Snow Removal

 

The Streets Division of the Public Works Department is responsible for snow removal in the Town's streets, business district alleys, and public parking areas.  The Parks and Recreation Department blows snow from designated Town sidewalks.  The Town averages about 218 inches of snow per year. Snow removal in Town presents special challenges due to the quantity of snow and the density of structures in a fairly confined environment.

The current policy of the Town is to plow snow when there is a snowfall of three inches or greater and blow snow from designated sidewalks at one inch. Because of the volume of traffic and parked vehicles the majority of snow plowing is accomplished between 12:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. To facilitate this, winter parking regulations are in effect from November 1 through April 30 and cars parked on the street must switch sides of the street every other night. This is so snow can be equally deposited on each side of the street over time.  For more details on snow removal, read the Snow and Ice Control Operations Plan  and the Snow Removal Map.  Sixth Street, or Colorado State Highway 135, is plowed by the Colorado Department of Transportation and Gunnison County on a 24 hour basis.

At this time, the Town does not subscribe to a bare streets policy. The difficulty with plowing midday assures that snow will build up on streets at times. The Town does not utilize de-icing or anti-icing chemicals on the streets. Sanding is done on an as needed basis. The exception to this is Sixth Street (Co State Highway 135), which is maintained by the State.

The Town is not responsible for clearing snow and ice from driveways, walkways, or sidewalks. This is the responsibility of the property owner or property owners adjacent to public sidewalks. Items that are placed on the Town right of way, which varies from 60 to 80 feet wide, are not the responsibility of the Town if they are damaged during plowing operation.

Snow is hauled from Town as time permits. The priorities for this activity are the snow storage lots in Town followed by Elk Avenue and the commercial core.

The Town maintains a fleet of four wheel loaders, four dump trucks, one motor grader, three skid steers, and a variety of snow blowers for use in snow removal.

All snow removal contractors operating within Town Rights of Way must have a snow management permit.

 

Snow Storage at Gravel Pit

The Town utilizes the gravel pit area for permanent Town snow storage purposes.  Additionally, the Town leases several spaces at the gravel pit for contractors to store snow from private residence and businesses in Town.  Due to the close proximity of the gravel pit and the Crested Butte Community Schools (CBCS), the Town restricts hauling to the gravel pit during certain time periods, which corresponds to student drop off/pick up at CBCS.  

 

Gravel Pit Hauling Restrictions:

Monday                  8:00-9:00, 3:00-4:00

Tuesday                  8:00-9:00, 3:00-4:00

Wednesday             8:00-9:00, 1:30-2:30

Thursday                8:00-9:00, 3:00-4:00

Friday                     8:00-9:00, 3:00-4:00

 

 

For additional information on snow removal, please call Town Hall at 970-349-5338.