How are you coping in these snowstorms? (Denver, Highlands Ranch: hotel, neighborhood)

[LoveBoating]

When I left work yesterday at 2:30PM (work in an office 2 miles north of downtown), it was snowing pretty hard. Heck, from the office, I couldn't even see the downtown buildings! Slowly made it to the I-25 South and had almost "white-out" conditions all the way down I-25 to E-470. Got on the E-470 going towards Parker and the snow/wind got even worse, but was able to make it home. Did make a stop at Albertson's and was shocked at how many shelves were absolutely bare (or close to it). No milk, no bread, no eggs. Got a couple of other things and headed for home.
About 7PM, got a call from my Supervisor telling me that the company will be closed Friday. Fine with me, I'll get paid for the day anyway.
Overnight, looks like only a couple of inches fell, but two backhoes with a shovels attached came through. So, I took my wife to work, but the roads were slick and somewhat icy. It was snowing very lightly when I took her to work at 8AM. Since then, we have had on-and-off flurries.....some heavy, some light.
On my way home from dropping my wife off, I stopped at Walgreens, Safeway and Wal Mart......had no problems driving (had the Durango in 4-wheel) the entire time.
The Weatherman is saying that there are more "waves" of snow to come at us. We'll see what happens.
So far, this storm isn't nearly as bad as the one we had last week. At least not here at our house in Parker.

[TinajaCo]

You can post pictures of bad weather anywhere, including southern California (and I have been there during bad storms, so I know it exists). The fact is that big snowstorms are very rare, as are severe thunderstorms.
Power is rarely out in storms-- at the house I live in now I have never lost power during a storm (instead, it's been when it's very hot, and power demand is at its peak). I do not know of anybody that owns a generator either.

Regarding the current storm, it's actually not too bad. It's not snowing right now, the sidewalks are cleared, and the streets are passable. I just got back from running a few errands-- the post office, grocery store, etc. I also do a lot of mailing for a business I have (hence the trip to the post office), and they told me that the Express Mail shipments were still going out overnight. And we did get regular mail delivery today. It's pretty quiet out and about-- not a lot of people out, but the main streets are pretty clear overall. We're supposed to get more tonight, but for now it's pretty calm.

[LoveBoating]

TinajaCo:
Don't know what you mean by saying "very rare" when I have video and photos of some pretty deep snow and some nasty lightning and downpours since we have been here in Colorado (Englewood & Parker) for the last 5 years.
People here in the Denver metro area sure "downplay" the weather here A LOT. We really pitty those poor So.Calif. people who move here and are told "oh, we do get "some" snow and "some" thunderstorms here". Who are those people trying to fool. Not the wife and I........we KNOW what the weather here can get like.
Good Luck to you folks that are moving here from So Calif! If you were born/raised there, you WILL be in for a "rude awaking" when the hail hits, the lightning streaks across the sky and when you are "knee deep" in snow.

[HDL]

LoveBoating,

There are many here who appreciate your input Don't think just because many have a differing view, that your opinion is not appreciated by us savvy readers

We appreciate Mike from Back East, but even I remember reading a while back a poster who said "Can we get someone's elses opinion who has lived in CO/CS longer?". Each of us can go to the exact same party and come away with different opinions - "That was the BEST party I've ever been to!!!" or "How dull and boring those people were !!"

There is always room for more than one side and I for one appreciate yours

Warmest Holiday Greetings from Boise Idaho and a Happy New Year to all

[BlueWillowPlate]

I spent many, many years in Colorado, and believe me, the power does occasionally go out--in May, in December, whenever. The worst is falling tree limbs, that happens more often in spring. But the good news is that usually power outage is more a matter of hours than days.

[gpraceman]

We have seen power go out a few times since we moved back to CO. Fortunately, it wasn't out for long.

In SoCal, we had to deal with rolling blackouts in the summer due to the extreme heat there. Our last visit to the San Diego area (this last July) it was 115 degrees and the power was out. We haven't seen anything like that here, fortunately.

[COflower]

Well for those of you in the Denver area? The last weather message I looked at, most of you people are out of the worst, not so here. I could be wrong but I don't recall seeing any other warnings or whatever.

Holy cow, this is insane. Despite what other people have said, this is very unsual, especially back to back like this. Yes Colorado gets snow but more often than not, we are under sunny skies and enjoying temps that people use to go to the golf course or take the dog to the dog park. OY!

I want some sun. I am about to insane being stuck in the house.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT
UNTIL 6 AM MST SUNDAY

Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below 7400 Ft- Including...Colorado Springs

...Winter Storm Warning In Effect Until 6 AM MST Sunday...

The National Weather Service In Pueblo Has Issued A Winter Storm Warning...Which Is In Effect Until 6 AM MST Sunday. The Snow And Blowing Snow Advisory Is No Longer In Effect. The Winter Storm Watch Is No Longer In Effect.

Four To 8 Inches Of Additional Snow Will Be Possible Across The Southern El Paso County Area Through Early Sunday. Wind Gusts Of 15 To 30 Mph Will Cause Blowing And Drifting Of Snow. The Heaviest Snow Will Occur North And West Of Colorado Springs With Lesser Amounts Over The Southern Part Of El Paso County. Heavier Snow And Stronger Winds Will Also Be Possible Over The Far Eastern Sections Of Southern El Paso County...Including Areas Such As Ellicott...Yoder And Truckton.

Strong Winds And Reduced Visibility Are Expected Due To Heavy Snowfall And Blowing Snow.

Avoid Travel In The Warning Area. If You Are Planning To Travel In The Warning Area During The Time Of The Warning...Listen To The Latest Weather Forecast And Consider Traveling At Another Time Or By Another Route. If You Must Travel In The Warning Area During The Time Of The Warning...Take Along A Winter Survival Kit. If You Become Stranded In A Rural Area...Stay With Your Vehicle Until Help Arrives. To Keep Warm In Your Vehicle...Run Your Engine 10 Minutes Each Hour...And Make Sure The Exhaust Pipe Is Clear Of Snow To Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

EDIT: Okay I see that my weather information was outdated...looks like Denver and the Metro area are under the gun still. WOW, this is crazy stuff I tell you. Just crazy.

Someone, send us the sunshine and blue skies I am so missing!

[TinajaCo]

LoveBoating, I am sorry if you take personal offense to my perspective but before these last two storms, may I ask the last time you had knee-deep snow? If I recall correctly, the Denver area hasn't had snow that deep since 2003, and before that 2000. Every three years is something I would quantify as rare. But perhaps, since rare is a subjective word, we should just tell people how often knee-deep snow occurs, and let them come to their own conclusions. And it does occur on average every few years.
I can think of twice, as a native, and having lived in Colorado my entire life, that we have had bad, damaging hailstorms in the last 20 years. So again, let's quantify that. We get a really bad hailstorm about once every ten years. Lightning is harder to quantify, and yes afternoon thunderstorms are fairly common in Colorado, but they are most of the time far from severe-- ironically, the worst thunderstorm I have ever been in was in Southern California. So it is subjective, and I am glad that you disagree so others can hear your opinion, but I stand by my claim that you can find bad weather anywhere, but on average Denver probably has less severe (or at least, less damaging) weather than many places. And, no earthquakes (I'll take a blizzard over an earthquake anyday!!).

[Dan6200alt]

okay, I don't need to deal w/ the roads too much and my fridge is stocked up so I'm almost enjoying the snow. However, my wife took the 4x4 and I'm left with the Camry. I don't need to go anywhere and the Camry actually does pretty well in reasonable snow, but not planning on going out anyway. BUT...

my 6 and 9 yr old kids are DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!! I love em and there great kids but they're tired of playing in the snow and have played with all their new xmas presents theyve played what they know on the piano a thousand times and their friends are a few blocks away and dont wanna go and they're getting cabin fever or I am but either way they are saying Daddy daddy daddy daddy non stop not to mention I havent been able to run in like 2 weeks and i dont have a treadmill and my dog wants to go to the park and theres nothing on tv and my wifes at work and wont be back till tommorrow some time going skiing in a few days but thats a few days away...my fries fell in the sand my burgers not so nice my pepsi just spilled over opps i dropped my ice...

sorry

yeah, i guess i am getting cabin fever a little

[2bindenver]

pop some popcorn and have the kids each pick a movie.