Emergency snow response services fall within the purview of Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI). Our workforce takes pride in performing snow removal services in an efficient, effective and fiscally responsible manner, with a response plan that is proven and economical for normal winter weather conditions in Denver.
Goals of the snow response plan include improving the safety and mobility of our transportation system by plowing city streets as efficiently as possible, keeping priority streets passable, and minimizing traffic disruption.
DOTI provides snow response to approximately 2,050 lane miles of main streets, or most streets with stripes, utilizing a fleet of 70 large plows. Denver also has a fleet of 36 smaller, residential plows, which deploy on the side streets if enough snow has accumulated to where the 4×4 pickup trucks can be helpful in clearing a path for drivers to get to the main streets.
Keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice
Everyone enjoys safe, clear sidewalks – and it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the sidewalks adjacent to their home or business clear and accessible. Shovel all sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, and bus stops around your home or business as soon as it’s practical and safe.
Shoveling tips for property owners:
- Be proactive and come up with a plan for addressing sidewalks before it snows.
- Shovel into your yard and away from roadways and bike lanes, so plows don’t push the snow back onto your sidewalks.
- Use the shovel to push the snow; don’t lift it.
- Shovel early! When snow isn’t shoveled, it gets packed down and becomes ice. Shoveling all the way to the pavement will also prevent ice from forming.
- Salt can be damaging when it runs off into your lawn or the storm sewer with the snowmelt. Look for eco-friendly and pet-safe deicers.
Snow removal enforcement
- Timing: After snow has stopped falling, businesses need to begin clearing their sidewalks immediately.
- Residences need to clear their sidewalks by the next day.
- Inspectors leave a time-stamped notice at properties with un-shoveled sidewalks.
- After receiving a notice, businesses have 4 hours and residences have 24 hours before the inspector’s re-check and a potential $150 fine.
- Report A Problem: If it has been more than 24 hours after a snow event and sidewalks near you are still not shoveled, please call 3-1-1 or submit a report to pocketgov.com.
