Arvada Thanksgiving Roundup: Store Hours, Weather, Safety

ARVADA, CO — Many Coloradans are planning to gather again with friends and family for Thanksgiving this year after last year's hiatus.

If you traveled last Thanksgiving during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, traffic is going to look a lot different in Denver's metro area this year, especially if you plan to make the trip by car — it will be wise to give yourself plenty of time to make it to your destination.

The best time to travel in metro Denver on Thanksgiving Day is before 11 a.m., and the worst travel times are between 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., according to this year's travel forecast released by AAA.

As more Americans get vaccinated against COVID-19 and U.S. borders reopen to fully vaccinated international travelers, more than 53.4 million people are expected to travel in our country this Thanksgiving, AAA reports.

Thanksgiving Day Grocery Store Hours

In our excitement to once again cook a complete holiday meal, it's quite possible we'll forget an item or two on our grocery lists. Fortunately, plenty of grocery stores in Denver's metro area will be open Thanksgiving Day, so that you can pick up that missing can of cranberry sauce or additional package of biscuits.

Grocery stores such as King Soopers, Safeway, Whole Foods and Sprouts will be open on Thanksgiving Day; however Costco, Target, Walmart and Trader Joe's will be closed — here's a list of grocery stores that will be open in Denver's metro area.

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Thanksgiving Day Weather

You can expect a sunny sky and a high around 54 in Arvada, but then the temperature is expected to drop to a low around 34 in the evening, according to the National Weather Service. West wind is set to gust between 6 and 10 mph, but could reach 16 mph.

Thanksgiving Safety

Masks are again required in indoor public spaces in most of Denver's metro area, including Jefferson and Adams counties.

Arvadans should avoid crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, and it's safer to be outdoors, the CDC says.

For anyone who may be sick or has symptoms, the message is to stay home and away from others. They should also get tested for the virus as should anyone who may have been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19, the agency says.

The CDC has also issued some additional guidelines, including for anyone with a weakened immune system who the agency warns may not be fully protected even if they have been fully vaccinated and have gotten an additional vaccine dose. The CDC advises that they should continue taking precautions currently recommended for anyone who is unvaccinated until their health care provider says otherwise.

And regardless of transmission levels, if someone in your household is at increased risk, has a weakened immune system or hasn't been vaccinated, the CDC says people may choose to wear a mask in these situations.

Anyone traveling for the holidays should consult the CDC's travel page.