Douglas County Public Works-Operations Division has prepared this brochure to inform residents of the county's snow removal policies. Please read this online information and bookmark this site for reference.

Goal

Our goal is to provide snow removal to facilitate safe traffic flow for those drivers using Douglas County roads. (During major storms, every available piece of equipment will be deployed.)

Snow Removal Priority System

Due to specialized equipment, logistics, timing, available funding and manpower to provide efficient and effective snow removal for county-maintained roads, we assign a snow removal priority to each road.

Priority 1 - Arterial

Arterials are roads which provide for high traffic volumes over medium to long distances. Arterials are used for inter-regional, inter-county, and intra-county travel needs.

Priority 2 - Major/minor Collector

Collectors collect and distribute traffic between arterial and local roads, serve as main connectors within subdivisions, and link one subdivision with another. Collectors generally do not provide direct access to private property.

Priority 3 - Local Roads

Local roads provide for low to medium traffic volumes within subdivisions and provide direct access to residences or private property.

Priority 4 -cul-de-sacs

The following roads are the maintenance responsibility of the Colorado Department of transportation (cdot): I-25, Highways 83, 85, 86, 105 from Wolfensburger RD. To HWY 67, HWY 67 from HWY 85 to Rampart Range, and County Line Rd. (north).

General Information

The time required to clear snow and ice from roads varies depending on the following conditions:

• snowstorm intensity
• snowstorm duration
• temperature
• traffic conditions
• time of day

Because of these variables, the County may not be able to plow or sand roads at the same hour each day or on occasion even the same day of the storm. Normal hours of operation are 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This schedule provides time for crews to plow and sand Priority 1 and 2 roads in preparation for the morning and evening rush hours. Once arterials and collectors are cleared, crews will start on local roads and cul-de-sacs.

Important Procedures

• Plowing begins as soon as there is snowfall accumulation (regardless of amount).
• Limited sanding is done during a snowfall because falling snow covers the sand and it is scraped away on subsequent plowing passes, requiring additional sanding.
• Subdivision roads will not be plowed if parked vehicles or other obstructions interfere with the safe and continuous operation of snow removal equipment. Equipment will return to plow after parked vehicles or obstructions are removed.
• School bus routes are assigned Priority 1, or 2, and given special attention.
• Operators will return to widen roads as conditions warrant. During a major storm, cleanup operations may be on-going for three to four days after the storm.
• Mailboxes installed along roadways are at the risk of the owner. Mailboxes damaged from lack of owner maintenance, snow load from plowing, or vandalism are not the responsibility of the County. Postal regulations require residents to clear snow in front of mailboxes to allow mail delivery.
• During winter, the freeze/thaw effects on pavement can rapidly form potholes. Crews will be dispatched as quickly as possible to repair potholes. Temporary materials must be used during winter and may not endure. Please report potholes by calling 660-7480, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the County plow my street when they go by?

Routes are plowed on a priority basis with arterials and collectors being our top priorities. Clearing priority roads opens routes into all residential areas, usually within a few blocks of each residence.

Why don't crews work 24 hours-a-day?

Resources are limited; operators cover more than 1,000 miles of road. Schedules are focused on peak traffic periods - morning, afternoon rush hours and school bus schedules. During a major storm, operators often spend 12 to 16 hours a day on the road.

After I cleared my driveway and sidewalk, snow was plowed into them. Who is responsible for clearing it?

Residents are responsible for clearing driveways and sidewalks. We cannot provide an exact time when operators will plow your road; and it is impractical for us to change the angle of the blade to avoid driveways. If we did, snow would be left in the street.

After the storm, the plow came through and plowed my driveway shut again.

Cleanup/widening operations often take place one to four days after the storm, depending on the severity of the storm and wind conditions. It is necessary to widen roads to insure the ice and snow melts off the driven surface. Failure to do so will result in ice and snow packed roads not wide enough to accommodate storage of snow from follow-on storms and will prevent proper drainage, resulting in increased ice problem.

What if I have an emergency and my street isn't plowed?

If an emergency situation occurs, call 911. Equipment will be diverted for emergencies only when requested by an emergency service agency or the Douglas County Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Department has constant communications with our staff during storm conditions. It is a crime to make a false emergency request.

How Can You Help

• Be patient, be assured that during a snowstorm every reasonable effort will be made to keep roadways open. During a major snowstorm, all our operators and snow removal equipment will be on the road.
• Do not attempt to stop a snowplow or obstruct its path. Plows must maintain speed for maximum efficiency.
• When approaching snow removal equipment from the rear, travel a minimum of 200 feet behind allowing for sanding and abrupt movements.
• Use extreme caution when passing snow removal equipment, before you pass please honk your horn and/or flash your headlights to alert the operator you intend to pass.
• Do not park along snow routes. In residential areas, leave room for plows to get through safely-if possible, park off the street.

Winter Driving Tips

• Do not drive unless you must.
• If you must drive, exercise extreme caution. Driving on snow-packed and icy roads requires your full attention and demands your best driving skills.
• Have adequate snow tires or chains in or on your vehicle.
• Remember to brake slowly and leave adequate room between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Be patient, drive at reduced speeds.
• Allow sufficient travel time to reach your destination.
• Drive defensively - Be courteous.

Public Works phones are manned during normal office hours (regardless of conditions), 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. If you have further questions, please give us a call at 303.660.7480. In case of an emergency dial 911.

Thanks for your help.