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.

Storm Information

Jan. 26, 2022, 5 a.m.: City snow crews are active. A high temperature around 39 degrees is forecast for today. Another round of snow is expected to move into the area Thursday morning.

Road conditions in Boulder: Streets are mostly wet with some icy spots possible. Snow pack and icy conditions on off-route streets.

Road conditions around Boulder: Roads around Boulder are mostly wet with some icy spots possible. Snow pack and icy conditions on unplowed areas. Expect icy spots to develop as temperatures fall overnight.

Snowplow contest announcement winners 2021

Ten winning names for City of Boulder snowplows were selected from more than 200 entries as part of the city’s first-ever snowplow naming contest. The contest was open to students grades K-5 in Boulder and magnets with the winning names have been added to 10 city snowplows.

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.

Check Snow Conditions

Interactive travel map

Major intersection webcams

  • View the live webcams at four of Boulder's largest intersections

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

Sidewalk Snow and Ice Information

Make It Clear Within 24 Hours

Help make travel safe for everyone! City of Boulder property owners, managers and tenants are required to remove snow, ice, and sleet from their sidewalks, which includes clearing a 5’ path on curb ramps, within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Failure to remove snow from sidewalks and clear a 5’ path on curb ramps and curb extensions 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.

  • Sidewalks include curb ramps and curb extensions, which are the sloped pathways leading to streets and crosswalks, as well as the area beyond the bottom of the curb ramp that extends to the flexible plastic posts that form the curb extension.

  • Don't plow or shovel snow into any street or alleyway. It is best to place shoveled snow on lawns or other vegetated areas.

  • Plows may need to push snow onto curbs and sidewalks to keep the streets clear. The owner, manager and tenant of property abutting the sidewalk are responsible for removing that snow as well.

  • 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.

For more information, download the "Make it Clear" brochure.

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)

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.

Adopt-a-Stop Program

Snow Resources