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Commissioners give first reading to ordinance banning depositing snow or ice on county roadways; public hearing set Aug. 12
Summary
The board approved first reading and publication for an ordinance that would bar depositing snow or ice onto travel lanes; the proposed draft sets civil fines and exempts routine county plowing.
The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners gave first reading on July 22 to a proposed ordinance that would prohibit depositing snow or ice on county roadways and set civil penalties for violations.
Paralegal Sarah Bacek introduced Ordinance 25-01, the county’s draft snow-and-ice-deposition ordinance, and explained the typical process for ordinance adoption: first reading (introduction), publication and a public hearing followed by second reading and adoption. The board voted to publish the first reading and set the public hearing for August 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the commissioners’ chambers (the notice will indicate the hearing occurs at 9:30 a.m. or later).
Key points in the proposed ordinance:
- Prohibition: It would be unlawful to deposit snow or ice in a traveled portion of a county roadway. - Responsible party: The proposed text places primary responsibility on the property owner where the snow originated; enforcement language also allows action “in the act” against the person doing the depositing. - Exceptions: Small-scale shoveling that does not impair roadway use and temporary deposits created by county plowing operations are explicitly recognized. The draft includes a narrow exception for county plowing activities that temporarily leave snow on road shoulders as part of routine or extraordinary snow-removal operations. - Penalties: Civil penalties are proposed, including a fine up to $250 per violation; the draft treats each day a continuing violation and would permit daily penalties for unresolved deposits. At the board’s request, the county attorney suggested clarifying language that each day of a continuing violation “shall be deemed a separate offense subject to the penalties set forth in section 3.5.”
Bacek and the county attorney answered commissioners’ questions about enforcement practicality: enforcement would be by citation issued to the property owner (the draft notes that a property owner is responsible because the snow originated there) and suggested sticker warnings or preprinted citations to help the sheriff’s office.
Commissioners and staff discussed common situations: drivways repeatedly windrowed after county plows pass; neighbors who shovel small amounts onto the road berm; and how county plowing sometimes leaves snow at driveway aprons during operations. The draft text attempts to balance safety (keeping travel lanes clear) and practical needs (allowing routine county operations and small shovels that do not impair travel).
The board voted to publish the ordinance for public notice and scheduled a public hearing and second reading for August 12.
Ending: County staff will publish the ordinance text, prepare signage and warning stickers in coordination with the sheriff’s office and return to the board on Aug. 12 with the public record for second reading and final action.
