DENVER (KDVR) — Denver is opening warming shelters with an arctic cold front to bring dangerously low temperatures to the region this week.
Temperatures in Denver took a nosedive Wednesday evening. The extreme cold will remain until midday Friday, putting anyone outdoors at risk for frostbite and hypothermia. The blast of cold comes as the city is already under a state of emergency with the recent arrival of hundreds of migrants, who also need shelter.
Denver warming shelter locations
Shelters and warming centers will be served between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday with shuttles running from the St. Francis Center and the Lawrence Street Community Center to transport people to the Coliseum and Downtown Denver YMCA.
Denver Coliseum opens Wednesday
On Wednesday, the city will open a 24-hour warming center at the Denver Coliseum at 4600 Humboldt St. The coliseum will be open to “anyone who needs a warm place to stay during the storm,” according to a release.
The Coliseum opened at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Transportation will be available starting Wednesday afternoon from the Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St.
Walk-ups and drop-offs to the Coliseum will also be allowed.
Only registered service animals will be allowed. Denver Animal Protection will be at the site to hold pets temporarily for anyone who seeks shelter.
YMCA shelter opens Thursday
The Downtown Denver YMCA, 25 E. 16th Ave., will open Thursday morning as a 24-hour warming center for up to 100 people. The YMCA is set to open at 7 a.m. Thursday through noon on Saturday, December 24.
Wellington Webb Building shelter opens Thursday
The Wellington Webb Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave., opened Thursday at 3 p.m. It can accommodate up to 100 people with chairs and blankets. Electronic security screening is required.
Transportation to Denver warming shelters
Shelters and warming centers will be served between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday-Friday with shuttles running from the St. Francis Center, 2323 Curtis St. and the Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St., to transport people to the Coliseum and Downtown Denver YMCA.
Denver recreation centers, libraries open Thursday-Friday
On Thursday and Friday, all open Denver recreation centers and libraries will be open during regular operating hours to serve as warming centers.
Some of the city’s shelters are being used to house migrants who have arrived in recent weeks — more than 1,300 since Dec. 9. Anyone who seeks shelter at those recreation centers will be shuttled to a different center. Check Denver’s rec center and library hours and locations here.
Boulder opens 24-hour warming shelter
Boulder will also open a 24-hour emergency shelter on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Get more details here.
Plan ahead: Timing, temperatures
A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day has been issued for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Overnight lows Wednesday are forecast to drop to negative 10 degrees, with highs on Thursday at or below zero. Then overnight lows Thursday are forecast to drop to negative 13 degrees.
A wind chill warning has been issued for the Denver metro area, Front Range and Eastern Plains and northern and central mountains from 8 p.m. Wednesday until 11 a.m. Friday. Wind chills could drop to 50 degrees below zero from Wednesday evening into Friday morning.
Watch for signs of frostbite, hypothermia
Extremely cold temperatures can lead to frostbite and hypothermia for people exposed. Denver advises anyone exposed to the cold to look for signs of either condition and seek medical attention immediately.
Where to see weather alerts
If a winter alert is issued for your area, whether it is a blizzard watch or warning, winter weather advisory or winter storm warning, it will always show up at the top of the FOX31 website. View all weather alerts here.
The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to update the forecast multiple times each day.
