WEATHER HISTORY - SNOW, COLORADO

Post by Doris McCraw
writing as Angela Raines

Photo property of the author

Most people have the vision of snow-covered mountains and skiing when they think of Colorado. That is true, but there is a lot more to the history of snow in the Centennial State.

If you take a look at the history of the state and the snow, some interesting and scary facts come to light.

The Pueblo Daily Chieftain of Dec 31, 1892, printed this piece.



The Telluride Journal of Feb.4, 1899 spoke of a major blizzard that stopped train traffic.

In the snow. View shows man and 3 horses in the snow. Colorado. June 15, 1873.
usgs photo

The Daily Journal (Telluride) of April 13, 1896, wrote of a 'statewide' blizzard.





The Colorado Weekly Chieftain of April 11, 1878, had the following news from Fairplay, CO.

"The coach from Colorado Springs which was duo here last evening, Is not within twenty miles of town yet, owing to the snowstorm and heavy roads."

In the early days as now, Colorado has its share of unique and sometimes catastrophic weather. I guess the best way to explain it comes from the Greeley Tribune of Feb. 9, 1893, and the town of Eaton, a town nearby.

" Eaton. Feb. 7. —We in this vicinity experience changeable weather as well as the rest of you; February this year is acting very peculiar; sunshine, wind, and blizzard all in the same day."

So when you think about or write about Colorado, studying the weather can be a fascinating rabbit hole to go down. The weather, along with gemstones were a part of my novella, "The Gift of Forgiveness".

Here is a short excerpt:

 A cold wind blew through the door as Ila and Albert came in carrying the pail of fresh milk from the goats. Snow had fallen two days ago, melted, but the sun had yet to warm the night's air.

"Good morning, Mother," Albert greeted her, setting the milk pail, with the help of Ila, in the pantry.

At seven, Albert was growing up too soon. "Good morning to you, too. Why so formal?"

"John says a man should always be respectful of a woman, especially your mother," Albert replied unwinding himself from his coat and scarf.

"Oh, he did, did he?" Nettie laughed, uneasy, yet pleased that Albert had taken to the strong, silent man. In her heart, Nettie realized Albert was missing his father, and John had been a friend to her and the children.

"Yes, ma'am he did. He also said I was to help around here," Albert said proudly. "I'd like to go exploring after breakfast," Albert continued, for all the world like a man.

"Do you also remember you have schoolwork to get done?" Nettie asked, proud, yet frightened for her young son. The way he was always exploring, he'd probably leave the moment he had the chance to go exploring the rest of the world. A knot formed in Nettie's stomach, for she had the same dreams as a child.

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 Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

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