Due to severe winter weather and a blizzard warning continuing through midnight tonight, all Douglas County government offices and courts are closed on Monday, March 15. Many County services remain available 24/7 online.
Douglas County Public Works Operations snow and ice removal crews are on snow-shift (alternating 12-hour shifts) for the next 24 to 48 hours as is the practice under blizzard and winter storm warnings, watches or advisories.
An additional 5 to 10 inches of heavy, wet snow is expected throughout the County with heaviest amounts in Rampart Range and southwest Douglas County. Winds are currently sustained at 15-30 mph, with some gusts up to 45 mph creating very hazardous traveling conditions.
The Douglas County public works operations department is monitoring the storm, and for those who live or work in unincorporated areas of the County (areas not in a town or city) the following is a brief summary of the County’s roadway snow removal plan.
- During a storm, all snow removal equipment is dedicated to high-traffic County roadways to ensure safe passage of emergency vehicles.
- Snow removal on neighborhood streets and cul-de-sacs will begin when the snowstorm concludes.
- Crews work a 24-hour-per-day schedule to remove snow until all County roadways (including neighborhood streets) are open and passable.
Residents in planned communities within unincorporated Douglas County, including Highlands Ranch and Stonegate, are responsible for removing snow and ice from their driveways and the sidewalks in front of their home within 24 hours of the completion of any storm. This is not only a requirement, but is a safety consideration for pedestrians — for example, those walking with pets and children walking to and from bus stops and neighborhood schools.
Please keep in mind two additional and important considerations:
- When shoveling driveways and sidewalks, place snow on lawns, not in the street.
- When it snows, please remove vehicles from residential streets to allow safe passage and operation of snow removal equipment.
If you have concerns or a complaint about snow or ice removal in unincorporated areas of Douglas County, please fill out this form and a member of staff will be in contact with you.
For information on snow and ice removal responsibilities on state highways within Douglas County, visit the Colorado Department of Transportation website. For snow and ice removal practices by the incorporated cities and towns in the County, please click the appropriate link for Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Lone Tree or Parker.
In Highlands Ranch, Douglas County is responsible for plowing roads and neighborhoods, while the Highlands Ranch Metro District is responsible for trails, community parking lots and more. Top of Form