Old Man Winter sure knows how to make an entrance, especially here in Denver. Just ask poor Sarah, who lives near Cherry Creek. Last November, after the first real cold snap, her automatic gate decided to stage its own protest. One minute, it was gracefully swinging open; the next, it was grinding to a halt, refusing to budge. Turns out, a little snow and ice accumulation, combined with some overlooked maintenance, had frozen up the mechanisms. Sarah, shivering in her car, quickly learned that neglecting your automatic gate when the mercury drops is a recipe for a real frosty headache. And she’s not alone! Many homeowners assume their robust gates can shrug off the elements, but winter in the Mile High City brings unique challenges that demand specific attention.