ASPEN, Colo. (AP) – Colorado transportation officials have closed Colorado 82 over Independence Pass for the season.
The narrow, winding stretch had been scheduled to close for the season Nov. 7.
The Colorado Department of Transportation initially said it would close the pass temporarily Tuesday because of snow and ice. But with up to 8 inches of new snow east of the pass and a forecast of more snow starting Friday, transportation officials decided Wednesday to keep the pass closed until spring.
DENVER (AP) – A fast-moving storm moving across Colorado dumped up to a foot of snow and produced 3-foot snowdrifts on parts of the Eastern Plains.
Forty flights were canceled at Denver International Airport overnight, but airport officials said Wednesday that number was not unusual for a typical day.
Crews were working to repair power lines snapped by snow-heavy trees in the Greeley area. Xcel Energy Inc. says there were 597 Greeley-area customers without power Wednesday afternoon, down from 5,000 earlier.
Snow was expected to fall on the far Eastern Plains through the afternoon, and strong winds could create blizzard conditions.
Snow totals included a foot in Elbert County, 10 inches in Mesa County, 9 inches in Castle Rock and 11 inches in Conifer.
Breckenridge got about 8 inches. Glenwood Springs received only an inch of snow.