DENVER — Denver, Boulder, Aurora and the Front Range could see more than a foot of snow this week — which means it may not all melt right away. That leaves some residents wondering when — or if — city snowplows will make it to smaller neighborhood streets.
Most cities focus their snow removal efforts first on major roads, higher-volume streets and streets adjacent to emergency centers. After that, the focus turns to residential streets.
Denver
"We will deploy our fleet of small plows to the side streets when enough snow has fallen, and they can be helpful in clearing a path to the main streets in a significant snowfall event," Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson Nancy Kuhn said. "The residential plows will shave the top few inches of snow off the street; they won’t bring the street to bare pavement."
Denver said plowing of residential streets typically happens between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. Residential plows take a single pass down the center of each street.
The city has a fleet of 36 residential plows, which are 4x4 pickup trucks with plows attached. The city said they got them ready ahead of this storm.
Arvada
"Residential streets are not routinely plowed unless they have steep hills with chronic icing problems," the city said on its website. "However, they will be plowed if the City Manager declares a snow emergency."
Aurora
The city of Aurora said secondary and neighborhood through streets are plowed after Priority 1 and 2 routes are completed.
"With the city’s financial and physical resources in mind, snow removal on smaller neighborhood streets only takes place during the most extreme weather conditions as approved by the Public Works director," the city said on its website.
Boulder
"We prioritize clearing emergency access routes, major arterial streets, access to hospitals, schools, transit and critical infrastructure, as well as neighborhood streets with steep slopes and the city’s multi-use path system for walking and bicycling," City of Boulder spokesperson Julie Causa said.
Broomfield
Broomfield said residential streets will be plowed based on the amount of snowfall:
- 4+ inches = one lane plowed
- 12+ inches = two lanes plowed
Brighton
"Our first priority in any snowstorm is to make sure our main thoroughfares are plowed and passable. We then move into the other routes indicated on the map," City of Brighton spokesperson Kristen Chernosky said.
Castle Pines
When Priority 1 and 2 streets are passable, smaller residential streets, cul-de-sacs, and all other roads will be plowed.
Castle Rock
Residential streets are plowed after primary roadways and when snow accumulation is expected to be above a certain amount.
- From March 15 to Nov. 15, residential streets are plowed if snow accumulation is expected to exceed 8 inches on the roadway.
- From Nov. 15 to March 15, residential streets are plowed if snow accumulation is expected to exceed 4 inches on the roadway.
Centennial
When directed by the City Manager, snow plowing will be expanded to include Priority 3 residential streets at the same time as the Priority 1 and Priority 2 streets. Priority 3 residential streets will get one pass in each direction by a pickup truck snowplow.
Commerce City
Streets located primarily in residential areas are only plowed after Priority 1, 2, and 3 routes are completed. They are also only plowed when snow accumulations completely block traffic movement.
Unincorporated Douglas County (Highlands Ranch/Sterling Ranch)
Local streets and cul-de-sacs are usually cleared last. During heavy storms, snow may not be removed until the following day after arterials and collectors are plowed.
Englewood
When accumulations are 8 inches or above, the city will plow the centers of all residential streets to allow for one passable lane.
Erie
Residential roads will not be plowed unless there are large accumulations of snow that are expected to last several days. If that happens, residential streets are plowed down the center of the street (one pass).
Fort Collins
Priority 4 streets, or streets primarily located in residential areas, are plowed only when snow accumulations completely block traffic movement, or when a Snow Emergency has been declared.
Golden
Once primary streets are determined to be "passable", secondary streets and then residential streets will be plowed.
Greeley
Smaller local and neighborhood roads "will be maintained when snow amounts and weather forecast warrant," the city said.
Greenwood Village
The city said staff will plow all roads within the village, including residential areas. Residential streets and cul-de-sacs are cleared after the main routes are cleared.
Lakewood
Residential streets are only plowed in severe cases when snow depths are seriously impeding vehicle mobility and melting is not forecasted to occur quickly.
Littleton
When Littleton receives six or more inches of snow and once all Priority 1, 2 and 3 streets have been cleared, crews may plow the center of the residential streets.
Longmont
Longmont said they have designated snow routes "designed to create an efficient network for accessibility through town."
Louisville
If more than two inches of snow have accumulated, residential streets receive one pass after main roads have been plowed.
Northglenn
The city is divided into four sections for plowing. Secondary routes like collector streets and residential areas (specifically stretches with dangerous hills, curves and intersections) are given priority after primary routes.
Superior
Priority 3 streets will be treated after the storm has ended and there is an accumulation of 2 inches, the city said. Remaining residential streets are usually plowed or treated only after severe winter storms with accumulations of 6 inches to 12 inches.
Thornton
The city has three classifications for winter storms and responds accordingly.
- Class I - A storm that lasts less than 12 hours with snow accumulations of less than 4 inches.
- Class II - A storm that lasts more than 12 hours with snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches.
- Class III - A storm lasting more than 24 hours and snow accumulating over 9 inches.
Only during a Class III storm will the city bring additional equipment to plow residential streets. Residential areas will receive one pass down the middle of the street.
Westminster
If more than 8 inches of snow has accumulated on pavement, all residential areas will receive service, the city said.
Wheat Ridge
The city said Priority 3 streets are hilly residential streets where pavement traction may be required for vehicles to access properties. Other residential or low volume streets will not be plowed or treated unless it snows 10 inches or more between Dec. 1 and March 1, the city said on its website.
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