Turkey Day Menu: Winter Weather

Thanksgiving Travel to be Impacted

It’s a good news/bad news situation when it comes to Thanksgiving week in Leadville Today. And it all has to do with SNOW! The good news is that Ski Cooper announced it will open a bit earlier than anticipated. This Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 Leadville’s local ski hill will kick off the 2019/2020 season, heralded in by anticipated snow storms stacking in over the Thanksgiving weekend.

“We’re ready to get the season started!” stated Cooper’s Marketing Manager Dana Johnson. And this year that will include a new T-bar lift with the Grand Opening of a project years-in-the-making: Tennesee Creek Basin. Stay tuned for more photos and videos to mark this new chapter in Ski Cooper’s history.

Ski Cooper’s trail map for the 2019/2020 season includes the newly developed Tennesee Creek Basin.

Winter Weather Brings Traffic Concerns

Of course, the same white gold that will have the locals chomping at the bit to check out the new digs on the trail map will wreak havoc for commuters as families and friends encounter winter weather conditions while making the journey to the Thanksgiving table.

According to a press release distributed by Lake County Public Information Officer Betty Benson, the Lake County Office of Emergency Management (LCOEM) has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Lake County from 3 p.m. today, November 25 thru Tuesday, Nov. 26.

“The high wind and freezing temperatures are more of a concern than the expected snow,” stated LCOEM Director Cailee Hamm. “Please keep in mind the potential need for Mass Care assistance and the impact on roadways due to poor conditions and people traveling in and out of town.” Local officials provided the following anticipated impacts of what many anticipated to be #roundone for Thanksgiving. So keep an eye to the sky and refer to the state’s up-to-minute road reports from the Colorado Department of Transportation’s cotrip.org website. 

• What: Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches. Locally higher amounts are possible. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
• Where: Western Mosquito Range, Lake County, the Eastern Sawatch Mountains and Western Chaffee County above 9000 feet.
• When: 3 p.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Tuesday.
• Impacts: Travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. The cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

In addition, today’s media advisory included the following statement for those headed south: “Travelers on Highway 24 from Buena Vista to Leadville, and Highway 50 over Monarch Pass should prepare for hazardous travel conditions.”

FREE Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

As the colder weather months come on, so does household fire concerns. Keeping things warm and cozy at 10,200 feet can keep heating systems in high gear and alternative methods for stoking the home fires can be risky, so residents are asked to use common sense and caution.

In addition, be sure that certain lifesaving devices are installed and operating properly in your home and business. To that end, the Leadville/Lake County Fire Department has a large supply of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors available at no cost.  This program is sponsored by the Red Cross and the Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue (LLCFR).

Call the fire station at 719-486-2990 and leave your name and phone number.  Someone will call you back and make an appointment to come install either or both in your home.  These devices have 10-year batteries.

“We would like to ensure that all Leadville/Lake County homes have working smoke detectors & carbon monoxide devices” according to Chief Steve Boyle, LLCFR Fire Marshal.

According to LLCFR Captain McCann, carbon monoxide detectors are important because you can’t smell a leaking furnace or water heater, and you may not know you have a problem without a detector.  Carbon monoxide makes your body unable to process oxygen.

The Fire Department also will install infant car seats to ensure they are installed correctly. Call for an appointment to ensure someone is available to assist. Car seats are also available if you need one.

Sign Up for Alert Notification

Have you signed up yet? Why not?

It’s easy, quick and it will keep you in the know about emergency situations in Leadville and Lake County. Be sure to sign up for phone alerts in the event of any emergency situation in or impacting Lake County. Remember, residents can receive notifications even if they are working in Summit or Eagle County or perhaps own a second home in Lake County.

Don’t wait until something happens; do it TODAY!  Readers are also encouraged to connect with the Lake County Office of Emergency Management (LCOEM) Facebook Page for regular updates.