The winter storm that blanketed Colorado with snow on Jan. 4 and 5 has triggered avalanche warnings for much of the high country.

Several feet of new snow combined with heavy winds have led to avalanche reduction efforts, including blasting. Crews began efforts during the storm late Wednesday night, leading to road closures at Monarch, Loveland and Berthoud passes.

Amy Ford, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Transportation, said the mountains around Vail are especially dangerous.

鈥淲e keep going until we hit pavement with all of these roads and plowing,鈥� Ford said. 鈥淩ight now, in the mountain corridor obviously we have some significant challenges still with conditions up there, avalanche reduction right now in and around Vail Pass. So you鈥檒l see us actively working the storm through tonight and into tomorrow.鈥�

Ford recommends travelers heading into the mountains check with COTrip.org to find out if highways are closed.