By Shannon Lukens.

 

Deep snow is causing problems in Old Town Steamboat Springs. Stop signs are all visible but some have been hard to see. Steamboat Springs Street Superintendent David Van Winkle says he watches for any safety issues. He adds that the street crews have been actively widening the streets, fixing visibility and drainage issues, and filling potholes.

 

Steamboat Springs City Manager Gary Suiter agrees that sight distance is limited everywhere. He says he encourages people to “drive like a local,” meaning to proceed with caution and be courteous.

 

The first picture is courtesy Steamboat Springs Police, when the cars were getting towed. The second picture shows the street after the cars were towed.

Another problem in the downtown neighborhood is parking on city streets overnight. It isn’t allowed during the winter so that snowplows can do their job and keep the streets clear. Steamboat Springs Interim Police Chief Mark Beckett says the city has been focusing on repeat offenders. Two vehicles were towed from Park Ave. on Monday, after the cars were repeatedly illegally parked on the street overnight. School buses were struggling just to get down the street and several near collisions were witnessed as SSPD officers waited for the tow truck.

“We all have to work together to keep our streets clear and safe for travel and we’re asking for your help,” said Interim Chief Beckett. “Code enforcement issues warnings and citations for illegal parking, but unfortunately we’ve reached a point where we’ve had to move to towing.”

 

Here’s more on the Winter Parking Restrictions in the City of Steamboat Springs:

• No parking on city streets overnight from Nov. 1 – April 30. This is so the snowplow drivers can clear the streets.
• Streets crews have 152 street miles, six miles of alleys, 37 parking lots, and 105 cul-de-sacs to plow within the City. 
• City crews also work to dig out the 1,100 fire hydrants across the City, which sometimes causes additional snow to be placed in the adjacent areas. Please do not place snow on the fire hydrants.

• Your vehicle may be ticketed if left on City streets within the restricted hours or towed during snowplow operations within the restricted hours.
• Downtown property owners are responsible for clearing the sidewalks and any pedestrian crossings in front of their property.

 

To expedite snow removal efforts during the season, winter parking is prohibited on city streets and shoulders during the following hours from November 1 through April 30:

 

Location	Restricted Hours – No Overnight
Lincoln Avenue Stockbridge Transit Center Ski Time Square Anglers Drive area and south to city limits: All Other Areas:	3-6 a.m. 2:30-6 a.m. 3-6 a.m. Midnight to 8 a.m. 2-8 3-6 a.m.