Have you dug out from last week’s freak snowstorm? While Coloradans do not typically expect freezing cold and snow until after Halloween, it is not unheard of for it to come earlier in the season. In fact, if you are a longtime Colorado resident, you may remember one snowstorm that was not only early in the season but one of the deadliest in state history:

Beginning on October 25th was the unforgettable 1997 blizzard when the Front Range and everything to the east of it were blanketed in an unprecedented 1 to 3 feet of snow. 

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How much snow did each area get? While it varied greatly, the most significant amounts were reported in Coal Creek Canyon (51 inches), Silver Spruce Ranch (48 inches), Intercanyon (47 inches), and Sedalia (37 inches). 

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While 3 feet of snow in itself is bad enough, some areas also experienced high winds, with some snowdrifts along the Eastern Plains measuring in at a whopping 10 feet high.

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When all was said and done, several of Colorado’s major highways closed, along with Denver International Airport, which received a reported 14 inches. 

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Unfortunately, the massive storm proved not only to be a nightmare in terms of transportation but in terms of fatalities as well, with at least 4 killed and an additional 50,000 head of cattle found dead because of the snow. 

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Though the storm affected Coloradans in different ways, one thing is for sure: no one who lived in Colorado during the ’90s will ever forget this deadly blizzard. 

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For an even better look at this unforgettable blizzard, check out this video from 9NEWS:

Where were you during the 1997 blizzard? We would love to hear your memories in the comments. For even more incredible Centennial State storms, check out It’s Impossible To Forget The Year Colorado Saw Its Single Largest Snowfall Ever.

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YouTube/9News

For an even better look at this unforgettable blizzard, check out this video from 9NEWS:

Where were you during the 1997 blizzard? We would love to hear your memories in the comments. For even more incredible Centennial State storms, check out It’s Impossible To Forget The Year Colorado Saw Its Single Largest Snowfall Ever.