A powerful winter storm has engulfed Colorado, bringing subfreezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and dangerously cold wind chills across the state. The storm, which began on Monday, has caused significant disruptions to travel, shut down mountain passes, and impacted daily activities.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), up to 2 feet of snow is expected to accumulate along the Interstate 70 corridor from Vail to the Eisenhower Tunnel. Blowing snow and limited visibility have made travel conditions treacherous, leading to road closures and delays. CDOT has issued warnings to motorists about the subfreezing wind chills and difficult travel conditions that are likely to persist in the mountains for the next few days.

Several mountain passes, including Loveland, Red Mountain, Monarch, and Cameron passes, have been closed due to wintry conditions. Berthoud Pass, west of Denver, remains shut down with no estimated time of reopening after a snowslide buried 10 cars on Sunday.

The National Weather Service forecasts an additional 4 to 8 inches of snow across the mountains on Monday, accompanied by another surge of arctic air that will drop temperatures back to near-zero levels. Rabbit Ears Pass, along U.S. 40, could potentially receive up to 40 inches of snow. Avalanche risks remain high throughout Colorado's mountain ranges, with large avalanches likely to occur naturally or be triggered.

The storm has also impacted the state's ski resorts, which have seen significant snowfall. Arapahoe Ski Basin reported over 20 inches of powder in the past 48 hours, while Aspen Highlands received 16 inches. However, hazardous road conditions and low visibility have prevented some skiers from reaching the resorts.

Travel plans at Denver International Airport have been severely affected by the storm, as more than 300 flights were canceled on Monday morning – the highest number of cancellations at any airport in the country. Sunday saw nearly 280 flights canceled and around 700 delayed due to snowy conditions.

The bitter cold has had serious consequences in Denver, where four people were found dead outside since Friday. The city's Department of Public Health and Environment suspects that extreme temperatures, dropping below zero, may have been a contributing factor. To ensure the safety of participants, organizers of Denver's 40th annual Marade to honor Martin Luther King Jr. cut the event short, citing the low wind chill and temperatures.

Public schools and universities have announced closures for Tuesday due to forecasted wind chills below zero, including Colorado State University. The Douglas County School District has faced issues with its transportation fleet due to the deep freeze over the weekend, hindering bus operations.

While many Colorado livestock operations have been coping with the storm, concerns remain over impassable roads impacting milk transportation. The Colorado Livestock Association CEO, Zach Riley, believes that the worst impact from the storm may have passed, but continues to monitor the situation closely.

As the storm grips Colorado, residents are urged to exercise caution and take necessary precautions against the extreme cold, including protecting exposed skin from frostbite. The storm is expected to persist over the coming days, with dangerous conditions and limited visibility continuing to pose challenges for travel and daily life.