DENVER (AP) -- Snow totals are mounting rapidly across Colorado Friday as a powerful winter storm clamors across the state, stretching as far south as New Mexico.

The weather has forced the cancellation of nearly 600 flights at Denver airport, closed parts of Interstate 70 and sparked a run on grocery stores before the worst weather descended.

The eastbound storm brought blizzard warnings to eastern Colorado and winter storm warnings to southeast Wyoming, western Kansas and western Nebraska.

In New Mexico, the Department of Transportation reported difficult driving conditions on several state highways because of icy snow.

One of the hardest hit areas is Evergreen, west of Denver, where 3 feet of snow have fallen. Ten inches fell in Denver and 14 in Boulder.

Colorado lawmakers have canceled legislative work, and many school districts announced they would be closed.

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