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Board designates County Road A69 for over‑snow travel during winter season; winter maintenance agreement with town approved
Summary
The county on Nov. 5 adopted Resolution 2025‑36 to make a section of County Road A69 over‑snow use only during winter and to authorize a winter maintenance agreement with the town to permit a single‑lane plow for water plant access.
San Miguel County commissioners voted Nov. 5 to designate a stretch of County Road A69 for over‑snow travel only during the continuous winter season and to allow the town to perform limited winter maintenance for utility access.
County staff explained the change addresses a winter‑access issue near the Idarado mill and the town of Telluride—s water treatment plant. The operator of the private property that previously blocked full winter access has rescinded permission, creating the prospect that the road would appear plowed and passable in winter and that motorists unfamiliar with avalanche paths and turning limitations could become stranded.
The resolution, 2025‑36, authorizes a seasonal designation generally running from November through April and allows the road and bridge superintendent to set specific dates by conditions. The county will enter a winter maintenance agreement with the town of Telluride to plow only a single lane to reach the water plant and requires the town to leave at least a 5‑foot wide snow shelf along one side to preserve an over‑snow public travel corridor. County staff described a vertical gate design to allow controlled access and assigned the town responsibility for gate installation and maintenance.
County staff also identified a prior 2005 resolution that had designated the same road as a high country area road and had prohibited winter maintenance; commissioners voted to rescind the 2005 action to align county policy with current land use code provisions that allow winter maintenance on this lower segment.
The board adopted the resolution by roll call after a motion and second; the clerk recorded three ayes and the resolution passed. The road and bridge department will work with the town to finalize gate design and permit language before implementing the designation.
Why it matters: The change aims to reduce public safety incidents by preventing motorists from mistaking a plowed lane for full yearroad access and by preserving an over‑snow corridor for recreation (snowmobile, snowshoe) while allowing critical municipal access to the town—s water plant.
What comes next: Road and bridge staff and the town will finalize the winter maintenance agreement and gate installation plan; the superintendent will set exact seasonal dates for the over‑snow designation based on conditions.
