Weather slows some trash pickup along I-25 in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- If it seems that there's more trash lately along Interstate 25 in the Colorado Springs area, you may be right.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the frequency of snowstorms this fall is delaying some trash removal.

"Snow removal is the top priority," said CDOT spokeswoman Michelle Peulen. "Once we do that, we get to the trash as we can, once the snow melts."

Peulen said CDOT has a contract with a private agency to pick up bags of trash along the freeway.

"Then CDOT comes to dispose of it," she said.

The private agency employs former prison inmates who do the work as part of their parole -- replacing Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, which employed volunteers who working off community service time.

"It also helps if people pick up the trash they're responsible for," Peulen said.

CDOT has an Adopt a Highway program, in which organizations and businesses volunteer to pick up trash along certain highways.

However, that program is not used on I-25 -- but CDOT also has a Sponsor a Highway program, in which people can donate money to pay the cost of cleanup.