CDOT: Expect fewer snow plows unless a lot of snow falls

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Officials with the Colorado Department of Transportation say there were only 16 snowplows on El Paso County roadways Tuesday.

That's far less since the last snowfall we saw in late October, when CDOT said they had over 100 pieces of snow-fighting equipment mitigating interstates and highways.

CDOT says they were hopeful the timing of Tuesday's storm will help keep roads empty.

"This storm in particular is hitting when the governor is requesting people stay at home or stay closer to home, so we're hoping people are off the roadways," says Michelle Peulen, Communications Manager with CDOT. "If you are on the roads, make sure you're giving plows the necessary space."

CDOT says to stay at least 200 feet behind a plow, and never pass one on its right side. They're also urging drivers to take it slow despite minimal snow impacts.

CDOT says they do not plow residential neighborhoods or side streets. That's up to the Colorado Springs Public Works Operations and Maintenance Division, and they only treat residential areas that got at least six inches of snow.