Denver prepares for first big snow of the season; most residential streets won’t be plowed

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver is bracing for the first significant snow of the season, and city officials warn the worst impacts could hit right during Wednesday’s morning commute.

The Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says most residential streets — including many in the city’s core neighborhoods — will not be plowed overnight. Instead, crews will focus on main roads and known trouble spots as snow moves in late Tuesday into early Wednesday.

“This is definitely… that feeling of here we go, winter has begun,” said DOTI spokesperson Nancy Kuhn.

Kuhn says pavement temperatures ahead of the storm aren’t freezing yet, meaning light-to-moderate accumulations can be managed without deploying residential plows.

“Since the pavement temperatures are not freezing yet, we don’t think that we’re going to need to deploy those residential plows,” she said.

Drivers should expect snow-packed and icy conditions in neighborhoods through the morning rush, she added.

“People may have forgotten … what it’s like to drive on snowy, wet roads, and so definitely we ask people to slow down,” Kuhn said.

DOTI says plow drivers will begin reporting at 10 p.m., with full staffing by midnight.

“Our drivers will start coming in tonight at 10, everyone will be in by midnight, so we will be ready to go when the storm hits,” Kuhn said.

Denver metro commuters preparing for delays

Some residents tell FOX31 they’re already planning for a difficult commute.

“Tomorrow I am blessed that I don’t work until 3:00, so I am praying that some savior will shovel all the … all the snow away from my car,” said Capitol Hill resident Morgan Najm.

Westminster resident Celia Bell said she doesn’t expect to arrive on time.

“Yeah, I’m not … I am going to come in late. Because what is the point?” she said.

Bell urged drivers to take it slow.

“Avoid it if you can, trust your brakes… don’t take them for granted,” she said. “I’ve been inches and seconds away from like a semi… and been like skidding into the intersection.”

Najm says leaving early can make all the difference.

“Just leave an hour earlier… even a half hour earlier… whatever you are comfortable with,” she said. “It gives you more time so you can casually get to your destination instead of being reckless on the road and risking it for others who are petrified!”

Reminder: shovel your sidewalks or risk a fine

Denver also requires residents and businesses to clear their sidewalks after the snow stops falling — or face potential fines.

“Businesses should start clearing as soon as they can; residents have 24 hours,” Kuhn said.

When reminded of the rule, Najm joked she wasn’t fully prepared.

“We are reminding people they need to get their shovels out,” FOX31’s Hanna Powers told her.

“Is that me? Like, do I have to do that?” Najm laughed. “I should go buy a shovel right now.”

Some of the heaviest snow is expected before sunrise, creating potentially hazardous conditions on unplowed residential streets. FOX31’s Pinpoint Weather Beast will be out throughout the morning commute, providing live updates on road conditions across the metro area.