Last-minute Christmas shoppers made the best of Christmas Eve on Tuesday, as thousands of people flooded Colorado stores to pick up their final gifts before the holiday. Among the many stores filled with customers was the Scheels in Johnstown.

 “The last few days here at Scheels have been pretty crazy,” said Michael Petersen, assistant store leader. “You can definitely tell the panic on people’s faces. The last-minute shoppers are definitely out. I am one of them, too. They are out in full force today.”

Petersen said he believed one of the main reasons the store was so busy was due to their wide range of products they offer. The company doesn’t specialize in one specific topic or product, but rather seems to sell a little of everything.

They sell everything from food to guns, clothing, sporting goods, furniture, art, shoes and even homemade baked goods.

“We are kind of like your one stop shop, especially for your Christmas list,” Petersen said. “Anything, top to bottom on your Christmas list, you can find them here.”

Some Northern Coloradans said they took note of the wide range of products and intentionally came to the location to look for their items.

“We are out doing some last minute shopping. And we are enjoying it and spreading the spirit. We are out to do smiles and find those last hidden gems,” said Hahn Ainsworth, a local shopper.

Sporting a Christmas-decorated suit jacket, Ainsworth said he was happy to be helping others enjoy the holiday spirit.

“Yeah, lots of compliments and lots of fun. Just trying to bring the joy where you can,” Ainsworth said.

Taylor, Paula and Blair Johnson brought their puppy with them to shop on the final day before Christmas.

“They have a lot of everything,” Taylor said. “We will find something for sure.”

“I love Scheels, it’s an awesome place to be,” Paula said.

“They have a little bit of everything,” Blair said.

Taylor joked that the last-minute gifts they bought were intentionally saved for last.

“We are doing some last-minute Christmas shopping for some of our loved ones that were bottom of our list,” Taylor said.

Scheels closed down their store at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, meaning they won’t reopen until Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m., when many other local businesses will also reopen.

With her shopping for Christmas 2024 officially complete, Paula Johnson said she was looking forward to relaxing for the rest of the holiday.

“I can’t wait to relax and have a nice little cocktail tonight,” Paula said.

It’s looking to be a warm and dry Christmas in Fort Collins, but there may be a glimpse of winter weather ahead. 

Fort Collins is in for a sunny Christmas Eve with an expected high of 54 degrees, with clouds and light wind forecasted heading into the evening and an overnight low of 27, according to the National Weather Service. Christmas Day will likely be much of the same, with some clouds, a high of 50 and low of 24 expected. 

After another warmer day Thursday with a high of 50 degrees, we could get a glimpse at some winter weather Thursday night. There is a slight chance of rain after 11 p.m. that could mix with snow after 1 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. The chance of precipitation Thursday is 20%.

After another warmer weekend — with a high near 47 degrees expected Friday, 54 on Saturday and 57 on Sunday — there’s another chance of rain and snow accompanied by wind Monday, according to the National Weather Service, despite the high temperature Monday expected to be near 52 degrees. 

More: Here are the chances of a white Christmas in Colorado communities

Colorado’s mountains have a much better chance of a white Christmas, with 1 to 3 inches of snow expected around the holidays.

It was a very special holiday season for an Aurora resident recovering after a unique surgery. Doctors push the limits to treat patients, especially during this time of year.

It only takes one look around Anna Aist’s house to see Christmas is her favorite holiday.

“I started to buy those many, many years ago,” Aist told CBS Colorado. 

Aist’s house was ready ahead of Christmas. From the village, to the nutcrackers lining her kitchen, to the handmade pieces of art from her late husband, who passed away this year.

“He loved woodwork,” Aist explained. “He made all of these. This this whole room is Santa.”

It’s almost a year since, Aist’s husband passed away in January. 

“Who would have thought I would have got cancer after that,” Aist said. 

At 84 years young, this is a special Christmas for Aist. She’s still recoverin from surgery after being diagnosed with liver cancer earlier in 2024.

“He told everybody I looked spry, and I passed all the tests except for three, and they had to do with my liver,” Aist said. 

Dr. Raheel Jajja at HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke’s tried a unique liver resection surgery.

“He thinks he got it all, and he took out 10% of my liver,” Aist explained. 

A had specific instructions on when to have the surgery this year.

“I said, if you’re going to do it, do it soon,” Aist   said. “Because I want to be up feeling good for the holidays. That’s one of my favorite things.”

So Aist’s family from all over Colorado will soon be with her to unwrap presents and spend time together. It’s precious time with a patient who has worked hard to make the holiday special.

“And they said they want food, food, food,” Aist said with a positive chuckle.