Snow Removal Laws Enforced by City

Snow Removal Laws Enforced by City

Leadville definitely got some snow. In addition, some areas around Lake County are reporting more than two feet has stacked up from the early-October storms to the impressive Veterans Day system.  But in Leadville Today, blue skies return and the rest of this week looks clear. So it’s time to talk about snow removal.

How’s it going in your neck of the woods? Is everyone in the neighborhood abiding by the laws concerning snow removal? Also, if you’re new to Leadville, do you even know what those guidelines are? It’s time to get schooled on the rules before you get ticketed or towed!

Last week, in an effort to avoid many of the issues encountered last winter, The City of Leadville Police and Street Departments sent out a reminder concerning snow removal within the city limits. Here is that media release:

As many of you may have already noticed, the four-hour parking on Harrison Avenue has been supplemented with “NO PARKING 2 AM TO 6 AM”.  The side streets to the alleys have been changed to “NO PARKING 2 AM TO 6 AM WHEN IT SNOWS.”  These restrictions are in place for winter weather to allow the City Street Department to clear away the ice and snow.   The Police Department has been tasked with enforcement of these restrictions.  Residents are reminded that any vehicles left parked in the restricted area between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Harrison; or, between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on the side streets when it snows may be ticketed.  We would like to shed a little light on the definition of “when it snows”.  Your Police Department considers “when it snows” to mean within 24-hours of any appreciable snowfall.  Please, try to keep up with the weather reports.  Should they be calling for a snow, please do not park in the 100 blocks of any of the side streets off of Harrison Avenue.

The Street Department has requested that we remind residents that parking in the alleyways at any time is prohibited.  Vehicles parked in the alleys often makes it impossible for crews to get their equipment down the alleyways to plow them.  Additionally, any structures, trash, debris or other objects placed in the alleys inhibits the Street crew’s ability to clear them of snow and ice.  Not only does it prevent the alleys from being properly plowed; but it often inhibits emergency vehicle access to the rear of many properties.

Code requires vehicles when parked on the street, to have their right-side tires no more than 12 inches from the curb.  Vehicles parked in such a manner that they obstruct traffic will be ticketed and towed.  Our streets are already narrow, with the snow we cannot allow vehicles to obstruct them further when parked.  Our goal is safety and to try to assure that we can traverse our street without having to yield the right of way to vehicle proceeding in the opposite direction.

Any vehicle parked in the same spot on the street for more than 48-hours can be considered abandon and removed under City Code.  Two years ago we had a large number of vehicles buried in snow causing a hazard to the motoring public and making it near impossible for our Street crews to keep the streets clear of snow and ice.  This year, your Police Department has placed a priority on having vehicles moved so as not to become an obstruction or impede plowing and snow removal efforts.  We completely understand that many of us have no other place to park, but please try not to have vehicles parked in City right of way for extended periods of time.  The Police Department does not like to tow vehicles.  We will, however, not let the problems we faced two years ago develop if we can help it.

“Toots” Purkat shovels off the sidewalk at his Front Street business Green Door Collectibles which he operates with his wife Ruth during the summer months. If he can clear his sidewalk, so can you! Or better yet, help out your older neighbors with the chore. Photo: Leadville Today/Kathy Bedell

Motorists are also reminded that the Model Traffic Code prohibits parking within 5-feet of a private or public driveway, within 15-feet of a fire hydrant, 20-feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or 30-feet of a traffic signal, stop or yield sign located at the side of the roadway.  These distances are in place to provide a proper and safe sight distance for traffic to pull from these places.  Parking in violation of these distances creates a safety hazard, especially in winter conditions.

Proper clearing of snow from our streets is essential to limiting ice buildup and allowing our storm drains to work as designed.  If our drains are covered with snow, it does not allow the water from melting snow to drain away properly, causing it to run down the side streets onto the Avenue; where it often lays until it freezes causing hazardous road conditions.

Residents and snow removal contractors are reminded that they cannot push, shovel or throw snow from their property or in front of their property, onto or in front of their neighbor’s property.  We want to caution those contractors who are clearing parking space not to push that snow into the next space or in front of the next house, it is a violation of City Code.  Additionally, contractors are prohibited from plowing snow into a pile at intersections.  The piles of snow become sight distance issues and are hazardous.

With your help and cooperation, we can make this winter our safest ever.  Should you have any questions, please contact your Police Department (719-486-1365)  Street Department ( 719-486-1166) or the Mayor’s Office (719-207-2072). We thank you in advance for your cooperation this winter.