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Emergency & School Closure Information

Stay Informed

When severe weather, emergencies or other unexpected situations affect the school day, Douglas County School District (DCSD) communicates closures, delays and other important updates with families as quickly as possible.

Receive Emergency Notifications

To receive emergency and school notifications via text message, text Y or YES to 68453.

Families should also make sure they are receiving SchoolMessenger emails and have not unsubscribed from or blocked messages from the school or district.

School closure and delay information is also posted in a banner at the top of the DCSD website.

Weather-Related Closures & Delays

Colorado weather can change quickly. When winter weather is expected, DCSD monitors conditions throughout the county to determine whether schools can operate safely.

District staff evaluate road conditions, conditions at schools and current weather forecasts. Experienced transportation and grounds staff provide information from locations throughout Douglas County to help district leadership assess conditions.

The Superintendent makes the final decision about whether schools will operate normally, open on a delay or close.

Because conditions can vary significantly across Douglas County, DCSD may make a decision for the entire district or for specific regions.

If Schools Remain Open

Snow and ice are a normal part of Colorado winters, and families should allow additional travel time and use extra caution when conditions are poor.

Parents and guardians ultimately know what is best for their family. If you believe conditions in your area make travel unsafe, you may choose to keep your child home.

If There Is a 90-Minute Delay

When DCSD announces a 90-minute delay:

  • Schools begin 90 minutes later than their normal start time.
  • Bus routes run 90 minutes later than their normal schedule.
  • Before-school childcare programs begin 90 minutes later than usual.
  • Full-day preschool and kindergarten programs operate on a 90-minute delay.
  • Morning preschool programs are canceled.
  • Decisions regarding other before-school activities may be made on a school-by-school basis.

Families should watch for additional communication from Larkspur Elementary regarding school-specific programs or activities.

Where to Find Closure & Delay Information

When a closure or delay is announced, families can find official information through:

  • The DCSD website, where an alert will appear at the top of the page
  • SchoolMessenger email and text notifications
  • The DCSD mobile app
  • DCSD social media channels
  • Local media outlets

For the most current information, families are encouraged to rely on official DCSD communications.