A late spring snowstorm has caused widespread school closures across Colorado on May 6, affecting major districts like Denver Public Schools and universities such as Colorado State University.
More than 120 schools reported closures, including Poudre, Thompson, and Weld RE-4 school districts. Classes were canceled due to hazardous travel conditions, with the storm dumping 5-8 inches of snow along the I-25 Corridor. The forecast hinted at even more accumulation near the foothills.
Denver Public Schools—Colorado’s largest district—joined the ranks of those shutting down for safety reasons. Littleton Public Schools, JeffCo Public Schools, Boulder Valley School District, Douglas County School District, and Aurora Public Schools also announced they would not hold classes.
Key impacts:
- Classes canceled at Colorado State University due to severe weather conditions.
- Over 120 reported school closures and delays across the state.
- Classes at Front Range Community College were canceled for in-person students while online courses continued.
- More than 500 flight delays occurred at Denver International Airport.
- 28,166 Xcel Energy customers were left without power due to the storm.
A winter storm warning was issued from 8 p.m. Tuesday until 3 p.m. Wednesday for the Denver metro area. The weather not only disrupted education but also impacted local government operations and nonprofits.
The community’s response has been mixed—some parents expressed relief about safety measures while others worried about missed educational opportunities. As one parent noted, “Safety comes first; we just hope this doesn’t affect our kids’ learning too much.” Officials have yet to provide a timeline for when classes might resume for those affected by the storm.