Take this storm and shovel it

Homes, businesses and governments regularly receive kudos for their increased use of solar energy for power generation and heating. But for snow and ice removal? Not so much,

Waiting for the sun to melt winter’s worst from roadways usually isn’t an option, especially when temperatures hover on either side of zero for up to a week after a storm, as they did this week – so cities, counties and the state bring out the plows.

Sidewalks are another matter. When a public sidewalk abuts a home or business, it’s that property owner’s responsibility to get it cleared promptly after a snowstorm. It’s too often not being done, however – as the Business Report’s copy editor discovered during an arduous two-mile trek along East Harmony Road from College Avenue to the newspaper’s office at McMurry. Where there should have been sidewalks, he inched across skating rinks worthy of the Avs or Eagles, pockets of epic powder and icebergs that would worry a sea captain. He saw too many fellow pedestrians – including some disturbingly young ones – courting disaster by choosing instead to walk in the busy thoroughfare’s bike and turn lanes.

So it seems a reminder is in order.

City codes in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley require property owners to remove snow and ice from the public sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours after the snow accumulation stops. Code-compliance inspectors respond to complaints and proactively patrol to address any violations. First-time offenders might get a sticky note stuck to their door that gives them another day to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk. Otherwise, sidewalks in violation are cleared by a city-hired contractor and the property owner is billed for the service. That levy could include both a removal fee and a fine. Greeley’s public-works folks actually specify that you’d be hit with the costs of abatement plus 20 percent – and administrative fees of $50.

To report a violation, call the nuisance hotlines at 970-416-2200 in Fort Collins or 970-350-9833 in Greeley, or the police in Loveland at 970-667-2151.

So don’t get reported. Clear your sidewalk – but use some common sense:

• Pile the snow on your lawn or other out-of-the-way surface, not in the street. Piling or blowing snow into a public right-of-way is a municipal code violation because it can present a potential traffic hazard. It also can block the flow of drainage, which can create flooding once temperatures rise – and haven’t we had enough flooding for awhile?

• Just because a particular stretch of street-side walkway isn’t paved doesn’t mean it’s not a sidewalk. If there is no built sidewalk along a public right-of-way but pedestrians customarily use the street or unpaved areas next to it for walking, such paths need to be cleared.

• If your property is on a corner, be sure to clear and maintain the walkway all the way to the street and avoid leaving piles of snow and ice at the crosswalk.

Let’s say you’ve done the responsible thing and shoveled your sidewalk properly, but then a city snowplow comes along and covers it all up again – and blocks your driveway as well – as it’s clearing the street. Not your problem! A city employee or a contractor hired by the city will remove this snow within 24 hours, at no expense to the affected property owner, and you can call the city if it isn’t done promptly. It’s paid for with the one government “slush fund” we all can love.

And remember, Coloradans, this too shall pass. The snow will end for awhile in just four months … or five … or six …

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