Loveland Announces Snow Response Plans as Winter Season Approaches

The City of Loveland has released its comprehensive snow removal strategy ahead of the approaching winter season, outlining a three-tier road priority system and 24-hour sidewalk clearing requirements that will guide municipal operations through the coming months.

City crews from Public Works, Utilities, and Parks and Recreation will operate two 12-hour shifts around the clock during snow events, beginning de-icing operations when conditions become imminent and switching to plowing once accumulation reaches approximately one inch, according to the October 1 announcement.

The city's snow operations focus on three priority levels that determine which roads receive attention first. Priority 1 roads including 14th Street SW, Taft Avenue and US 287 carry the highest traffic volumes and provide continuous passage for emergency personnel. Priority 2 roads such as Carlisle Drive and Dotsero Drive serve as collector streets connecting residential neighborhoods to arterial routes.

Priority 3 roads encompass remaining residential streets and are plowed only when the City Manager declares a snow emergency or the Public Works Director deems it necessary based on temperatures, available resources, forecasts and other variables rather than snowfall totals alone.

Regional Approach Mirrors Neighboring Cities

Loveland's three-tier priority system aligns with snow removal strategies used throughout Larimer County, according to regional transportation planning documents. Fort Collins employs a similar priority-based approach focusing on arterial routes first, followed by collectors and residential streets, with formal snow emergency protocols required for wider residential plowing.

Windsor and Berthoud also utilize three-tier classification systems, prioritizing main arterials and school routes before addressing residential areas as resources allow. Emergency declarations across the region are typically reserved for significant snowfall events where normal operations prove insufficient.

The coordinated approach reflects broader regional emergency planning frameworks established through the Larimer County Transportation Master Plan, which emphasizes critical infrastructure priorities and coordinated hazard response across municipal boundaries.

Sidewalk Clearing Requirements Apply to All Properties

Loveland Municipal Code requires property owners and occupants to clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall ends, regardless of actual sidewalk ownership. The responsibility extends to business tenants and applies to all properties with adjacent sidewalk access.

Initial violations can result in municipal code notices and court summons, with fines typically starting around $100 for first offenses. Property owners who fail to comply may face city-performed snow removal and billing, with possible liens placed on properties for unpaid charges.

The 24-hour requirement matches standards used throughout Northern Colorado, with Fort Collins, Greeley, and Longmont maintaining identical timeframes and similar enforcement through citations, city clearing services, and cost recovery mechanisms.

Snow Squad Program Assists Vulnerable Residents

The city's Parks and Recreation Department operates the Snow Squad program to assist residents physically unable to clear their sidewalks, including seniors and disabled individuals. The program matches eligible households with volunteer groups or city-assigned staff to perform snow removal within the same 24-hour window required of other residents.

Residents can apply for assistance through Parks and Recreation by phone, website, or in-person contact. The program coordinates responses following significant snow events and operates alongside broader community resiliency initiatives developed across Larimer County municipalities.

Fort Collins maintains a similar "Adopt-a-Neighbor" program with nearly identical eligibility and operational structures, while Windsor and Berthoud typically rely on informal volunteer groups or community organizations rather than formalized city-run assistance programs.

Regional snow assistance programs expanded significantly between 2015 and 2017 following major storms that highlighted the need for coordinated resiliency frameworks across Northern Colorado communities, according to county transportation planning documents.

Safety Emphasized During Active Operations

City officials stress that motorists should never pass snowplows during active operations for safety reasons. Crews work continuously during snow events with the goal of clearing roads to bare asphalt while maintaining safe conditions for both equipment operators and the traveling public.

The multi-departmental approach involving Public Works, Utilities, and Parks and Recreation staff ensures comprehensive coverage during winter weather events while maintaining essential city services throughout storm periods.

Residents can access detailed information about Loveland's snow operations and find contact information for the Snow Squad program through the city's website and Parks and Recreation Department.