Westminster's Public Works and Utilities Department is tasked with plowing more than 1,100 lane miles of road to keep residents safe during winter storms. It takes a team of trained and dedicated operators starting as early as 2 a.m. to get a jump on each storm.

After primary and secondary streets are cleared, priority is given to streets adjacent to hospitals, police and fire stations, schools, RTD bus routes, and busy intersections, as well as hills and curves on residential streets. Residential streets only receive service if snow accumulations are greater than eight inches and after the above priorities are addressed.

Regardless of accumulation totals, Street Operations Superintendent Brock Hufford says his staff is always ready to keep our community safe. “We’re there until the job is done and the roads are clear,” Hufford said. “Once we start, we’re in it for the long haul.”

Learn more about Westminster’s snow and ice removal policy at: westminsterco.gov/SnowRemoval.

A Closer Look

The City uses de-icing salt compounds including sodium chloride (NaCl) like your basic table salt, but with much larger crystals. Sand is not used on the roads due to the high cost and substantial environmental impact. 

The City uses four different suppliers for its road salt mix, to ensure there’s always a supply of material even if there are logistical challenges with suppliers. The City stocks more than 6,000 tons of salt mix for the winter storm season.

Snowplow Naming Contest

Submit your punniest name for a snowplow here by December 1, 2024, and follow us on social media to vote for your favorites! The two winning names will be added to our fleet this winter, joining last year's winners, Clearopathra and CTRL+SALT+DELETE.