is set to redevelop Thursday afternoon, with snowfall rates increasing significantly. Major highways face potential closures due to adverse conditions. In response to the severe weather, Georgetown declared a code red emergency as stranded travelers filled available accommodations, leading to the opening of a church shelter for those in need.

Read more about the storm’s impact: National Weather Service

School Closures Announced Across Front Range

School districts across the Front Range, including Denver Public Schools and Douglas County School District, have announced closures due to the severe snowstorm. The list of closed districts extends to Cherry Creek School District, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, and several others, affecting a wide area of the Denver Metro. Residents are urged to check their local school district’s website before attempting to travel.

Read more on school closures: Denver Public Schools

Georgetown Declares Code Red Emergency Amid Snowstorm

Georgetown, in Clear Creek County, declared a code red emergency last night, signaling the town has reached its capacity due to the snowstorm. The emergency was declared as hundreds of stranded travelers, diverted from I-70, filled every available hotel room. For those unable to find accommodations, a local church has opened its doors as a shelter for the night.

Read more on the emergency measures in Georgetown: CBS News Colorado

Boulder Addresses Homelessness During Snowstorm

Despite the severe weather, Boulder has decided not to open emergency warming shelters for those experiencing homelessness. However, the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless is expanding its capacity to accommodate more individuals during the storm. This decision comes amidst a broader conversation on how cities manage homelessness during extreme weather events.

Read more on Boulder’s response to homelessness: Boulder Shelter for the Homeless

Virtual Townhall to Discuss Boulder Police-Involved Shooting

The Boulder District Attorney is set to hold a virtual townhall regarding the decision not to file charges in a December police-involved shooting. The shooting, involving a woman with an air-powered gun, was one of three fatal officer-involved incidents in 2023. The public is invited to submit questions ahead of the townhall, with details for joining the meeting available online.

Read more and join the townhall: Boulder Reporting Lab