Heavy snow snarls Colo., Wyo. roads

Up to 3 feet of snow was expected by tonight in the mountains above 6,000 feet, forecasters said. Nearly 2 feet had already fallen in Rocky Mountain National Park about 60 miles northwest of Denver.

The chilly weather forced a return to heavy coats and snow boots for some who already had packed away their winter clothes.

"I cannot get used to this snow," said Myra Gonzalez, 25, who moved to Denver from Southern California two years ago. She usually drives to work but opted for the bus to get to work in the snow.

The storm was welcomed at ski areas, where the economic downturn has reduced bookings more than 8 percent from last year at some resorts.

Yesterday, the slopes were packed with late-season skiers and snowboarders taking their final runs of the season. Most resorts close tomorrow.

"This is why we live here, to have the slopes to ourselves in April," said Kristen Petitt, spokeswoman at Colorado's most visited resort, Breckenridge.

A 140-mile stretch of Interstate 80 and many smaller roads in Wyoming were closed. A 30-mile stretch of Interstate 25 from Wellington, Colo., to Cheyenne, Wyo., was closed briefly.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries, but a snow plow driver suffered minor injuries Thursday when his truck rolled down a snowpacked embankment in southwestern Colorado. A motorist freed him.