Snow Removal

Reminders

• Note that the City will clear snow over 2" for Priority 1 and Priority 2 areas. For 4" inches or more snow, the City will clear Priority 1 through 4 areas. Refer to the Priority Map of Louisville below.
• Never plow or shovel snow into any street or alleyway.
• Since snowplows must move quickly enough to get the snow off of their blade, they may inadvertently throw snow far enough to cover sidewalks and/or create a pile of snow at the end of your driveway (called a windrow).
• Do not pass snowplows:  In 2019, Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 19-1265 into law, increasing penalties for motorists who pass snowplows. It is now a Class A traffic offense to pass a snowplow operated by a state, county or local agency when the truck is displaying its lights and operating in a tandem formation with one or more snowplows. Stay back 200 feet behind a snowplow.
• If you are concerned about an area, you can send an email with a picture(s) for our team to evaluate.
• Our goal is to make streets passable, not totally clear them of snow. The City will push snow to the side of the street. If local streets are passable and plowing the street will make it worse, or it will push snow into driveways that people have already shoveled, our crews will leave them alone.
• Unfortunately, snowplows are too big to go around a cul-de-sac.  That is why they come down the street, stop and turn around and leave before entering. Cul-de-sacs are a Priority 4, which means they are one of the last streets to be plowed since they are a less-traveled road. Cul-de-sacs require a much smaller truck with a V-plow to maneuver around.  Both cul-de-sacs and half circles will receive a pass that is completely around the cul-de-sac perimeter to provide for accessibility to residents and passage of trash collection vehicles.
• For residents, snowy weather brings slippery sidewalks. City code requires property owners to clear sidewalks of ice and snow within 24 hours of the last accumulated snowfall.
• Residents can help by clearing packed snow and ice from the area around storm sewer inlets. This will help water from melting snow and ice get to the storm sewer and out of the street and gutter. 
• Residents can also help by clearing snow and ice around fire hydrants. In an emergency, every second counts.
• The City of Louisville has a program called Snow Busters for seniors that are unable to shovel their sidewalks. Contact Katie Tofte at 303.335.4919 or Email KTofte@LouisvilleCO.gov for more information. Boulder County also has a program for senior residents needing shoveling help through Cultivate.

Windrows

In order to clear the roadway, snow must be plowed to each side of the road.  This may leave a pile of snow at the end of your driveway (called a windrow) or on your sidewalk. This is difficult for our drivers to control.  In order for our drivers to provide the most efficient and cost-effective snow removal, continuous movement is required. It would be impossible for drivers to stop and clear each driveway entrance. 

Safety is also an issue, sas now plows have limited rear visibility, and clearing each driveway would require the driver to back the truck up. This could put children, animals, and other vehicles at risk of not being seen by the driver. 

Unfortunately, the City doesn't have the budget or manpower to go back and clear sidewalks or driveways.

To help with this issue, the City recommends that homeowners not shovel or blow snow into the street. If your street is plowed after you shovel, some snow will get back on your driveway. We understand that this can be frustrating. You can help by shoveling snow from sidewalks or driveways into your yard. Any snow placed in the street will likely be pushed back into your driveway by a passing snow plow.

This video may help you avoid windrow.