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A person attempts to brush snow off the hanging tree branches after a late spring snow.

Denver Prepares to Deploy its Big Plows and Residential Plows in Response to Weather Forecast

With several inches of snow expected to fall in Denver starting later today into Wednesday followed by prolonged cold temperatures, Denver is preparing to deploy its big plows to the main streets and residential plows to the side streets.

The big plows will deploy when snow starts to accumulate today. The residential plow drivers will work a 12-hour shift from 3:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesday, utilizing a fleet of small snow plows to help provide a path for residents to get to the main streets. Here is a link to some photos and short videos of our small snow plows.

What to expect from the residential plows:

  • When deployed, the residential plows will take a single pass down the center of each side street to keep streets passable and prevent deep ice ruts.
  • The plows will shave the top few inches of snowpack off the street and will not expose bare pavement.
  • The 4×4 pickup trucks with plows do not carry deicing material.

On-street bike lanes

During swift, heavy snowfalls, on-street bike lanes may become snow packed. These snowy/icy conditions may linger in the bike lane several days after the storm, particularly in shady locations. Call 311 or use Pocketgov.com to report problem areas. People on bikes should be prepared to ride in a shared lane condition during this snow event, utilizing the outermost lane available and may want to consider alternate transportation options based on health, ability, weather conditions and equipment. Drivers should be aware and share the road with people on bikes.

Plowing protected bike lanes

Denver uses a small specialized plow for its protected bikeways that can drop deicing material, based on weather conditions. Denver’s snow response program aims to address each protected bikeway at least once per 12-hour shift.

Sidewalk shoveling rules

Denver requires that property owners clear snow and ice from their sidewalks, including the ADA ramps adjacent to their properties. Please do not shovel snow into a street or bike lane.

After snow has stopped falling, businesses need to begin clearing their sidewalks immediately.  Residences need to clear their sidewalks by the next day.

Inspectors with Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development leave a time-stamped notice at properties with un-shoveled sidewalks.  After receiving a notice, businesses have four hours before the inspectors re-check and a potential $150 fine.

Help a neighbor: Residents are encouraged to help one another, especially neighbors who may not be able to shovel snow because of health issues. 

More information about snow removal in Denver can be found at www.denvergov.org/snow.

With several inches of snow expected to fall in Denver starting later today into Wednesday followed by prolonged cold temperatures, Denver is preparing to deploy its big plows to the main streets and residential plows to the side streets.

The big plows will deploy when snow starts to accumulate today. The residential plow drivers will work a 12-hour shift from 3:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesday, utilizing a fleet of small snow plows to help provide a path for residents to get to the main streets. Here is a link to some photos and short videos of our small snow plows.

What to expect from the residential plows:

  • When deployed, the residential plows will take a single pass down the center of each side street to keep streets passable and prevent deep ice ruts.
  • The plows will shave the top few inches of snowpack off the street and will not expose bare pavement.
  • The 4×4 pickup trucks with plows do not carry deicing material.

On-street bike lanes

During swift, heavy snowfalls, on-street bike lanes may become snow packed. These snowy/icy conditions may linger in the bike lane several days after the storm, particularly in shady locations. Call 311 or use Pocketgov.com to report problem areas. People on bikes should be prepared to ride in a shared lane condition during this snow event, utilizing the outermost lane available and may want to consider alternate transportation options based on health, ability, weather conditions and equipment. Drivers should be aware and share the road with people on bikes.

Plowing protected bike lanes

Denver uses a small specialized plow for its protected bikeways that can drop deicing material, based on weather conditions. Denver’s snow response program aims to address each protected bikeway at least once per 12-hour shift.

Sidewalk shoveling rules

Denver requires that property owners clear snow and ice from their sidewalks, including the ADA ramps adjacent to their properties. Please do not shovel snow into a street or bike lane.

After snow has stopped falling, businesses need to begin clearing their sidewalks immediately.  Residences need to clear their sidewalks by the next day.

Inspectors with Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development leave a time-stamped notice at properties with un-shoveled sidewalks.  After receiving a notice, businesses have four hours before the inspectors re-check and a potential $150 fine.

Help a neighbor: Residents are encouraged to help one another, especially neighbors who may not be able to shovel snow because of health issues. 

More information about snow removal in Denver can be found at www.denvergov.org/snow.

[Shared on behalf of our friends at the Department of Transportation and Infastructure]