Snow Removal Policies

SNOW REMOVAL OBJECTIVES
The principal objective of the Gunnison County Snow Removal Program is to provide for safe and efficient travel on County roads during and after inclement winter weather.  Snow and Ice control is considered a core Public Works program, vital to the economic and social welfare of the County. Economics require a balance between the level of service provided and resources available to perform the service.  

Gunnison County’s Snow Removal Program is staffed and equipped to effectively and efficiently respond to the conditions normally expected to occur during the winter months. Typical hours of County plow operation are 4am to 6pm. When severe winter storm events occur that are beyond those normally expected, services may be delayed. During these severe storm events residents and visitors are encouraged to limit travel on the County’s road system. 

The Public Works Department utilizes local, national, and customized weather forecasts and databases in order to anticipate and be prepared for the intensity of a forecasted storm. Equipment is made ready for the application of traction materials and plowing during normal working hours for that storm as it is forecasted. Each equipment operator is assigned a specific route for snow removal and/or application of traction materials. 45 minutes is the expected response time for staff.  

PLOWING PRIORITY
Assignment of roads to a route is determined by area supervisors based on priority of the road and for the most efficient utilization of equipment. The roads on each route are prioritized using the following criteria:

1. Bus Routes (School and Transit)
2. Traffic Volumes
3. Road Hazards (grade, shade, remoteness, speed)
4. Route Optimization
5. Economic Impact
6. Snow Amounts

When extreme weather conditions exist, such as heavy snow, high winds, low visibility, avalanche danger, etc. Gunnison County may, at the discretion of the Public Works Director or their designee, close roadways or cease snow removal operations until it determines that conditions warrant safe plowing and snow removal operations.

Extreme weather information alerts can be subscribed to at: https://gunnisoncounty.org/145/Emergency-Management

Gunnison County will not respond to requests for nighttime snow removal unless that request is from a law enforcement or emergency management agency in support of an active emergency response.

SNOW REMOVAL POLICIES

1. Gunnison County normally removes snow from the roads identified on the Gunnison County plow map, found at gunnisoncounty.org. Gunnison County will normally remove snow when accumulation exceeds 2 inches on paved or hard surface roads. The County will normally remove snow from gravel, dirt, or native roads when accumulation reaches 4 inches. Under special circumstances plowing may occur with less accumulation at the direction of the Public Works Director in their discretion. The manner in which the snow is removed is an operational, discretionary decision made by the Public Works Director or designee. 
2. Gunnison County will normally apply traction material on steep hills, curves, and at intersections. Additionally, special attention will be paid to school zones, acceleration/deceleration locations, heavy traffic areas, and other areas with known friction issues.  Continuous application of traction material will only be performed when it is deemed necessary to provide a reasonably safe driving surface for the average motorist or it is deemed a cost or schedule advantage, this specific situation will be directed by the Public Works Director at their discretion.  The application of traction material may be suspended during periods of heavy snowfall because the material is quickly covered and ineffective. The County is not liable for any damage relating to the application of traction material or from the traction material on the roadway.
3. Postal regulations require residents to clear snow around mailboxes to allow for mail delivery. Gunnison County will not clear mailboxes to facilitate delivery. This applies to individual and joint mailbox structures. Gang mailboxes may receive plow services if 6 or more addresses are represented.
4. Given the vast expanse of Gunnison County and diverse weather conditions, all motorists are advised to have their vehicles equipped with adequate tires and/or tire chains, warm clothes, water, blankets, and food during inclement weather.
5. Gunnison County will not provide towing services for private vehicles which are stuck in the snow or have run off the road.  Motorists are expected to engage the services of a commercial tow company to free the vehicle. In rare circumstances, such as when the road is entirely blocked by a stuck vehicle, Gunnison County may move the vehicle to a safer location and will bear no liability for this action.
6. Gunnison County will not be responsible for any damage to newspaper boxes, trash cans, mailboxes, trees, fencing, or other objects in the right of way from cast snow.  It is the property owners’ responsibility to ensure that items in the R.O.W. are properly placed, marked, and sturdy enough to not be damaged or destroyed by snow cast by passing snowplows. Gunnison County will not be responsible for any damage to unmarked, uncleared, and/or hidden items in the R.O.W., even if physically struck by County equipment in the act of removing snow.
7. CRS § 43-5-301 prohibits plowing, blowing, shoveling, storing or otherwise depositing snow from private properties onto or across a public road or right-of-way; including the roadside ditch.  Property owners, renters, and private snow removal operators should store snow from driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots on their property and not in the roadway or the right-of-way.  This practice reduces hazards on the roadway and helps to ensure proper drainage when the snow melts.  Violations are civil infractions, and a person committing such a violation may be civilly liable for any injuries caused to others or for property damage. Gunnison County will not plow private roads or private driveways except in the case of a life-threatening emergency.  Snowed-in residents who experience a life-threatening emergency should call 911.
8. Gunnison County assumes no responsibility for the removal of snow deposited in or across driveways as a result of snow removal operations. A windrow or berm of snow may be deposited in or across driveways both during initial plowing operations and again during widening and clean-up operations. If practicable, the County may remove berms during cleanup days but is under no obligation to do so.
9. Many roads in Gunnison County are not plowed in the winter. The decision to not remove snow in the winter involves the consideration of many criteria. Decisions regarding a change in winter service level will be made by the Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in its sole discretion.  Consideration of requests for change will only occur when a written request is received per the Public Works Standards and Specifications. 
10. Private Plow Permits may be issued by the BOCC in its sole discretion. Only the permittee is allowed to plow the permitted section on the County road, and other conditions, such as indemnification of the County and insurance requirements, may apply. 
11. Streets on which vehicles have been abandoned or otherwise parked so as to restrict the safe and continuous operation of snow removal equipment may not be plowed until those vehicles are removed. The County may request the vehicles to be towed in order to provide for public safety at the owners’ expense.  See CRS § 42-4-1803(2).