A late‑season blizzard is battering the Rocky Mountains, with forecasts calling for up to 30 inches on peaks near Denver. Residents in Boulder and Denver already report a foot of snow, while the city could see 3 to 9 inches—potentially eclipsing the March record of 8½ inches.

The storm arrives after a harsh winter that left Colorado’s snowpack at its lowest level on record. Nearly 60% of the state now faces extreme drought, and even a modest snowfall could dampen the looming wildfire risk. Local climatologists say the additional cover could nudge the snowpack to its second‑lowest ever.

Ski resorts, many of which closed early, are watching closely. Arapahoe Basin, still open, has extended operations through Sunday to capitalize on the new snow. The extra coverage may keep the resort viable, but once a resort shuts, reopening becomes costly and time‑consuming. The storm’s impact on Colorado’s winter economy will depend on how much snow the state ultimately receives.