Information About Snow and Ice Removal in the City of Boulder
52% of streets and 100% of multi-use paths are regularly cleared by city snow crews, with the University of Colorado and other entities clearing portions of the path system. The city prioritizes emergency access routes, major arterial streets, and access to hospitals, schools, transit and critical infrastructure, as well as neighborhood streets with steep slopes.
Make It Clear Within 24 Hours
Help make travel safe for everyone! City of Boulder property owners, landlords and tenants are required to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Failure to remove snow from sidewalks before the 24-hour deadline may result in fines and having to pay for a private snow removal contractor.
Important reminders:
- Check the National Weather Service snowfall report for the last recording of "Light Snow" or "Snow" to determine when your sidewalks need to be cleared.
- Don't plow or shovel snow into any street or alleyway.
- Plows may need to push snow onto curbs and sidewalks to keep the streets clear.
- Contact Cultivate (303-443-1933) if you are a senior and need help clearing your sidewalk.
Check Snow Conditions
Interactive travel map
- Go to the Interactive Snow Removal Map page
- Enter your address in the upper right-hand corner of the map to find plowed routes and bus stops near you
Major intersection webcams
- View the live webcams at four of Boulder's largest intersections
Volunteer to Clear Snow
Shovel-a-Stop Program
The City of Boulder is committed to multi-modal transportation, including year-round access to bus transit. The city’s Shovel a Stop Program is an effort to increase the number of bus stops cleared after it snows. The city's snow and ice removal budget supports contractors hired by the city to clear approximately 40 high-ridership stops after at least two inches of snow accumulation. This program aims to bolster that number with community volunteer support.
Clearing bus stops helps prevent slips and falls and increases safety and accessibility for bus riders of all ages and abilities.
- Watch the program video
- Sign up to support this effort! Contact Transportation Planners Amy Lewin or Jenny Godwin with questions
Adopt-a-Stop Program
- Learn more and sign up for The RTD Adopt-a-Stop Program
Request Snow Plow
Snow Dispatch by phone
- To report icy street and multi-use path conditions during a snowstorm, please call the City of Boulder Snow Dispatch at 303-413-7109.
- The Snow Dispatch line is available when Public Works staff is on a designated special snow shift.
- You may also call city Transportation Maintenance at 303-441-3200 between 7 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to make a service request.
The Transportation Maintenance team will inspect the area and will service depending on conditions and after prioritized streets and multi-use paths are cleared.
Online service request
- You may "Make a Service Request" for street plowing using the button at the bottom of the Snow Plow Request page
Request Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal
Phone
To report sidewalks that haven't been shoveled within 24 hours after it stops snowing, call Code Enforcement Dispatch at 303-441-3333.
Online
Service requests submitted online will receive a response within four business days. (7:00 am - 5:00 pm, except holidays)
- Go to the Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal page and "Make a Request For Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal", at the bottom of the page.
Sidewalk Snow and Ice Information
According to Municipal Code Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal 8-2-13, any accumulation of snow and ice after a snowfall or snowdrift must be removed as promptly as reasonably possible and no later than 24 hours after the end of a snowfall or drift. Public sidewalks must be maintained clear of snow and ice as needed after the first shoveling. Homes and businesses on corner lots are responsible for clearing all public sidewalks that abut the property, this includes the walks along the front, side, and rear of the property and the pedestrian ramps connecting to the street.
What if I'm physically unable to remove snow from my sidewalk?
Senior citizens and physically disabled persons who are unable to clear snow from their sidewalks may receive assistance through the Cultivate SnowBusters Program. Please consider volunteering for this vital service that helps so many residents that need assistance. For more information call 303-443-1933.
Residents may also consider hiring a company to shovel the walks when they are unable to themselves or during extended vacations.
Some local churches, community groups, and neighbors may also be able to assist residents with this concern.
According to Plowing Snow Into Right-of-Way: 8-2-10 (c), snow can not be plowed into any street or alleyway by any person other than by City of Boulder snow removal crews, except in residential areas.
For more information, download the "Make it Clear".
Quick Facts
- 52% of streets and 100% of multi-use paths are regularly cleared by city snow crews, with the University of Colorado and other entities clearing portions of the path system.
- The city prioritizes emergency access routes, major arterial streets, and access to hospitals, schools, transit and critical infrastructure, as well as neighborhood streets with steep slopes.