Pagosa Country is finally experiencing winter weather and, with it, snow removal.
The following information is from the Archuleta County Road and Bridge Department and includes the county’s snow removal regulations.
The Road and Bridge Department plows approximately 340 miles of roads, which are categorized on a priority basis and the roads with higher priorities are plowed first, such as school bus routes. Remaining roads are plowed based on priority and route efficiencies.
Under normal circumstances, plowing operations begin at 2 a.m. when there is snowfall accumulation in excess of 4 inches, though some lower-priority roads may not be cleared the day of the storm.
Hills are sanded for safety, as required.
On days without snow, crews will clean up and push back snow on routes as needed. All roads may not receive attention on those days.
Weekends and extended-shift plowing may take place under the direction of Road and Bridge Department management.
In extreme circumstances, county roads may not receive same-day snow removal. Top-priority roads will be plowed and kept open on extreme snow days, while lower-priorty roads may not receive attention on those days.
Typically, there are two separate snow removal operations that take place.
The first is during the storm itself and consists of passes with the plows to keep the roads open and includes clearing a path sufficient for two vehicles to pass, and clearing cul-de-sacs enough to allow a vehicle to turn around.
The second operation begins when the storm subsides and consists of widening the traveled portion of the road, pushing the snow back and plowing out wide spots on the roadways. It may be several days between the initial plowing and cleanup.
Unfortunately, each operation may result in a berm of snow across private driveways or encroachments to county roads. While a reasonable effort is made to plow in a manner that will minimize the snow that is left, it is the responsibility of the residents or business to remove the berms.
Kids playing in the snow banks left by snow removal equipment, such as building snow caves and forts, is a safety concern because the machines are large and can move an enormous amount of snow, and may be moving and pushing snow banks back at any time.
A property owner may also be liable for any injury attributable to a hazard or the removal of a hazard he or she has created in a public right of way.
Vehicle owners and property owners who leave vehicles in a public right of way are likewise subject to prosecution and vehicle impoundment.
Roadside parking inhibits thorough plowing and vehicles will be towed without notice.
Homeowners and contractors are advised to not push snow across a county road at any time.
Following are tips to increase the safety of driving near snow removal equipment.
Following are numbers that may prove to be helpful in times of inclement weather.