Colorado Mountains See Heavy Snow as Denver Enjoys Sunny Skies

Storm dumps up to 18 inches of snow in the high country while the Front Range stays dry

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A winter storm that hit Colorado on February 18-19, 2026 brought heavy snow to the mountains, with some areas reporting over a foot and a half of accumulation. Meanwhile, Denver and the Front Range enjoyed sunny skies and cool temperatures on Thursday as the storm system began to move out of the region.

Why it matters

Heavy mountain snowfall is crucial for Colorado's water supply and ski industry, but can also create hazardous driving conditions. The contrast between the snowy mountains and sunny Denver highlights the varied weather patterns across the state.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, some of the highest snow totals from the storm included 18 inches in Crested Butte, 16.8 inches at Cameron Pass, and 8.4 inches at Berthoud Pass. In contrast, Denver only saw a high of 40 degrees on Thursday with breezy winds, while the snow began to taper off in the mountains.

  • The winter storm hit Colorado on February 18-19, 2026.
  • As of 6:30 a.m. on February 19th, the National Weather Service had reported the snow totals.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and reporting weather data across the United States.

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The takeaway

This storm highlights the dramatic differences in weather that can occur across Colorado, with the mountains receiving heavy snowfall while the urban Front Range enjoys sunny skies. The snow is crucial for the state's water supply and ski industry, but can also create hazardous travel conditions that require monitoring.