Many Denver city leaders had one message for Denverites during a Friday morning press conference to address a possible ‘snowmageddon’ this weekend.

“Please stay in this weekend and stay off the road, if you are able,” said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. 

State leaders encourage Coloradans to stay home this weekend during winter storm

Freezing rain is expected to begin late Friday afternoon and continue into the early hours Saturday morning when around 12 to 18 inches of snow are expected to fall through early Monday morning, said Lisa Kriederman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Boulder. 

Though recent model trends have gone a touch down on snow amounts, we’re still expecting a foot or more for the urban corridor, 1.5-4 feet for Front Range mtns/foothills. East Plains may see more rain. This is still impactful – Please prepare accordingly.#cowx pic.twitter.com/TxTlOlAhPa

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 12, 2021

Currently a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for much of the urban corridor that spreads from the Wyoming state line through the Palmer Divide beginning 5 a.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday.

Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s entire fleet has been armed and ready since midnight. 

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“Our plow drivers are on duty and prepared to run around the clock as long as needed to clear the road ways,” said DOTI Executive Director Eulois Cleckley.

DOTI’s entire fleet that consists 70 big plows and 65 drivers will focus their efforts on the main streets in Denver, said Cleckley. 

Thirty six pick-up truck plows will be deployed once the snow begins to fall with their focus on residential streets. Each street will be plowed once during a 12 hour shift. 

Because of the residential plowing, DOTI officials encourage motorist to avoid parking vehicles on the street, unless there is not other option.

Although the storm is expected to conclude Monday morning, Cleckley said plowing efforts could persist well into next week, and because of that, encourages everyone to stay home over the weekend. 

“We anticipate that this will require us to work well into next week,” Cleckley said.

“How can you help? Don’t drive if you don’t have to drive, give plow drivers room to operate and [allow them to] do their jobs effectively and safely.”

Other organizations such as Denver’s Department of Housing and Stability are on the streets trying to get as many homeless residents as possible to a safe, warm, indoor space. 

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“Resolving homlessness is a top priority for our city, we address this 365 days a year and this priority is all the more important when severe weather strikes,” said Britta Fischer, HOST executive director.

In order to assist those experiencing homelessness, the city has established a temporary shelter at the St. Charles Recreation Center that will open beginning Friday night through Wednesday for men and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness. 

HOST officials are also monitoring bed space for women and transgender individuals who might need shelter and are prepared to issue motel vouchers, if needed, said Fischer. 

Due to expected high winds and heavy wet snow beginning Saturday and into Monday morning, there is a possibility of power outages across the metro. In response, the city has prepared cots, generators and blankets at evacuation centers, if needed, said Matt Mueller, the executive director for the city’s Office of Emergency Management.

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Officials announced the vaccination event that was scheduled for the Bear Valley Library has been postponed, and the city has encouraged all health organizations to postpone their events or clinics.

“We know that vaccine is one of the most important things that we can do in the pandemic, but right now we need to be most focused on the weather that’s coming our way,” Mueller said. 

In addition to staying home, off the streets, and making sure the sidewalk is shoveled, Hancock said to keep an eye on neighbors in need. 

“Neighbors helping neighbors is what we do in Denver during this time, and we do it best, especially when it comes to these types of snowstorms,” Hancock said.