Snow Removal Responsibilities in Highlands Ranch

Metro District staff plows snow along 150 miles of trails and sidewalks adjacent to major roads in the community. Douglas County is responsible for plowing snow along our streets.

Streets	Trails & Parkway Sidewalks	Residential Sidewalks
Removal Timeline: Begins at snowfall	Removal Timeline: Three inches of snow has accumulated and/or it is likely to remain on the ground for more than 24 hours	Removal Timeline: Removal required within 24 hours after snow stops
Scope of Responsibilities: Approximately 2,400 lane miles throughout Highlands Ranch. Priorities: Major arterial roads Collector roads (streets connecting major arterial roads to residential streets) Residential streets Cul-de-sacs	Scope of Responsibilities: 150+ miles of hard surface trails and sidewalks including: 38 miles of hard surface trails 112 miles of sidewalks along arterial roads Metro District buildings Priorities: Essential Metro District buildings Sidewalks and hard surface trails Parking lots at community and neighborhood parks	Scope of Responsibilities: Sidewalks in front of and along the sides of a home Adjacent mailboxes, where present Adjacent fire hydrants, where present

Service Guidelines

1. Snow depth – Metro District staff will begin plowing when three inches of snow has accumulated and/or it is likely to remain on the ground for 24 hours. If there is less than three inches or site conditions are unsafe, the snow crew coordinator will determine the need to remove snow based on weather forecasts and site conditions.
2. Follow-up – Follow-up will occur on consecutive days after a snowfall to ensure safe passage. Ice melt or sand will be applied as needed.

Snow Removal Priorities

• Snow plowing will be provided for these facilities in the following order:
  
  1. Metro District Staffed and Programmed Buildings
  2. Northridge Park parking lots
  3. Arterial sidewalks and trail system
  4. Parking lots at all other parks
• Major snow events may necessitate a change in priorities. Deep accumulating snow and unusually heavy snow can be increasingly taxing on staff and equipment, sometimes extending the amount of time it takes to clear trails and sidewalks. Essential Metro District buildings will remain a top priority, however removal of snow on sidewalks directly adjacent to streets may be delayed due to high volumes of street-plowed snow. With safety of staff and preservation of equipment firmly in mind, sidewalks adjacent to streets will be cleared as soon as conditions permit.
• If you have questions or comments, please contact the Metro District at 303-791-2710.
• To learn about Douglas County’s snow removal policy, click here.

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Snow removal is required within 24 hours after the snow has fallen.
• Remove snow from sidewalks bordering your home.
• Remove snow around mail boxes and fire hydrants if present.

Trail and Sidewalk Snow Removal FAQ

Colorado is known for its beautiful snow scenes and Highlands Ranch is no exception. When it snows, our community’s service providers work in tandem to ensure our citizen’s access to roads, trails and sidewalks as soon as possible.