Denver, CO
Heavy, wet snow brings much of Denver, foothills to a standstill. Unless you had a shovel. Or a sled.
![Heavy, wet snow brings much of Denver, foothills to a standstill. Unless you had a shovel. Or a sled. Heavy, wet snow brings much of Denver, foothills to a standstill. Unless you had a shovel. Or a sled.](https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TDP-L-snow031424-cha-2492.jpg?w=1024&h=683)
After lulling Coloradans into visions of an early spring, the month of March worked hard Thursday to live up to its reputation as the state’s snowiest, dumping a foot and more of snow in the foothills and across metro Denver and closing schools, local government offices, businesses and roads.
Warmer, sunnier weather at the start of the week slid into cooler, stormier conditions. Starting Wednesday evening, rain and winds hit the mountains, turning into wet, heavy snow that then rolled across the Denver area. More than 2 feet of snow fell at higher elevations, reaching 36 inches in Conifer, nearly 24 inches in Golden and 9 inches in Denver.
Although the snow lightened throughout the day in many places, forecasters and state highway officials said the storm wasn’t over. National Weather Service meteorologist Russell Danielson in Boulder said 4 to 8 more inches could fall by Friday morning and the slightly above-freezing temperatures will drop, transforming slushy roads to icy ones.
The brunt of the storm was expected to ease by morning, the weather service said.
School districts throughout metro Denver and northern Colorado canceled classes Thursday and some, including Denver Public Schools and the Douglas County School District, also canceled Friday classes.
Government offices from Boulder to Colorado Springs were closed due to snow. The Colorado General Assembly took a snow day, too.
In some cases, people who showed up to work got to leave early. Michelle Swaisgood was waiting outside her workplace, Athletic Lettering in Arvada, for her husband to pick her up. The business, which customizes letter jackets and other sports team apparel, closed before noon because of a power outage.
Swaisgood thought she would spend the rest of the snowy, work-free afternoon watching movies. “We already have our shoveling done because we are early rising people.”
The storm caused hundreds of scattered power outages across metro Denver as of Thursday evening, affecting a total of close to 82,000 customers stretching from Boulder to Castle Rock and from Aurora to Clear Creek County near Georgetown. Xcel Energy, the state’s largest electric utility, said nearly 345 crew members were working to restore power.
Operations were normal at Denver International Airport, where only about an inch had fallen by Thursday afternoon. However, more than 800 flights were canceled and another 245 were delayed, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. Airport spokeswoman Stephanie Figueroa said nearly all the cancellations were made preemptively Wednesday evening.
Travel by ground remained hazardous in spots throughout Thursday. The Colorado Department of Transportation issued a travel alert around 12:35 p.m., asking travelers to be prepared for highway closures and extended delays and to have food, water, blankets and other items in their vehicles.
Interstate 70 was closed between Denver and Silverthorne for part of Thursday. It was reopened to passenger vehicles in the afternoon but the eastbound lanes were closed again by evening after multiple accidents and slide-offs. The highway was to remain closed to commercial vehicles between Eagle/Vail and Morrison until noon Friday, CDOT said.
Interstate 25 over Monument Hill will likely be closed due to safety concerns through Thursday evening, according to CDOT.
![A pedestrian makes their way across West Colfax Ave. as a major snowstorm dumps snow in Lakewood on March 14, 2024. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)](https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TDP-L-Snowstorm-RJS-39708.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Despite city officials’ repeated urgings in the leadup to the storm to stay off the roads, spots were at a premium Thursday afternoon in the upper parking lot at Ruby Hill Park in west Denver. By 2 p.m., upwards of 100 people, ranging from young children towing sleds to 20-somethings strapping on ski and snowboarding boots, were swarming the spot known for its sledding hill and Ruby Hill Rail Yard skiing and snowboarding areas.
“When I-70 is closed there are only so many places you can go,” said Lane Parker as she stood at the top of the sledding hill alongside her sister-in-law Autumn Gardner.
While activity was humming at Ruby Hill, traffic was light on South Broadway in Denver’s Baker neighborhood. Several businesses along the usually busy thoroughfare had “Closed” signs on their doors.
![Benicio Barela, 6, goes sledding at Ruby Hill Park in Denver on Thursday, March 14, 2024. A major snowstorm arrived overnight Wednesday and has already dropped more than 2 feet of snow in some areas of the Front Range foothills. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)](https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TDP-L-snow031424-cha-2442.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
But coffee shops and restaurants on Broadway still attracted clientele. Ten minutes after opening, Postino Broadway had already seated two tables. At Snooze, a breakfast and brunch restaurant, eight tables were occupied and there was a slight wait at the host stand.
Those looking to enjoy the snow on the slopes had fewer choices Thursday. Eldora, Loveland, Arapahoe Basin and Echo Mountain ski areas announced closures for the day. Eldora reported 30 inches of snow overnight and snow slides on its access road, according to the ski area’s website.
People were advised to scratch any plans for camping Friday in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said on the social media platform X that the area west of Golden had gotten 36 inches of snow by Thursday morning.
“We won’t be dug out by tomorrow,” the CPW post said.
The arts also got snowed out. The Denver Art Museum was closed Thursday. All shows at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts were canceled. Cirque du Soleil’s show “Crystal” at Ball Arena was called off Thursday.
![A worker with a snow shovel negotiates heavy, wet snow in the University Hills King Soopers parking lot in Denver on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)](https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TDP-L-DENVER-SNOW_JAC5341.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
A low-pressure system that stalled out unleashed the snow along the Front Range. March is historically Colorado’s snowiest month and it’s not unusual for the Denver area to be battered by big snow storms then. An average of 11.5 inches of snow falls in Denver in March, making up about 20% of the city’s average yearly cumulative snow total.
This week’s storm, though, stands out, Paul Schlatter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boulder, said.
“Normally the storm system will slowly move across the Colorado-New Mexico border and just kind of meander its way eastward there,” Schlatter said. “This one is actually diving straight south over Arizona.”
And a “really strong easterly upslope flow” is pulling moisture in from Iowa and Nebraska, he added. “Once the easterly flow gets to the mountains, the eastern slopes get dumped on.”
March snow storms are typically wet, but this one is packed with moisture, Schlatter said. When the numbers from an unusually moist snow in early February are added, he expects this to be the area’s second-wettest start of the year.
Because of the heavy, wet snow, many homeowners tried to get a jump on the accumulation by getting out to shovel for the first time early Thursday morning.
In the Washington Park neighborhood, Ian Peterson was out and busy clearing the sidewalks around the block at Pearl Street and Fourth Avenue.
“I have this thing, so It’s easy,” Peterson said, pointing to his snow blower. Many residents who waited longer didn’t have the luxury of using snowblowers. The snow was too heavy by then.
Down the street from Peterson, Jenn Prileszky was watching as her three children were helping a neighbor build a snow fort. She said her kids heard the snow blower going and wanted to get outside.
“This is our first winter in Colorado so the snow is still kind of a novelty,” said Prileszky, whose family recently moved from Georgia.
Denver Post reporters Joe Rubino, Noelle Phillips, Katie Langford, Jacob Factor, Elizabeth Hernandez, John Wenzel, John Meyer and Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton contributed to this report.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Denver, CO
Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel
The Portland Trail Blazers, when healthy, don’t match up well with the Denver Nuggets.
On Monday, the Blazers lost 146-117 at Denver while playing without Robert Williams III and Jerami Grant. Both are questionable for Wednesday night’s rematch.
Scoot Henderson (ankle) and Deandre Ayton (calf) are out.
Should all four miss the game, the Blazers would have virtually zero chance to win.
Denver destroyed the Blazers in virtually every statistical category on Monday. Losing Ayton and Henderson dramatically impacts the team’s ability to score in the paint, where the Nuggets held an 88-46 advantage in the first game.
The Blazers’ best shot to win would be to get hot from three-point range. Anfernee Simons, Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe have the ability to do so, but it’s unlikely all three will get going enough on the same night to give Denver much trouble.
Prediction: The Nuggets could take the Blazers lightly, resulting in a relatively close game, if they put forth a better overall effort than they did on Monday.
But it would be reasonable for the Blazers to be cautious and not play Grant or Williams, with this being the final game before the All-Star break.
If just one sits out, along with Henderson and Ayton, the Blazers will absolutely leave Denver with another loss.
• • •
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS AT DENVER NUGGETS
What: Trail Blazers (23-31) at Nuggets (35-19), 6 p.m., Wednesday.
Where: Ball Arena, Denver.
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).
TV channel: KATU (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. KUNP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).
How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.
• • •
ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)
Moneyline: POR +295 | DEN -375
Spread: POR +8.5 | Over/Under: 233
INJURIES
Blazers: Robert Williams III (right knee soreness), Jerami Grant (right knee soreness) and Kris Murray (left quad contusion) are questionable. Deandre Ayton (left calf strain), Scoot Henderson (right ankle sprain) and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) are out.
Nuggets: Jamal Murray (left knee inflammation) and Aaron Gordon (right calf injury management) are probable. Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring tightness) is questionable. Russell Westbrook (left hamstring strain), Peyton Watson (right knee sprain). Vlatko Cancar and (left knee surgery), DaRon Holmes (right Achilles tendon repair) are out.
NEXT UP
All-Star break. The Blazers host the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. Feb. 20.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
Denver, CO
Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel?
![Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel? Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel?](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-wy-LZ0YW6gGUKlksvUapHukqe4=/871x322:3713x1810/fit-in/1200x630/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25869675/usa_today_25088219.jpg)
The San Francisco 49ers have decided to put wide receiver Deebo Samuel on the trade block. He joined Los Angeles Rams standout Cooper Kupp as two veteran wide receivers now on the market. For the Denver Broncos, I think of the two only Samuel could make sense and that’s where our SB Nation Reacts survey is going this week.
Denver is among teams listed as best destinations for Deebo. With Courtland Sutton turning 30 this year, Deebo Samuel isn’t that far behind having just turned 29. Sutton is also entering the final year of his contract. Deebo could be a short-term rental that could enhance the weapons available to Bo Nix next season.
The only question is compensation. Here’s the hypothetical: if the compensation lands in a range that you think is in the value range, should the Broncos pull the trigger on a trade? Vote below and I’ll share the results later this week!
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Denver Broncos fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Denver, CO
Denver extends contracts for two homelessness micro-communities, postpones one
![Denver extends contracts for two homelessness micro-communities, postpones one Denver extends contracts for two homelessness micro-communities, postpones one](https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TDP-L-MICRO-COMMUNITIES-003.jpg?w=1024&h=683)
Denver will continue to operate at least two micro-communities for homeless people after the City Council extended their contracts Monday.
The sites are temporary communities using quick-to-build structures and on-site services. They’re intended as a way to move people living in encampments into safer, more stable housing while the city works to connect them with permanent housing.
The sites are part of Mayor Mike Johnston’s All in Mile High homeless initiative, which aims to bring 2,000 people inside this year and 2,000 into permanent housing, he announced in January.
The city has three of the micro-community sites so far, though more may be eventually built.
“Additional sites are not off the table but our priority for 2025 is on accelerating housing placements from current locations and then, as a result of that freed up capacity, getting even more people off the streets,” said Jon Ewing, spokesperson for the mayor. “Long-term stability is the goal.”
Contracts for two of the sites, in the Golden Triangle and Central Park neighborhoods, were extended until the end of the year Monday, costing a combined $3.1 million. A third contract for a site on South Santa Fe, which costs another $1.8 million, was postponed until next week.
Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez postponed the contract after asking several questions about how the city would meet its homelessness goals and saying she wanted to follow up with the operator of the site, Colorado Village Collaborative.
The micro-communities have been scrutinized as the council and the community question their efficacy and security so far.
The South Santa Fe location, located at 2301 S. Santa Fe, has capacity for 60 people, according to the city’s website. The Central Park location, located at 12033 E. 38th Ave, has capacity for 54 people. The Golden Triangle location, located at 1375 N. Elati St, has room for 44 people.
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