Snow causes delays, makes mess of commute

Snow piled up quickly in the area Thursday morning, delaying area school and business openings and making for a messy commute.

Up to 8 inches of snow had fallen in Castle Rock by 8 a.m. The conditions prompted the Douglas County Schools to start 90 minutes late, Douglas County Libraries to open late, at 11 a.m., and the Outlets at Castle Rock to delay its opening until noon.

All Town facilities are open as normal today.

Those going to bed last night, expecting the forecasted trace to 1 inch of snow by morning, were surprised with the heavy snow falling since about 3 a.m.

A dozen snowplows have been working on Castle Rock’s main roads since 4 a.m., and 11 other plows are working their way through all residential areas. Visit CRgov.com/plowtracker for an estimate of when plows will reach your neighborhood.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. Another 1 to 3 inches of snow are expected by then. Winds in the 12 to 20 mph range, with gusts up to 30 mph, may continue to blow around the snow throughout the day, according to Skyview Weather.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is reporting numerous highway closures statewide and saying that morning commutes should be expected to take double the normal amount of time. Check cotrip.org or call 511 for statewide road conditions.

A reminder that residents and business owners must clear the snow from the sidewalks surrounding their properties within 48 hours after the snow stops. Snow should not be shoveled into the street, but rather onto grassy areas. The Town also requests that snow be cleared from fire hydrants, to facilitate easier access in case of emergencies.