You do, if the sidewalk runs along your property. The City plows the streets. Everything between the curb and your door is your job, and that includes the walk in front of a rental.
Who is responsible for shoveling a sidewalk in Durango?
City code requires the owners or occupants of any property that abuts or adjoins a public sidewalk to keep it clear of snow and ice (City of Durango). The city's reason is practical. Pedestrians, people using mobility devices and students walking to school all rely on those walks.
The code says "owners/occupants," so a tenant can be on the hook as well as a landlord. Who handles it day to day is a lease question. Read yours, and ask your landlord in writing before the first storm.
What does the city plow?
Streets, not sidewalks or driveways. The city says it plows 164 lane miles of road and clears snow from 55 city blocks in the Main Street commercial area. During storms, crews work around the clock in seven zones. The order matters if you live on a cul-de-sac:
1. Major roadways and access to fire stations, hospitals and other emergency facilities 2. Collector streets and school bus routes 3. Residential streets and cul-de-sacs 4. Alleys, last
Can you push snow into the street?
Where does the snow go once your walk is clear? Anywhere but the road. Depositing snow from private property into city streets is against city code. A lawn works better. The city notes that snow on grass melts into free water for plants. As for the end of your driveway, expect the plow to leave a berm there. The city asks you to wait until it has come through before you dig out that spot and the mailbox, and after a big storm it may be a day or two before crews push snow fully to the gutters.
What is a snow route, and what happens if you park on one?
A snow route is a street the city has marked as essential for getting around. Once more than two inches of snow piles up, you can't park on one. Leave a car there and it can be towed. The fine for not moving it runs $25 to $50, plus towing and storage, per a city news release. Downtown has a twist: an "Alternate Side" pilot closes one side of the street, every other day, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. It covers seven blocks between East Second and East Third avenues. To check your own street, type your address into the city's snow route map. Durango Alerts, the city's notification list, tells you when routes go into effect.
How do you report a sidewalk that nobody has cleared?
Call Code Enforcement at 970-375-4930 or file a report online. For questions about plowing itself, call 970-764-7394.
How do you clear snow without hurting the river?
The city's guidance is simple. Use as little deicer as you can, because melting snow carries it through the storm system to the nearest water body. Check snowblowers for fuel or oil leaks before use. Pile snow on grass, gravel or other soft ground rather than near street inlets.
Who can you hire to clear snow?
Some local landscapers handle it. One example in our directory is Custom Edge Landscaping and Snow Removal, on Florida Road, rated 4.7 on Google across 11 reviews. Browse the landscaper category for more, and get a written scope before the season starts. Our seasonal home maintenance guide lists what else to do before the first storm. These are City of Durango rules, so if your home is outside city limits, check with your HOA or the county. Planning a remodel before winter? See whether you need a building permit.