Snowstorms Invade Colorado as President Obama Visits

Snow invades Denver, Colorado United States Of America Credit Getty Images

Patrick Luganda NECJOGHA Online, Denver
DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 26: PRESIDENT Barack Obama visited Denver as heavy snow was falling in most parts of Colorado. One of the biggest climate science conferences was taking place as the President visited. The World Climate Research Program Open Science Conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Denver brought together over 1000 participants from all over the world.

At the start of the week Colorado broke a maximum temperature record when 80 degrees Faranheit was recorded breaking an earlier record of 79 degrees Faranheit witnessed in 1999. Within 36 hours of the new record, vicious winds hit the state with rain and later snow in freefall.

The abrupt change in the weather pattern caused traffic to slow as well as power outages in several parts of Colorado. Tree branches heavily laden with snow snapped breaking powerlines and damaging buildings. Several schools were temporarily closed.

In the photo (above) people stand waiting in line during the snowstorm to see U.S. President Barack Obama speak at the University of Colorado Denver campus on October 26, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Obama launched a new plan to lower the cost of paying back student loans. The plan, to be implemented by executive order, would allow some 1.6 million students to cap their loan payments at 10 percent of their discretionary income starting in 2012. It would also forgive the balance of student loans after 20 years of payments.