Emergency Management, utility providers offer safety tips, preparedness actions

The National Weather Service is predicting a cold front pushing through the Pikes Peak region, bringing significantly colder air and wind chills below zero degrees for much of the upcoming weekend.

Arctic air continues to spread into the plains today, with a stronger push of colder air later this evening and tonight. Coldest temperatures are expected to be tonight through Sunday morning. Windchill values will fall well below zero tonight, Saturday night, and Sunday night. Within the Pikes Peak region, wind chill temperatures will remain near or below zero for much of Friday and into Saturday and Sunday night into the early morning hours of Monday.

Fluffy snow is expected across the plains and valleys with 1-4 inches for the region. Higher elevations to the west could see anywhere from 6 to 20 inches or more.

Travel may be difficult as snow develops and sticks to roads. Mountain passes will have slick and hazardous travel as heavier snow impacts these areas.

Residents should visit pproem.com/ExtremeCold for resources, preparedness tips, and more.

Prepare for extreme cold weather

Preparedness experts with the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) recommend residents take the following actions in advance of this cold weather:

• Have warm clothing, blankets, hand warmers, and other cold-weather gear and supplies in your vehicle's emergency kit.
• Don't travel in icy conditions.
• Bring animals inside. Provide protection for livestock from wind and snow.
• Dress people in loose layers and protect exposed skin from possible frostbite
• Know the symptoms and treatment for frostbite and hypothermia.
• Small children and older adults are at greater risk in extreme cold.
• Check on friends and neighbors who may be vulnerable.

Preparing your home for extreme cold

• Drop the thermostat a few degrees to help heating systems maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
• Set thermostats no higher than 68 degrees when at home, and 60 degrees when away from home.
• Consider investing in a smart thermostat – Springs Utilities offers a$50 rebate on qualifying models.  
• Dirty furnace filters add stress to heating systems and make them less efficient.
• If you haven't changed the furnace filter in a while, switch it out now before temperatures drop.
• Open cabinet doors with access to plumbing, especially those facing exterior walls.
• Purchase pipe insulation from a local hardware store. It will fit around water lines for added protection.
• Allow an indoor faucet to run a very thin, but steady stream of water to protect pipes from freezing. To avoid wasting water, catch it in a bucket and use it for another purpose, such as watering indoor plants.  
• Only use proper heating systems or small appliances made to heat a home.
• Do not use ovens, stoves, barbeque grills, or any propane-powered devices to heat your home. Those devices can be fire and carbon monoxide hazards.  

Power outage and additional safety tips

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Contact your specific utility provider or visit its website for more information on power outages.

• Colorado Springs Utilities: csu.org/storm-center or 719-448-4800.
  • To reduce call volume and expedite emergency-related calls during this cold-weather event, Colorado Springs Utilities asks customers to use its online outage map at csu.org for electric outage information and status updates, and to not call 448-4800 unless a customer is reporting a downed electric line, a tree into an electric line, or some other utilities-related emergency that poses a safety risk.
  • Springs Utilities also provides programs and resources to customers who need help with paying utilities bills, to include LEAP, Project COPE and payment plans.
• Mountain View Electric: mvea.coop/outage-center/outage-reporting/ or 800-388-9881
• City of Fountain Utilities: 719-322-2010
• Black Hills Energy: blackhillsenergy.com/outages or 888-890-5554

Homelessness response and cold weather emergency shelters

The City of Colorado Springs Housing and Homeless Response Department, along with Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, serve as the primary coordinating agencies in support of protecting people who are unhoused when life-threatening winter weather occurs. The primary coordinating agencies do not direct shelter operations. It, along with Colorado Springs Fire Department's Homeless Outreach Program, Colorado Springs Police Department's Homeless Outreach Team and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, coordinates the dissemination of available resources to those experiencing homelessness.

The Springs Rescue Mission and The Sanctuary Church serve as the region's two main warming shelters. These locations also offer meals and other resources for those experiencing homelessness. If you see an unhoused person that may need support, please refer them to the Springs Rescue Mission or The Sanctuary Church.

• Call 719-401-3111 for people who need transportation to warming shelters.
• Call 911 if you see any resident experiencing what you think is an emergency medical situation.
• Call 911 if you see smoke or signs of a fire.

Mountain Metro Transit will activate its severe winter weather sheltering transport program. This free-fare program offers people experiencing homelessness transportation to an approved shelter location. Visit ColoradoSprings.gov/mountainmetro for service schedules and route information.

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For more information on the Winter Weather Sheltering program in support of those experiencing homelessness, please visit pproem.com/WinterWeatherSheltering.

Residents with food or emergency shelter needs

Any residents who need referrals for food, utilities assistance, clothing or other services should contact Pikes Peak United Way 2-1-1.

• Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or 719-955-0742 or toll free at 1-866-488-9742.
• Text: Send your zip code to 898211. Standard message and data rates may apply.
• Online: Search the database of services at ppunitedway.org.

Pikes Peak United Way 2-1-1 is multi-lingual, free and confidential. Trained information specialists staff the hotline from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The 2-1-1 staff will monitor messages over the weekend and during non-business hours and respond within a few hours. Residents needing support, especially transportation, can assist the 2-1-1 staff by leaving a precise location if they need transportation to a warming shelter, or call the transportation assistance number directly at 719-401-3111 for more immediate response.

Stay Informed

Follow responders on "X," formerly known as Twitter, for more information about resources, changing conditions and response:

• @CityofCOS
• @epccolorado_
• @CSPDPIO
• @CSFDPIO
• @EPCSheriff
• @CSUtilities

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