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1. What are residents responsible for clearing?

Town Code requires all businesses and residential property owners and/or tenants to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 48 hours of each snow event, with 2 inches or more of accumulation. If you live on a corner, snow removal is required on both sidewalks - in the front and on the side of your property. Residents should also keep curbs and gutters free of ice, to allow drainage and prevent buildup. 

Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022.

2. Why don't plow drivers specifically clear to the north side of the street?

For safety and efficiency, plow drivers cannot change plow directions based on the street. The Town's policy is to plow residential roads from the center outward, providing a passable lane in each direction, placing snow along the side. This prevents favoring one side over another and is time efficient. Most roads are usually crowned (sloped) so they can drain to the gutters; this allows for the travel lanes to dry more quickly, preventing melt from refreezing over the road.

Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022.

3. How do I report an ice issue?

The Town has invested in two ice-breaking attachments to address major ice buildup issues. Residents can request ice breaking in a specified area by emailing the Public Works Department or by calling 720-733-2462. Public Works will evaluate icy areas of Town and prioritize treatment in the same manner as plowing, starting with priority No. 1 streets, and by looking at the severity of the buildup and traffic volume. With the number of sunny days in Colorado, some icy areas will be left to melt on their own.

Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022.

4. Why do plow drivers dump snow on freshly-cleared driveways or sidewalks?

Snow is never intentionally dumped onto cleared driveways and sidewalks; however, it will happen as plows move quickly. To help with the issue, pile snow onto the grass rather than the street, and continue to clear driveways as plows visit your neighborhood. Snow that is piled on the street will likely be pushed back into your driveway by a plow. 

Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022.

5. Who can I reach out to if I need help removing snow?

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities who are unable to clear snow from their sidewalks may receive assistance from the following organizations:

• Aging Resources of Douglas County: A free assistance and referral program for qualified seniors needing help with light maintenance and chores – donations are accepted. To learn more, call 303-814-4300 or email the Aging Resources of Douglas County team to ask about their assistance program.
• To the Rescue: A program that provides a range of services offered to all community members, with specialized services for seniors and persons with disabilities. To learn more about their services, email the To the Rescue team or call 720-851-2100.

Updated Nov. 18, 2022.

6. What does the Town do with snow Downtown?

Downtown has its own plow route. Plow drivers will clear a lane in each direction, with snow pushed to the middle. If a significant storm occurs, trucks and a snow blower will haul away snow. More often, plow drivers will slush out the snow, moving it back and forth across the road to help it melt. It is recommended that businesses choose one parking stall on each block to pile snow into, so the rest remain available for use.

From Dec. 1 through March 31, there will be no parking on portions of Third and Fourth streets from midnight and 7 a.m. Signs have been placed marking these areas so plows can clear snow in hard-to-clear sections.

Updated Nov. 18, 2022.

7. What kind of deicer does the Town use?

The Town only uses one type of salt treatment on the roads: ice slicer. This material is effective down to zero degrees, whereas most salt mixtures stop working at 15 degrees. When temperatures are expected to remain lower than zero degrees, the Town will use a gravel mix to maintain traction. Treating roads before a storm helps prevent icing, especially on elevated roadways and bridge decks. Cold, dry conditions are best for pretreatment, as precipitation washes the mixture away.

To lower environmental impacts and preserve the Town’s stormwater system, the snow team optimize the amount of products used to get the job done.

Updated Nov. 18, 2022.

8. How many snowplows does Castle Rock have?

The Town has 17 plow trucks, two of which are scheduled for auction in 2023. We also have 10 4x4 trucks with front plows, four front-end loaders, a snow blower and a motor grader. All of these vehicles work together depending on the significance of the storm. 

Updated Jan. 5, 2023.