Colorado weather: Westbound I-70 reopens as snow dusts Denver, Fort Collins

Updated Oct. 27, 2022 at 12:05 p.m.

Below-freezing temperatures swept through Colorado Thursday morning, but most urban areas are still waiting for their first measurable snowfall of the season. 

Mountain communities received the brunt of the storm. According to National Weather Service reports, towns along I-70 received between 2 to 8 inches of snow, depending on the location. 

Measurements taken at Denver International Airport recorded less than 0.1 inches, the threshold for measurable snowfall. National Weather Service meteorologists say there’s an “outside chance” enough snow sticks in Denver to give the city its first snow of the season. 

Fort Collins was the only city along I-25 to have its first official snow of the season Thursday morning. Last year, Denver had to wait until December for its first snow — tying a disputed all-time record for latest first snow. 

Conditions along I-70 are slippery and dangerous. Multiple stretches of westbound lanes closed for several hours due to car accidents Thursday morning.

One closure near Floyd Hill at exit 247 was due to multiple crashes in the area, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Another closure, near Georgetown, was due to a multi-vehicle crash. 

The Western Slope also saw some significant snowfall. Grand Junction received about half an inch of snow overnight — giving the city its first measurable snowfall of the season. Mountainous areas south of Grand Junction also woke up to four inches of snow that fell overnight. 

The storm is expected to peter out before Friday. 

“Basically the storm is kinda dropping south into the southern Rockies today, so pretty much snow should be decreasing up in the mountains,” Jim Kalina with the National Weather Service said. 

Colorado Springs and Pueblo have remained relatively dry, with no reports of accumulations at either city. The San Luis Valley is expected to experience up to three inches of snow. 

Still, below-freezing temperatures are expected to persist along the Front Range. A freeze watch is in place for the Denver metro area.