El Paso County prepares for upcoming snowplowing season with 10 fewer drivers

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The county's Department of Transportation said Wednesday that it is ready for snow and ice removal despite being 10 drivers short of a full staff.

Officials said that 10 new drivers are joining veteran drivers in a three-day training session that started Tuesday and continues through Thursday.

Scotty Hall, the county's training program manager, said that the department's normal full staff is 25 drivers, not counting workers who drive converted pickup trucks or graders on gravel roads.

"We may have to double the areas that some drivers cover," he said. "We may have to delay plowing areas of less snow to focus on areas with more snow. Normally, we'd just keep drivers in their areas of responsibility. Our goal right now is to get these new drivers ready to go."

Whether as a refresher for existing drivers or training for new drivers, the session covers loading trucks with sand or salt brine, applying chains to tires, equipment operation and maintenance, and snowplow driving.

"We want to give them all the tools to get better before the snow hits," Hall said. "We'll send new drivers out with veteran drivers until they're ready to be on their own. The veterans will be on the worst roads and give new drivers easier routes."

Hall said that new drivers also are training to learn how to operate snowplows at night, which is their biggest challenge.

"We're also asking that people give us plenty of room to work when it snows, and avoid getting too close to the plows," he said.

Hall said that the county has had few issues acquiring fuel, sand, salt and other materials.

"We're ready," he insisted.

Equally confident is Cheryl Bay, one of the new drivers.

“I don’t feel like I’ve had anything too difficult yet," she said. "I don’t see the challenge yet. I know the challenge is coming. I'm doing this because I want to be a part of my community. I feel like I’m helping, in some way. And I want to pave the way for other women and give them a chance to see that there is opportunity.”

According to the department's website, county crews cover more than 2,100 square miles -- an area larger than the state of Delaware.