Amid plummeting temperatures and the anticipation of even colder weather, Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster declaration to mobilize the state’s emergency services tasked with deploying resources for the cold snap looming this weekend.

This declaration authorized the use of the Colorado National Guard to ensure people can access resources they need to stay safe as temperatures drop into single digits, followed by dangerous wind chills. 

“No one should freeze to death in our state for lack of shelter. We are working with cities and local communities to ensure that everyone has a warm place to go during this extreme cold snap,” the governor said in a news release.

Polis’ declaration officially activated the Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan, a statewide framework to coordinate action during times of emergencies and recovery. 

The weekend will see the Denver region getting hit by a polar vortex, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. Temperatures are expected to hit single digits from Saturday to Monday, accompanied by wind chills that could bring temperatures to as low as negative 20 degrees.

Warmer weather will not peak its head until Tuesday, when temperatures will inch back into the 30s.

The disaster declaration directed the Department of Public Safety and its Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to “take all necessary and appropriate state actions to assist the affected jurisdictions with their response, recovery and mitigation efforts,” the governor’s office said in a news release.

As part of the emergency preparations, officials have opened warming centers and shelters at the following places:

• United Way Cold Weather Shelter at 870 28th St. in Greeley

• Guadalupe Center at 1442 N 11th Ave. in Greeley

• Catholic Charities at 460 Linden Center Dr. in Fort Collins

• Murphy Center at 242 Conifer St. in Fort Collins. The center will be open Friday to Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• In Jefferson County, multiple shelter locations were posted on the Severe Weather Shelter Network website

• For Thornton, officials urged people to call the community connections hotline at 720-977-5900 for open locations.

• In Denver, the Denver Navigation Campus (former Doubletree hotel) and New Directions (former Best Western hotel) will be open overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. City recreation centers (in designated areas only) and libraries will be also available as warming centers during normal operating hours.

Officials warned people in the path of the cold to avoid staying outside for extended periods of time, leaving animals outside and using stoves, barbecues and ovens to heat homes. These can create a significant risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a public health advisory from the Douglas County Health Department.

The Douglas County Health Department also noted that people should check on family members, friends and those with limited mobility and limited access to heat, such as older adults or those who are ill.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission said people should keep natural gas meters and dryer vents clear of snow and ice. People with fireplaces should also close dampeners when they aren’t using it to prevent heat loss.

Polis’ office advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor activities until Tuesday.