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Storm keeps emergency responders busy in Steamboat area

The latest winter storm had brought nine inches of snow to the slopes of Steamboat Ski Area as of Tuesday morning.
John F. Russell
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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Fender benders, terrified drivers and rollovers were keeping emergency responders busy as snow continued to fall Tuesday morning.

The snow started accumulating Monday afternoon, and road conditions quickly deteriorated.

There was a two-car crash in Mount Harris Canyon between Steamboat and Hayden on U.S. Highway 40 on Monday afternoon.



A Mitsubishi lost control and rotated into the canyon wall. A pickup driver tried to avoid the crash and also hit the wall.

No one was injured.



On Rabbit Ears Pass, a driver was transported to UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center after rolling their car.

Also on Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado State Patrol helped a Greyhound bus driver.

“He wasn’t actually stuck,” Sgt. Scott Elliott said. “He was just terrified.”

Sand was spread on the road to help with traction, and the bus was escorted to the top of the pass.

After dealing with that incident, Elliott came across a Lexus crashed in a ditch at U.S. 40 and Colorado Highway 131.

Elliott suspected the driver was drunk, and the 54-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and careless driving.

In South Routt County, a school bus slid off the road into a ditch in the Stagecoach area. Transportation director Pie Lombardi said everyone on the bus was fine, and parents came to pick up their children.

On Tuesday morning, a chain law was lifted on Rabbit Ears Pass, but police were still busy handling numerous slide-offs and fender benders.

Tuesday morning’s snowy commute through downtown Steamboat Springs. Video by Tom Ross.

At 5 a.m. Tuesday, Steamboat Ski Area reported it had received 9 inches of snow at mid-mountain in a 24-hour period.

A weather observer in the city reported 7.1 inches of snow.

In South Routt County, 7.5 inches of snow was reported in Yampa, and 5 inches of snow was reported to the north in Clark.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland.


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