Snowstorm pummels Colorado, Plains states

DENVER – A major snowstorm blew across Colorado toward the Plains on Wednesday, dumping more than a foot of snow in some places and forcing the airport to close, stranding thousands of holiday travelers. Authorities at times shut down major highways in parts of six states.

The National Weather Service posted blizzard warnings for most of eastern Colorado and adjoining sections of Nebraska and Kansas. A day earlier, the storm had pummeled New Mexico with up to a foot of snow.

As much as 20 inches of snow was forecast in Denver, where all nonessential municipal offices were closed early. Snow was predicted to fall through this morning.

The storm struck Denver just as the morning commute was starting.

“I’m going to grab my computer, talk to my boss and go back home,” Jennifer Robinson said after driving about 20 miles from her home in Boulder to her sales job in downtown Denver. “I’m not going to take a risk and get stuck in Denver.”

Denver International Airport closed in mid-afternoon and was expected to remain so until at least this evening, said spokesman Steve Snyder. More than 1,000 flights were canceled through today, and as many as 3,000 people were stranded at the airport.

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard in case stranded motorists needed to be rescued.

Authorities closed portions of interstate highways in Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas throughout the day, including nearly all of Interstate 25 in Colorado, the state’s busiest north-south route.

“They pulled everyone off the highway,” said Leon Medina, manager of a truck stop on Interstate 25 in Walsenburg, about 130 miles south of Denver. “Cars are all around the building. Trucks are all over, trucks and cars pulled into ditches.”

Scores of schools were closed, and the NBA’s Denver Nuggets canceled their game Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns.