JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — The snow, treacherous driving conditions and bitterly cold temperatures are causing schools to be closed Tuesday in the Denver metro area.
Many metro school districts, including Denver Public Schools, Jeffco Public Schools, Douglas County School District, Cherry Creek Schools and Aurora Public Schools, have announced they will be closed Tuesday.
DPS said in their communication to families:
All DPS schools and administrative offices are closed Tuesday, January 16, due to severe weather. This includes the Emily Griffith Technical College. All school-related events and activities, including all Discovery Link and ELCS Enrichment programs, are also canceled.
Jeffco sent a notice to parents and guardians Monday afternoon. It reads in part:
Dear Jeffco Public Schools Staff and Families,
Due to the unprecedented length of sustained low temperatures that is forecasted to continue tomorrow, all Jeffco Public Schools buildings and facilities will be closed Tuesday, January 16. This will give us time to assess district facilities and prepare them to safely serve students.
All childcare programs, after-school activities and meetings scheduled to be in Jeffco Public Schools facilities are canceled. No Jeffco Public Schools transportation services will be provided for services within or outside the district.
With the exception of essential personnel, employees do not need to report to work. Access to any building for any reason needs to be approved by security dispatch prior to entering the building.
In an email to families, Cherry Creek Schools said several district buildings had burst pipes:
The Cherry Creek School District will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16th, due to freezing weather conditions. The District is concerned for student safety and several buildings have experienced burst pipes. Classes and school activities will be cancelled. Before and after school daycare programs will be closed.
Douglas County said the cold impacted its transportation fleet. They said two diesel pumps are down and starting buses in the morning would be an issue. Even though schools may be closed, the district said after-school activities are still scheduled to go on unless told otherwise by a coach or activity sponsor.
Some Colorado colleges and universities, including Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University, also announced closures or delays for Tuesday.
RELATED: Full list of closings and delays
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