With a storm expected to drop up to a foot of snow on Friday, the governor declared a disaster emergency and activated the national guard.

Governor Jared Polis has declared a disaster emergency in response to Colorado's major winter storm. According to a release from the governor's office, Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency due to the severe weather conditions expected in parts of Colorado and authorized unarmed Colorado National Guard members to provide winter storm response support.

Major, potentially historic snowfall is expected throughout Colorado on Friday and Saturday. Governor Polis is making preparations.

Travel could become difficult or impossible Friday night, as a winter storm dumps multiple feet of snow in areas of northeast Colorado, according to the National Weather Service. RELATED: Colorado road conditions: Heavy snow freezes traffic across Colorado,

On Thursday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency due to an incoming winter storm projected to drop feet of snow over the Eastern Plains and upward of a foot of snow in the Denver metro.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has verbally declared a disaster emergency due to the severe winter weather conditions throughout Colorado. Polis declared the emergency late Thursday and authorized unarmed Colorado National Guard members to provide winter storm response support.