Minneapolis weather is not 'unique' OTOH there are a lot of factors that add up to something you aren't seeing in Denver (other many places).
So list out the unique things that have been brought up in this thread:
Minneapolis is colder than Denver
Minneapolis stays colder than Denver
Denver is more than 5° closer to the equator
Minneapolis' shortest day of the year is 8:46; Denver is 9:21
Denver is over 4,000 ft higher elevation
the 3 points above mean that the sun in Denver is strong and there is more hours of sun every day
Denver ground temperatures are warmer, the soil is barely been below freezing, Minneapolis soil temps are as cold as 18F this month and have been constantly below freezing temps for months.
Minneapolis (Twin Cities) area has a population 3.4 million; Denver-Aurora area is 2.8 million
All of this means that experiences in Denver's winters is not the same as Minneapolis. If you'd like to continue argue that sub-zero black ice isn't a thing, please find another city that combines the above statistics for Minneapolis, move there for a winter or two and report back. But let's be clear, on this topic, Denver is not comparable.