DEER TRAIL - Thousands of people along Colorado's Eastern Plains were taking shelter Thursday evening, as a major blizzard headed toward them.
9NEWS Meteorologist Kathy Sabine predicted anywhere from 12 to 24 inches of snowfall along the Eastern Plains.
In the small town of Deer Trail, workers at the Brick Oven Pizzeria tried to stay open as long as possible Thursday afternoon.
"I think the biggest concerns are just staying warm," Jeanie Howell, a worker at Brick Oven, said.
"There's nothing better in a blizzard than some hot pizza," Howell said. "I'd say get on down here quick."
To the east in Limon, workers at hotels wondered if the forecast was too good so people would avoid the hassle of getting stranded there Thursday night.
"Seems that this thing [has been] coming for a while, and people know that it's coming," Nick Islam, a worker at the Quality Inn in Limon, said. "They are just changing their route. So we don't know yet."
Stratton Schools cancelled classes Friday, one of many school districts along the Eastern Plains expected to close.
"When the wind gets to blowin', and there's snow. You can get in trouble in a hurry," Superintendent Eric Moser said.
9NEWS plans extensive coverage of the blizzard warnings throughout the storm, including live reports from Burlington and Limon.
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