By Shannon Lukens.
Winter parking restrictions go into place Friday, Nov. 1. That means no parking on city streets in Steamboat Springs overnight, through April 30. You could get a ticket. The restrictions are in place so the snowplow drivers can do their jobs.
There is also no overnight parking/camping on city streets, and at public facilities and parking lots like Howelsen Hill ski area, rodeo grounds and ice arena, Stockbridge, or Emerald Park, for example.
Parking complaints can be reported to police dispatch at 970-879-1144.
The communities of Oak Creek and Hayden also have winter parking restrictions. No parking in Hayden on city streets, alleys or highways from midnight to 7 a.m. No parking in Oak Creek overnight on Main Street. Residents there need to move their cars parked on side streets within 24 hours of a snowfall.
Press Release from City of Steamboat Springs; Oct. 24, 2024.
November Signals Start of Winter Parking Requirements
No Overnight Parking On City Right-of-Way Between November 1 to April 30
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-October 24, 2024-In a town that measures its snow in feet, not inches, November signals the start of seasonal parking requirements so crews can maintain streets, parking lots and alleyways during the winter.
We’re asking for everyone’s help in making that a bit easier by adhering to the city’s winter parking requirements which go into effect Friday, November 1,” commented Streets Superintendent David Van Winkle. “Keeping our streets clear and open for travel is our top priority.”
Parking is compounded by snow, which accumulates fast in a mountain town like Steamboat Springs. To expedite snow removal efforts, winter parking is prohibited on city streets and shoulders.
Winter parking restrictions run from November 1 through April 30. Vehicles may be ticketed if left on city right-of-way within the restricted hours and/or towed during snowplow operations. Should you receive a parking citation, tickets can be paid online.
| Location | Restricted Hours/No Overnight | No Parking Within |
| Lincoln Avenue
Stockbridge Transit Center (1 vehicle per space) Ski Time Square Anglers Dr area and south to city limits 9th & Yampa Parking Lot (8-hour limit) 8th & Yampa Parking Lot (8-hour limit) 7th & Yampa Parking Lot (3-hour limit) 8th & Oak Parking Lot (8-hour limit) All Other Areas |
3-6 a.m.
2:30 – 4 a.m. 3-6 a.m. Midnight – 8 a.m. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. 2-8 a.m. |
· 5’ of a driveway
· 15’ of a fire hydrant · 20’ of crosswalk or intersection · 30’ of traffic control device-including stop signs · bus stops |
There is no overnight parking/camping on city streets, at public facilities and public parking lots like Howelsen Hill Ski Area, Howelsen Rodeo Grounds, Howelsen Ice Arena, Stockbridge, or Emerald Park for example.
“We need everyone to familiarize themselves with parking regulations and laws around town as we head into winter,” said Community Service Supervisor Krista Amatuzio. “It’s important to pay attention to timed parking and no parking signs around town.”
Streets are prioritized according to public safety requirements and traffic volumes, with a focus on access routes for emergency vehicles, transit, and commercial routes, before moving into residential areas. Parking complaints can be reported to Police Dispatch at 970.879.1144.
Extra info:
Snow plowing in Steamboat Springs covers
- 160 lane miles of streets
- Six miles of alleys
- Nearly 50 parking lots
- 106 cul-de-sacs
The City of Steamboat Springs has five motor graders, six sand trucks and two loaders, operated over two shifts by 20 full-time seasonal employees.
ROUTT COUNTY helps plow 160 miles of paved roads and 500 miles of gravel roads. These are centerline road miles which means out and back for a total of 1,320 lane miles of road.
Routt County’s plow fleet consists of:
- 19 Motor graders
- 6 large plow trucks
- 3 small plow trucks
- 3 front end loaders
- 1 loader mounted snow blower
City of Steamboat Springs Snow Maintenance
- During the winter season, Streets crews maintain an aggressive plowing schedule to manage an average of 300 inches of snowfall per year and keep roadways clear for vehicle traffic. Winter maintenance crews work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to clear snow and ice from city streets. In addition, Streets Division personnel are on call 24 hours a day year-round to respond to urgent matters.
- Streets use an average of 2,800 tons of scoria per winter season to improve traction on city streets. The City applies scoria material to collector streets and on bus/emergency vehicle routes and roads that have steep grades and is also applied at major intersections where stopping and turning are difficult.
- Please keep a few points in mind to help us out during the busy winter season:
- Be patient. Streets maintenance is prioritized according to public safety requirements and traffic volumes with a focus on access routes for emergency vehicles, bus and commercial routes, and then residential areas. Snow operations are labor intensive and equipment does fail on occasion.
- Observe “No Parking 2:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.” signs. During the late night and early morning hours, crews plow and haul snow away from commuter and side streets.
- Be a good neighbor. It is unlawful to push or plow your snow into or across the roadway. Homeowners and residents are responsible for maintaining their own driveways and parking areas. Your snow must be disposed of on your own property. Disposing of snow in roadways will only affect your neighbor. This code will be enforced and fines may apply.
- Snowplow Safety. Snow removal crews work long hours to keep the streets safe and we ask for everyone’s cooperation to help keep them safe as well. Remember, plow trucks cannot stop or turn as readily as most vehicles. Please allow ample space for our snowplows to maneuver freely.
Residential Neighborhoods
Plowing Strategy. As a general rule, snow on residential neighborhood streets is plowed half to one side, half to the other side of each street. This is done by circling city blocks, starting in the center of the street with a motor grader equipped with a snow plow wing attachment. We work our way to the sides of the street where we leave the snow in the city right-of-way, which we call the “snow storage area.”
Snow Storage
The City’s snow storage area is located on private property in the first five feet from the outside edge of the asphalt or curb and gutter. This space is otherwise known as the “public right-of-way.”
Driveways & Windows
When plowing is required, snow piles called “windrows” are created across driveways. Removal of this snow in driveways is the responsibility of the property owner. Crews make every attempt to keep this issue to a minimum and we ask citizens to be patient and recognize that during the winter months there will be some inconvenience. If snow from residential sidewalks, driveways or mailbox areas is put in the street it will be plowed back to the side of the road to remove the safety hazard from the street which can inadvertently result in a windrow across your or your neighbor’s driveway.
Sidewalks, Mailboxes & Alleyways
All snow from private property or adjacent sidewalks must be stored on private property and not in the City’s snow storage area located in the public right-of-way. Please note that the city is not responsible for snow removal on or around sidewalks, driveways or mailboxes. Within the City of Steamboat Springs, adjacent property owners/tenants are responsible for proper same-day removal of snow from sidewalks, without depositing the snow into the city streets.
We also plow to the end of each core alley. Please do not place snow from private property into the snow piles at the end of the alleyways as this creates a safety hazard. Moving snow from private property to the City’s snow storage area in the public right-of-way is in violation of Municipal Codes Sec. 20-5 and Sec. 15-6, Paragraph 7 (PDF).
Privately Contracted Snow Plowing Services. Property owners and privately contracted plow services should be aware that the placing, dumping or pushing of snow onto city streets or right-of-ways from adjacent properties is prohibited. Steamboat Municipal Codes: Sec. 20-5 and Sec. 15-6, Paragraph 7