On December 1, 1913, Denverites woke up to a quiet morning, unaware that they were about to face the most intense snowstorm in the city’s history. What started as an ordinary winter storm quickly escalated into a five-day blizzard, dumping 45.7 inches of snow on the Mile High City. The Blizzard of 1913 would go down in history as a remarkable test of Denver’s resilience, endurance, and ability to handle the unexpected.
An Unpredictable Start: Denver’s Winter Was Off to a Rocky Start
The winter of 1913 had already shown some early signs of being anything but typical. Denver had experienced its first snowfall as early as September 11, catching people by surprise. But after that early cold snap, the city enjoyed a dry and warm November, which made it seem like the worst of the winter weather was behind them. The warming trend even continued into December, making the first flakes on December 1 seem almost inconspicuous. Little did they know, a colossal storm was on the way.
A Storm Like No Other: When the Snow Began to Pile Up
What started as a few inches of snow quickly turned into an all-out snow assault. By December 4, the storm had already blanketed the city with more than 20 inches of snow, bringing the streetcar system to a complete halt. Businesses shut down, workers were stranded, and the city was thrown into chaos. But rather than panic, the people of Denver banded together, turning a moment of adversity into one of camaraderie.
Thousands of stranded workers found refuge in makeshift shelters around the city, including local hotels, department stores, and auditoriums. The mood, surprisingly, was positive—with people joking about the situation and even organizing impromptu snow parties in the shelters. With thousands of laborers enlisted for snow removal, the storm was becoming not just a challenge but also a temporary job boom for many low-income workers.
The Blizzard Peaks: A City Completely Snowed In
By December 6, the worst was over, but the damage was done. The storm had dumped more than 45 inches of snow, leaving Union Station and many streets completely blocked. Snowdrifts reached four feet high in some places, and the city’s transportation system had ground to a halt. With the snow piled high, the city was effectively trapped.
The efforts to dig out began in earnest, with workers mobilized across the city using a combination of horse-drawn wagons, snowplows, and manual labor. The task was monumental. At one point, the city had removed more than six billion cubic feet of snow, weighing in at around 35 billion pounds—enough to fill nearly 880,000 railcars. For nearly a month, the streets remained clogged with snow as the city worked tirelessly to restore order.
A Community United: How Denver Came Together
Despite the storm’s severity, the community spirit shone through. Emergency deliveries of coal were made to households using horseback, as coal was in high demand due to a coal strike. The fact that utilities such as electricity, phone lines, and water continued to function without major issues was a small blessing in the chaos.
The city worked not only to clear streets but also to maintain order and well-being. Temporary shelters kept the homeless off the streets, while city workers—including sanitation crews, street cleaners, and highway workers—worked around the clock to keep things moving. The clean-up operation became a city-wide effort, with many laborers earning much-needed wages in the process.
Lasting Lessons: The Impact of the Blizzard
Though the city managed to dig out, the Blizzard of 1913 left an indelible mark on Denver. The heavy, wet snow caused structural damage across the city, including collapsed roofs and damaged buildings. This tragedy led to the introduction of stricter building codes, ensuring that future construction could handle the weight of wet snow.
But beyond the structural changes, the storm had a profound impact on the city’s agricultural output. The heavy snowfall helped hydrate the dry soil, leading to one of the best harvests in 1914. In a twist of fate, what was initially seen as a disaster ultimately helped set the stage for prosperity in the years that followed.
Could Denver Face Another Blizzard Like 1913?
While Denver has seen its share of heavy snowstorms since, none have quite matched the scale of the Blizzard of 1913. The next largest storm was the March 2003 blizzard, which dropped 31.8 inches on the city, while the Christmas Eve blizzard of 1982 brought 23.8 inches of snow. But the 1913 storm’s 45.7 inches still stands as a record that has yet to be matched.
Despite advances in snow removal technology and better preparedness for winter storms, Denver residents know that the unpredictable nature of winter weather could always bring another historic snowstorm. But one thing is certain: if the Blizzard of 1913 taught Denver anything, it’s that the city can weather even the harshest storms, no matter how intense or unexpected.
The Blizzard of 1913 remains an unforgettable chapter in Denver’s history, proving that even when the skies dump record-breaking snow, the city will rise to the challenge—just as it always has.