Kiss $500 Goodbye If You Violate One Colorado Snow Law

The state of Colorado enforces several unique laws related to snow and the removal of snow each winter. Depending on where you live, some Colorado municipalities can charge you an arm and a leg for not removing snow, especially if you operate a business.

Read More: Are Snowball Fights Illegal In Colorado? What You Need To Know

Keep reading to take a look at several notable examples of laws pertaining to snow in Colorado, including the municipalities that impose the biggest fines.

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Snow Removal on Colorado Property

One of Colorado’s unique laws related to snow removal is the statewide mandate that property owners, renters, and private snow-removal operators, never deposit snow on or next to any public highway. It's a fine worth up to $100 for each offense in Colorado if you are caught. Check out what CDOT has to say about snow removal laws here.

Within the city of Denver, property owners must clear snow and ice from sidewalks, ramps, and bus stops for safe access. Property owners who don't clear the snow are subject to a fine worth $150 for the first offense, increasing for repeated violations..

Douglas County is an example of one Colorado county that publishes a list of citizen snow responsibilities expected of all residents who live there. You can see that list here. Public Works says Douglas County homeowners can be charged $25 to $100 for not clearing sidewalks after a snowstorm.

Colorado Snowball Fights

Colorado has a strange love affair with snow. We cannot wait for snow to fall on the ski resorts of the Rocky Mountains, but when snow falls just about anywhere else – it is annoying. Ya know what else? For a long time, snowballs were annoying too. Even illegal in some places. Until 2018, snowball fights were banned in the town of Severance, Colorado.

A municipal code in Aspen, Colorado, makes throwing snowballs at vehicles, buildings, or anyone you do not like, against the law (municipal code § 15.04.210). The fine can be $25 to $100 depending on circumstances. A similar code is observed in Boulder, Colorado as well (municipal code § 5-6-9 a). In Boulder, the fine is $50 the first time.

Premises Liability in Colorado

The state of Colorado’s Premises Liability Act lists private property owners, managers, and vendors as those who can be held liable for injuries caused by known dangers such as snow and ice. What's the fine? Just imagine the lawsuit.

Read More: It Snows More in These Colorado Towns Than Almost Anywhere

Commercial Snow Removal in Colorado

Snow removal on commercial property is up to the owners of the property. This means they must oversee the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks, entrances, and walkways within 24 hours of a snow event. This ensures the safest conditions for guests, pedestrians, and their vehicles.

A fine of $500 per offense can be issued to businesses refusing to comply in Colorado within 24 hours of a snowstorm according to SMS Snow Management.