Small towns share snow removal strategies

As Colorado Springs, El Paso County and CDOT finished snow removal from the weekend storm and prepared for a new storm, Manitou Springs was still clearing ts steepest hills and narrowest streets.

Brad Walters, of Manitou Public Works, said it’s a challenge for his fleet of five plows to clear those areas because there isn’t enough room for bigger plows that could finish the job faster.

“Our guys are on 12-hour shifts,” Walters said. “They’re tired.”

Walters said the town has had more snow than normal, and crews have used more anti-skid material than they did last year.

“But we have more coming in,” he said.

Manitou crews also are responsible for clearing public sidewalks.

In Fountain, Bill Hughes, of the town’s public works department, said snowfalls there are rarely more then six inches and his fleet of five plows usually is sufficient to respond to any storm.

“The heaviest snow stays north of South Academy Boulevard,” Hughes said. “We only have a problem if there’s wind. Then we close streets if necessary.”