School district across Southern Colorado close, despite many claiming roads ‘weren’t that bad’

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Many people driving on slick road Tuesday morning have commented to the fact that the roads are pretty typical when it comes to Colorado snowstorms. So why all the school closures?

Director of Communications for District 20 Allison Cortez told KRDO the closures Tuesday weren't just because of roads, but really because of cold temperatures.

"Really it was that temperature factor. And we had neighborhoods where folks couldn't get out of their driveways." said Cortez.

"We have to think about our kindergartners standing at the bus stop at 7 a.m. when it's 12 degrees," Cortez said.

Temperatures dipped below zero with wind chill Tuesday morning, right around the time kids would be waiting by the bus stop.

Several districts closed their doors Tuesday. Although administrators and superintendents drive the streets and watch the weather reports, many of them rely on each other for information as well.

"The superintendents of all these school districts are pretty much always on the phone around 4 o'clock with each other seeing what it's like where they live. Because we do have so many students across the districts, that even though they might live in District 11 they go to District 20 or they live in D20 and may go to Harrison," said Cortez.

If temperatures continue to rise and plow keep the neighborhoods clean, most of the districts are expecting to be back open for class on Wednesday.