Council delays vote on snow-and-ice removal rule after accessibility concerns

Fort Collins City Council voted to postpone second reading of Ordinance 203, a proposed change to the city’s snow-and-ice code, to Feb. 17, 2026, after multiple Disability Advisory Board members and residents raised concerns that allowing up to 2 inches of snow on sidewalks could make routes inaccessible to people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Daisy Montgomery, chair of the Disability Advisory Board, told council the staff summary for the ordinance “did not include any analysis of accessibility or ADA impacts” and warned the change could shift winter barriers onto residents least able to navigate them. Mandy Morgan, a DAB member and wheelchair user, told council she feared being isolated during winter if sidewalks are not cleared.

Laurie (city staff for code/compliance) said the city is not removing the 24-hour removal requirement but is proposing to change when the city steps in to abate. “We still have the ability to do citations… but we’re trying to sort of balance practicality with safety,” Laurie said, explaining that many municipalities set an accumulation threshold between one and three inches and that the 2-inch proposal reflects local snow patterns and staffing considerations.

Staff also described enforcement options: first offense fines would start at $100, second at $300, third at $500, and a fourth or subsequent offense could lead to misdemeanor citation. The city reported 386 abatements out of 3,532 cases year to date, with most cases resolved without abatement.

Council members debated outreach; several said they wanted more formal input from the Disability Advisory Board, the Senior Advisory Board and transit-related boards. Council then voted 6–0 to postpone second reading to Feb. 17, 2026, giving staff time for additional board engagement and potential minor adjustments.