Spring brings more wintry weather to region

Spring weather is not yet here to stay as the area received another round of snow and sleet to accompany rain and cool temperatures on Sunday.

Fortunately, most of the precipitation east of Pikes Peak melted quickly and caused no serious trouble.

Just before 12:30 p.m. Sunday, authorities in Park County closed U.S. 287 between Fairplay and Grant because of adverse travel conditions. Authorities have not said when the highway would reopen.

Also, at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday, the State Patrol said weather and speeding were apparent factors in the death of a Pueblo man on Highway 9 in Fremont County.

Troopers said the man was a front passenger in a SUV that went through a curve and rolled. He was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle, troopers said. The driver was wearing a seat belt and received minor injuries.

Highway 9 southbound in the area was closed for three hours while troopers investigated the crash.

Periods of heavy snow in Woodland Park did little more than leave surfaces wet or covered with slush.

“This weather is kind of like Wyoming,” said Michael Patty, who was visiting relatives in nearby Cripple Creek. “It was nasty on the way here and now I have an eight-hour drive back home.”

Elijah Murphy, owner of the Ute Inn restaurant in Woodland Park, said the weather boosted his business.

“We had a number of hikers who came in for breakfast,” he said. “They didn’t want to hike in the snow.”

Many residents said they don’t mind the snow because the area needs moisture, but they hope for more springlike weather soon.