Ho, Ho, Ho!! Too Much Snow

A major snowstorm blew across Colorado, dumping more than a foot of snow in some places and forcing the airport to close, stranding thousands of holiday travelers. Authorities at times shut down major highways in parts of six U.S. states.

Denver International Airport was closed to flights at mid-afternoon Wednesday, and more than 1,000 were canceled through Thursday.

The runways will remain closed until at least Thursday night, spokesman Steve Snyder said. As many as 3,000 passengers were waiting for flights.

Airport officials set up hundreds of cots, while urging passengers to return home or check into hotels because emergency supplies are limited.

Airport officials were able to find some 470 hotel rooms around Denver for those who wanted them. Snyder said the Red Cross and the airport worked to distribute more than 4,000 blankets to those who were stranded.

"It's the most blankets we've ever had," Snyder said.

By 9:30 p.m., the scene at the airport was quiet with people sleeping everywhere, on the floor, in cots provided by the airport, and on the chairs where passengers usually wait for flights.

For travelers like Randy Daigle, 32, heading for a hotel room over treacherous roads was not an option. Daigle, his wife and two young sons were headed for Houston to visit Daigle's family through the New Year.

"It's better for them to be here and safe," he said as his boys lay on the airport floor, playing with toys. "We still have high spirits. We're just taking it a little bit at a time. We're just keeping the eye on the prize."

Scores of schools called off classes and some major malls closed early, just days before Christmas. Hundreds of miles of highways have been closed or clogged by accidents and slow-moving traffic.

Colorado's governor also declared a state of emergency. The official call frees up resources to help deal with the crushing pre-winter storm, CBS News correspondent Jennifer Miller reports.

The lumbering storm dropped more than a foot of snow in Colorado's southwestern mountains Tuesday, with 19 inches at the Wolf Creek ski area and 17 at Durango Mountain Resort.

"We've been waiting for a big storm to hit, so this was the best early Christmas present," said Durango Mountain Resort spokeswoman Loryn Kasten.

Even though the snow began before the calendar officially declared the start of winter, the storm is already being called the biggest of the season. Before it's over, some say, it will likely be the biggest of the year.

As much as 20 inches of snow was forecast in Denver, where all nonessential city offices were closed early. Snow was predicted to fall through Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service posted blizzard warnings for most of eastern Colorado and adjoining sections of Nebraska and Kansas.

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard in case stranded motorists needed to be rescued.

Authorities closed portions of interstate highways in Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas throughout the day.

Winter storm or blizzard warnings were in effect for much of Nebraska, with up to 12 inches of snow expected by Thursday morning. Rain spread across much of the rest of the Plains.

Roads around New Mexico were still snowpacked and icy Wednesday. Numerous schools opened late or remained closed.