What to do with fallen tree branches following late-season winter storm

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs Utilities is giving some advice about to do with fallen tree branches in light of late-season winter storm that caused damage across Southern Colorado.

First and foremost, if a fallen tree is touching a power line, Springs Utilities is asking the community to not touch the tree or the power line as they can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or death. The company is asking you to immediately reach out to your utility provider if you see a downed power line.

If the downed tree or branch is not touching a power line, the company is asking you to find out if the tree is on private or public property.

If the branch is on private property, it's the owner's responsibility to remove the branch. If it's on public property, here's what the utility company suggests:

• If the fallen tree is on public property or in the public right of way (blocking traffic), contact the city or county, depending on where the tree is located:
  • For NON-emergency assistance with downed trees in Colorado Springs, residents can use the GoCOS! mobile app or call (719) 385-ROAD.
  • To report a downed street tree in the public right of way (blocking public traffic) in El Paso County, visit https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com or call (719) 520-6460
  • CITY AND COUNTY SERVICES CANNOT REMOVE TREES OR DEBRIS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. A list of tree/debris removal companies can be found at the bottom of this page.
  • For service requests in other areas, here is some contact information:
    • Monument: 719-649-1887
    • Fountain: 719-390-5555
    • Manitou Springs: 719-685-2639
    • Green Mountain Falls: Use the Kudos & Concerns reporting form on the town website for non-emergency reports

To find contact information for your local power utility, please visit their website. We have compiled a list of links for El Paso County’s local power companies below:

• Colorado Springs Utilities: https://www.csu.org/Pages/default.aspx
• Mountain View Electric: https://www.mvea.coop/
• Manitou Springs Utilities: https://www.manitouspringsgov.com/268/Utilities
• City of Fountain Utilities: https://www.fountaincolorado.org/government/city_departments___divisions/utilities
• Black Hills Energy: https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/

To learn more about what the company suggests, click here.