When it snows, Denver sees a beautiful display of unity as residents work together to clear the city’s sidewalks. And if they don’t, they get a ticket.
Here’s what you need to know about sidewalk shoveling — and all the rest of the wintery fallout.
You have to shovel your sidewalk
Every property owner and/or tenant must clear snow from the sidewalks along their property. That goes for both homes and businesses.
It’s OK to wait until the storm stops before you shovel. You don’t have to shovel paths to your door or elsewhere within your property — just the sidewalks.
To complain about a snowy sidewalk, call 311. For those unable to shovel, the city encourages neighbors to help neighbors.
Especially if you’re over 40 or inactive, the National Safety Council suggests these precautions to avoid injury:
- Don’t shovel while smoking or right after eating
- Push the snow; don’t lift it
- Use your legs, not your back
- Don’t exhaust yourself
- Carry a phone in case of emergency
The city has a team of inspectors
Once the snow stops, inspectors visit commercial properties first. The next day, they respond to complaints in residential areas.
If they find a snowy sidewalk, they leave a notice: Homeowners and renters get 24 hours to clean up their act. Commercial properties have four hours.
The city issues a $150 fine for people who don’t clear sidewalks after a warning. Unpaid fines are eventually registered as property liens.
What about other cities?
Snow-removal laws are common in Colorado. Other cities with similar requirements include Arvada, Aurora, Commerce City, Englewood, Glendale, Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton and Westminster.
Centennial neither requires sidewalk snow removal nor removes snow itself. The government asks that you shovel anyway.
If the power goes out
Report power outages to the utility company. Xcel Energy, Colorado’s main power provider, accepts reports a few ways:
- Text “OUT” to 96936
- Call 800-895-1999
- Online at xcelenergy.com
During an outage, dress in warm layers and close your home’s blinds, drapes and doors to keep warm. Keep your fridge and freezer closed to preserve food.
If someone in your home uses electrically powered life support, find a location with power or call for medical assistance. In an emergency, call 911.
If a tree falls
You’re responsible for trees on and your property, including the public right of way.
If a tree limb blocks a public street or right-of-way near your house, call 311. The city will deal with it, but they’ll charge you.
The only exception is for trees on the city’s designated “parkways,” which the city maintains.
If you’re dealing with a broken branch that’s still attached to a tree, use a licensed tree contractor.
If there’s a car crash
The Denver Police Department won’t respond to some low-priority crashes. Officers are focused on crashes that involve closed streets, injuries, impaired driving or crimes.
If you have a low-priority crash, exchange names and information from your licenses, registrations and insurance policies. You should still file a report via 911 or at a police station.
If you get stuck on the roads, call a tow truck. If your car gets towed and you don’t know where it went, call 720-913-2000.
