Snow and ice are difficult to walk across. In fact, some people who aren’t very steady on their feet, such as the elderly, might have more of a risk of falling on these surfaces. Even though it might not seem like a big deal to fall on snow, you can actually suffer from serious injuries when this happens.
Colorado has specific laws that govern the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks. These laws are meant to protect pedestrians and ensure that the right-of-way in impacted areas isn’t impeded by snow removal efforts. Here are some points know about this issue:
First, snow must be removed from sidewalks and driveways within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm. The snow that is removed from these areas must be placed on the person’s own property. It is illegal to push removed snow into the street. People who have property near a crosswalk, entrance way, intersection or exit must ensure that those areas are also free of snow.
Second, people who don’t comply can be charged with a misdemeanor crime. They can also be held liable in civil court if there is an accident that occurs because of a hazard they created with the snow. This could be due to a sight obstruction that causes a car to hit a pedestrian, uneven pavement that causes a pedestrian to trip or slippery areas that lead to a fall or similar circumstances.
Pedestrians who slip on the property of another person might choose to file their civil claim in an effort to recover the monetary damages they face because of the accident.
Source: Colorado Department of Transportation, “Snow Removal,” accessed Jan. 5, 2018