Weather Delays and Closures

Once the decision is made, the district notifies families, staff and the community. The decision is posted on the district website, social media and via local media outlets. If the decision is to delay or close school, BVSD sends alerts via email, phone and text message. 

• Watch the area at the top of the front page of the BVSD website. Public notice of a closure or delay will be posted on a banner there as soon as possible after the decision has been made.
• An email, phone call and text message (for those who have opted in to receive text messages from BVSD) will be sent to everyone whom the closure or delay directly affects.
• In cases of all-district closures, the messages will be sent to ALL BVSD parents / guardians and staff.
• In cases of mountain school closures, only mountain schools and mountain bus parents/guardians and staff will get the email and text messages.
• Media will also be alerted in both cases, and social media notices will be posted.
• No notices means no closures or significant delays have been reported.
• Except in very rare instances, decisions about closures are generally made by 5:30 a.m.

Not Receiving Emergency Messages From BVSD?

Are you a BVSD Employee and need to know when to report? See this page for more info. 

As a storm approaches, BVSD receives frequent updates from SkyView Weather, which provides localized forecasts. The meteorologists offer specific insights into what we can expect in each of our communities from Nederland to Broomfield and Superior to Erie.

Often winter storms come in overnight, so our team will typically gather the night before to discuss the latest forecasts, weather and road conditions. Whenever possible, we try to make a decision then, so our families and staff have plenty of time to make childcare arrangements.

Weather, however, is notoriously unpredictable in Colorado. Often storms that look like they may bring a lot of snow to the Front Range change course or weaken as they pass over the mountains. By waiting until the morning of, we can make a decision on updated forecasts and conditions.

Midnight
If snow has started to fall overnight, our snow removal crews get to work clearing all of the parking lots and the larger sidewalks at the schools.

2 a.m.
BVSD’s Transportation department sends a handful of bus drivers to assess the road conditions on our routes throughout our communities and up into the mountains.

4 a.m.
Snow removal and transportation crews relay their observations, as well as the latest weather and road reports to the Assistant Superintendent of Operational Services, who makes a recommendation to the Superintendent.

5 a.m. 
School custodians arrive at their buildings to ensure they have power and mechanical systems are working. They begin clearing snow from sidewalks.

No later than 5:30 a.m.
Once the decision is made, the Communications Department begins its work of notifying families, staff and the community. The decision is posted on the district website, social media and via local media outlets. If the decision is to delay or close school, BVSD sends alerts via email, phone and text message. 

Yes. The Boulder Valley School District covers more than 500 square miles and conditions can vary drastically throughout the county. The district may close our mountain schools if conditions are worse there compared to the rest of the district.

The Boulder Valley School District will make a decision about canceling after school activities and notfiy families using the same protocols above.

Occasionally, our communities and schools experience brief power outages. While they can be an inconvenience with lights, phones and internet out, in many cases learning and other school activities can continue. 

In the event of extended power outages, critical operations and safety systems like security, HVAC, internet, phones, restrooms, and food preparation are compromised. When power is unavailable for an extended period, schools unable to safely operate or provide essential services for students and staff. 

Although our schools are supplied with backup generators, they are designed to power critical safety systems only, such as emergency lighting, alarms, and communications.

They are intended for short-term emergency use rather than full-day school operations like heating and cooling, classroom technology, or kitchens. 

Following a power outage, it may take several hours to several days for power to be restored. Utility crews must check power lines to ensure it is safe before turning power back on, this is situation-dependent.

BVSD closely monitors the situation and works closely with our energy provider, Xcel Energy, and other public safety partners when appropriate to get the latest information. If a power outage occurs we evaluate the information and determine whether to delay or close. 

The decision to close schools is never easy and something that we take seriously. We must always balance the safety of our students and staff with our mission of educating students and the impacts that the decision will have on our families. We also recognize that many students rely on school buildings for warmth, support, and access to breakfast and lunch, and we strive to keep schools open whenever possible.

During brief power outages, schools may be able to operate for a limited time if building temperatures remain safe and supplemental supports are available, such as generators, bottled water, portable restrooms, cold meal options, and emergency lighting. However, when power is unavailable for an extended period, schools cannot safely operate or provide essential services. Critical systems including security, heating and cooling, internet, phones, restrooms and food preparation may be unavailable.

Once the decision is made, the district notifies families, staff and the community. Updates will be provided on the Emergency Information website.

• Watch the area at the top of the front page of the BVSD website. Public notice of a closure or delay will be posted on a banner there as soon as possible after the decision has been made.
• An email, phone call and text message (for those who have opted in to receive text messages from BVSD) will be sent to everyone whom the closure or delay directly affects.
• In cases of all-district closures, the messages will be sent to ALL BVSD parents / guardians and staff.
• In cases of mountain school closures, only mountain schools and mountain bus parents/guardians and staff will get the email and text messages.
• No notices means no closures or significant delays have been reported.

Not Receiving Emergency Messages From BVSD?