Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency because of the severe winter weather conditions throughout Colorado.

Polis declared the emergency late Thursday and authorized unarmed Colorado National Guard members to provide winter storm response support.

The declaration also activates the Colorado State Emergency Operations Center and the State Emergency Operations Plan and directs the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to take all necessary and appropriate actions to assist affected jurisdictions with response, recovery and mitigation efforts.

It also allows the Office of Emergency Management to mobilize state resources and to make contracts using emergency procurement procedures.

The winter storm is expected to continue throughout Friday, and the declaration was declared to have resources in place to support rescue efforts around the state as the storm worsens into the evening.

Polis and the Department of Personnel & Administration also announced that government offices along the Front Range will move to remote work where possible. Agencies will use their discretion to close public-facing state offices based on weather conditions throughout the day, with some facilities in southern and southeastern Colorado likely closing for the full day.

State facilities essential to public health and safety will maintain regular operating schedules and essential staff will report as usual.

The declaration comes as schools, roads, military installations and airports throughout the state have announced respective closures and delays in response to the winter storm warning.

– Click or tap here for CDOT updates on the latest road conditions.

– Click or tap here for updates on flight delays or cancellations.