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Snow Response Plan
Snow and Ice Response Procedures
The Town of Lyons Parks and Public Works Department is responsible for providing snow and ice response operations on a seasonal basis as needed. Living in Colorado means understanding weather events and safe driving practices during snow, ice and freezing temperatures. The Town of Lyons recognizes the importance of snow and ice removal in order to provide safe passage for emergency vehicles and to facilitate safe traffic flow for motorists in the community.
Staff plans and utilizes its resources based on best available information and data and does its best to deploy available resources based on several variable conditions that come with winter weather and storms. Many factors including the rate and accumulation of snowfall, moisture content, temperature, time of day or night, wind direction and velocity, as well as duration of the event are all factors that interact to create a unique aspect for each storm with the result that no two storms are ever identical.
The Town’s Snow and Ice Response Procedures outlines priorities and operations during winter weather events. Streets, Sidewalks/Trails and Storm Drains are all cleared according to these procedures.
Shoveling
In accordance with the Lyons Municipal Code, property owners - including both residents and businesses - must remove snow or ice within 24 hours after the last accumulation. If sidewalks remain hazardous and unkempt, the Town may mitigate and charges will be sent to the property owner.
Lyons Municipal Code, Sec. 11-1-50:
It shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant of any lot, block or parcel of ground within the Town, or for any agent in charge of such property, to allow any snow or ice to accumulate or remain upon any sidewalk alongside such property longer than twenty-four (24) hours from the time of the last accretion of such snow or ice.
Thank you for your help in maintaining a safe environment.
Roadways and Plowing Priority
The Town of Lyons maintains approximately 9 miles of roadway. The Town is NOT responsible for State Highway 66, US-36 or State Highway 7 through Town. The remainder of the roadways within Town limits are prioritized based on category: Critical (red), Primary (green), Secondary (blue), Tertiary (purple).
The following is a description of each of the categories and when each is addressed during a snow event.
Critical (red)-Major Hills or Roadways in town which tend to become more difficult to pass in winter weather conditions. Inspected and treated as warranted anytime freezing temperatures and precipitation are expected.
Primary (green)-Arterial streets considered to be the main roads to be kept open for high traffic volume and access to and from neighborhoods, for emergency services and to schools and municipal services. Plowed and treated once accumulations reach 2 inches or greater.
Secondary (blue)-Collector Streets funneling traffic from residential areas to arterial streets. Plowed and treated once accumulations reach 4 inches or greater.
Tertiary (purple)-Other local streets and alleys with below average traffic. Plowed once accumulations reach 6 inches or greater.
Roadways Plowing Priority Map
Town-Managed Sidewalks
Shoveling/Plowing Priority
Town-managed sidewalks and right-of-ways are prioritized based on three different levels for area of impact (refer to map)
Critical (red on map )– areas that offer access to highly used Town buildings/facilities (Depot, Town Hall, Visitors Center) and RTD Park and Ride areas. These are treated (when warranted) anytime freezing temperatures and precipitation are expected, shoveled along with Primary Routes
School Routes (green on map) – Sidewalks that funnel pedestrian traffic to the High School. These are shoveled and/or plowed any time accumulations of 2” or more occur and treated as needed
Secondary Routes and Trails (blue on map) – Sidewalks and trails with below average traffic, often in parks. These are shoveled and/or plowed any time accumulations of 4” or more occur and treated as needed