Got snow on your sidewalk in Colorado Springs? Your 24-hour clock to clear it may have already started. Keeping walkways passable keeps neighbors safe and helps you avoid fines or liability. In this quick guide, you will learn exactly when the deadline starts, how enforcement works, what to do if you cannot shovel, and a few practical tips to make winter easier. Let’s dive in.
The 24-hour rule, defined
Residential sidewalks: You must remove snow and ice from the public sidewalk next to your home within 24 hours after snowfall stops. The city defines “stopped” as a period of no snowfall that lasts more than four hours, which is when the 24-hour clock begins. You can review the exact language in the city’s ordinance on snow removal and timing in the municipal code.
Business sidewalks: Non-residential properties must clear sidewalks by 5 p.m. on the next business day after the snow stops. This timing is also set out in the city’s municipal code.
What “when it stops” really means
Colorado Springs starts the 24-hour window after the “termination of falling snow,” which the code defines as any break in snowfall that lasts more than four hours. If snow pauses for four hours overnight, your clock starts then. If it starts snowing again, a new pause of more than four hours will reset the start time.
How enforcement works
Code Enforcement responds to unshoveled sidewalks and may issue notices after the 24-hour window. If the city hires a contractor to clear a sidewalk, the owner can be billed for removal and administrative costs under the city’s abatement procedures. Failing to clear sidewalks can also create civil liability, which is why the city treats snow removal as a public-safety duty in its ordinance.
How to report an unshoveled sidewalk
Use the City of Colorado Springs reporting portal, GoCOS, to submit a sidewalk concern. It is the official channel for non-emergency issues. You can file a report online through the GoCOS portal.
City plowing facts that affect you
Public Works prioritizes main roads first. Residential streets are addressed only after primary routes are safe and are often not plowed unless accumulation reaches about six inches or resources allow. You can see plow priorities and updates on the city’s snow information page.
During bigger storms, some streets are declared snow routes. Vehicles that block plowing can be towed, so move your car off the street when the city asks. Check maps and guidance on snow routes and plowing.
Best practice: shovel snow into your yard, not into the street. City guidance urges placing snow on lawns or landscaped areas to avoid creating hazards or having it pushed back by plows. Tips for handling plow berms are listed on the city’s snow information page.
Safety, liability, and accessibility
Leaving snow and ice can be considered negligence under the city’s code. Clearing on time helps reduce injury risk and potential liability, and it supports safe travel for everyone.
For businesses and busy corners, keep accessible routes open. Federal accessibility guidance notes that curb ramps, bus stops, and accessible paths should remain usable during winter. Avoid piling snow in curb ramps or access aisles, and keep those areas clear as part of your routine. Learn more about accessible public rights of way from the U.S. Access Board’s guidance.
HOAs, private streets, and who is responsible
If you live in an HOA community, responsibility can depend on whether a sidewalk is part of a common area or tied to your individual lot. Check your CC&Rs or talk with your community manager to confirm who handles which areas. For context on how HOAs assign maintenance, see this Colorado HOA resource on common elements and responsibilities.
If you live on a private street or in an unincorporated area, plowing and enforcement can differ from the city’s process. Confirm whether your street is city, county, or private. The city’s plow page lists contacts for CDOT and El Paso County on the snow information page.
Quick 24-hour checklist
- Start the timer: clear residential sidewalks within 24 hours after snow stops, as defined by the city’s code.
- For businesses: clear by 5 p.m. the next business day.
- Shovel into your yard, not the street; expect plows to push berms back across driveways.
- Create a small snow pocket on the down-street side of your driveway so plow berms settle there.
- Treat ice early and recheck shaded spots.
- Clear around hydrants, mailboxes, and curb ramps.
- If you cannot shovel, ask a neighbor, hire a contractor, or look for volunteer help in your neighborhood.
- Report problem sidewalks through the city’s GoCOS portal.
For buyers and sellers
Sidewalk snow removal is a recurring homeowner task in Colorado Springs. Staying on top of it protects curb appeal and keeps showings safe in winter. If a property is in an HOA, confirm which areas the association covers versus the owner’s responsibility. You can read the city’s summary of shoveling guidance on the Neighborhood Services page.
Ready to navigate winter homeownership or a winter sale in Colorado Springs with a local expert who values accessibility and clear communication? Reach out to Maria Gallucci for guidance tailored to your goals.
FAQs
What is the sidewalk snow removal deadline in Colorado Springs?
- For homes, clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after snowfall stops; for businesses, clear by 5 p.m. the next business day, per the city’s ordinance.
How does the city define when snowfall has stopped in Colorado Springs?
- The 24-hour window starts after a break in snowfall that lasts more than four hours, as defined in the municipal code.
How do I report an unshoveled sidewalk in Colorado Springs?
- Submit a request through the city’s official GoCOS portal, which routes issues to Code Enforcement.
What happens if I do not clear my sidewalk in Colorado Springs?
- The city may issue notices, arrange contractor removal, and bill you for costs under abatement procedures; the ordinance also allows civil liability for injuries.
Are there tips for handling plow berms at the end of my driveway?
- Shovel snow onto your yard and create a small pocket on the down-street side of your driveway so plow berms land there; see the city’s snow information page for more tips.
