Your Top Questions About Snow and Ice Response in the City of Boulder, Answered

Winter in Colorado means snow! Even before flakes start to fall, city snow crews are constantly monitoring conditions to prepare for winter weather. Though the team works around the clock to clear snow from city streets during and after storms, one of the most important things to remember is that normal travel conditions cannot always be maintained when there is snow and ice on the ground.

400+ miles of streets and 70+ of multi-use paths are regularly plowed by city snow crews and local partners. The city prioritizes emergency access routes, major arterial streets, and access to hospitals, schools, transit and critical infrastructure, as well as neighborhood streets with steep slopes.

Here are answers to some of the most frequent questions we receive about snow removal in the City of Boulder.

Have more questions? We have answers.

Like other Front Range communities, the city does not typically plow side and residential streets since most snow usually melts within a day or two and because this would significantly increase costs, impacting other high-priority city services.

1. Streets and multi-use paths

   The fastest way to notify city staff is via the button at the bottom of the Report Snowy / Icy Streets page. You can also leave a voicemail at 303-413-7109.

2. Sidewalks

   Use the button at the bottom of the Sidewalk Snow and Ice Report Page you can also call Code Enforcement at 303-441-3333.

The team will inspect the area and will service depending on conditions and after prioritized streets and multi-use paths are cleared. If Boulder experiences significant snow followed by below freezing temps, the result can be layers of packed ice, and the city's equipment can’t break up packed ice. Multiple reports for the same location aren't necessary.

Like most communities, city property owners, managers and tenants are required to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice within 24 hours after snow stops falling. This includes a 5’ path on curb ramps.

While crosswalks that connect multi-use paths are cleared by city snow crews, normal travel conditions cannot always be maintained during winter storms and community members may experience some snow in these areas. This happens more frequently if there is a turn lane, as plows and traffic push snow onto the crosswalk.

Bus stops are typically located within city right-of-way and are not considered part of the sidewalk. The city and RTD have responsibility to clear bus stops. There are over 550 bus stops in Boulder.

There is no code provision that prohibits an HOA from plowing a private street. However, city code prohibits work in the public right of way without a permit and the city does not issue permits for private parties to plow public streets. This is to regulate work activities within the public right of way, and to protect the integrity and operation of the transportation system.

During winters when Boulder gets a large volume of snow, packed snow will remain even after trucks have plowed the street. It is important to note that plows and snow clearing equipment move snow from one place to another instead of removing it entirely. If Boulder experiences significant snow followed by several days of below freezing temps, the result can be layers of packed ice, which the city's equipment isn’t designed to remove.

We are in the process of reviewing and potentially updating our Snow and Ice Response Program. Stay tuned for upcoming community engagement opportunities in 2024, which will be posted here.