City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Boulder wants your broken limbs
Oct 27th
Storm cleanup: City of Boulder and Western Disposal partner to provide an additional branch pick-up service
With the significant tree limb damage caused by the recent winter storm, the City of Boulder and Western Disposal are partnering to help community members dispose of downed tree branches.
Starting Monday, Oct. 31, Western Disposal will provide one extra pickup of branches that are left out for curbside compost collection.
- Branches left at the curb must be no longer than six feet and no bigger than six inches in diameter.
- Place branches and tree limbs at the curb before your regular compost collection day.
- They will be picked up once within the next two weeks (Oct. 31 to Nov. 11).
- Western will NOT be picking up branches from alleys. They must be placed curbside.
- Please keep bike lanes free of debris when placing your branches at the curb.
This service is being provided in response to the extreme conditions caused by the recent storm. Following this special pickup, residents can continue to place tree branches and leaves out on their regularly scheduled compost pickup days throughout the year. After this additional branch collection, residents must bundle their branches as normally required.
Drop-off site:
Community members may continue to bring leaves or branches to the Yard Waste Drop-off Center located at Western Disposal, 5880 Butte Mill Road. The drop-off center’s hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The drop-off center is free for city residents; there is a small charge for commercial yard wastes. For more information on the Yard Waste Drop-off site, visit www.westerndisposal.com.
Ongoing curbside compost options:
City residents may continue to compost tree branches, leaves and other yard waste throughout the year by:
- Using trash hauler-provided compost carts for as much yard waste as will fit;
- Bundling branches, using twine or other natural rope, and placing up to three bundles, each one no larger than six feet long by three feet in diameter, beside their compost carts on collection days; and
- Placing leaves or branches in fully compostable paper or starch-based bags beside compost carts on collection days.
Additionally, customers may request larger compost carts on an annual or seasonal basis; or request an additional individual pickup for an extra fee. Contact your trash hauler for more information on the curbside compost collection services available.
Boulder (NE)– Get ready for funky tap water
Oct 26th
Residents may notice slight changes in water due to source change
City of Boulder water customers in Gunbarrel, Heatherwood, Hoover Hills, and areas north of Arapahoe Avenue and east of Foothills Parkway may notice a slight change in water taste on Thursday, Oct. 27, when the Utilities Division switches water sources at the Boulder Reservoir Water Treatment Plant from the Boulder Feeder Canal to the Boulder Reservoir. Service changes are a normal part of water treatment and distribution operations. No service interruptions are expected while the water source change occurs.
The potential changes are due to differences in source water chemistry between the canal and reservoir water sources. Most of the water in the canal comes from Carter Lake and is typically less mineralized (softer) than the water from Boulder Reservoir.
As part of the standard treatment process, the water is sampled and tested frequently. These ongoing evaluations are performed by water quality staff to ensure that the highest-quality drinking water is delivered to all Boulder residents.
Ma Nature to dump on Front Range
Oct 24th
Snowstorm forecast for mid-week; city prepares, reminds residents to clear snow from sidewalks
Colorado weather can be unpredictable. Recent warm temperatures are forecasted to change drastically and potentially drop several inches of snow on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The City of Boulder is doing everything it can to prepare for whatever winter might have in store.
Snow removal procedures on city streets
The city’s Public Works Department has snow crews on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week to respond to changing weather conditions. During snowstorms, there are 16 plow trucks on Boulder streets. Six of them distribute a liquid deicer, four spreader trucks distribute traction materials, and seven can distribute either. Fifteen trucks drive predetermined routes while one “floater” responds to problem areas.
Plows push the snow to the center lane where space is available. If space is not available, the snow is pushed to the side of the street. A liquid deicer is used on both streets and bike paths.
The city also applies deicing agents to streets and bridges for ice and snow control. Streets may be pretreated before a storm to reduce the build-up of snow and ice, depending on weather conditions. The liquid deicer may also be applied throughout a storm to continue melting the snow pack. Spreader trucks put down a crystallized deicer and lightweight, porous rock for traction, where needed.
Snow removal on city streets depends on the amount of snow and length of the storm, time of day, temperature and traffic conditions. Because most snow melts within a day or two in Boulder’s sunny climate and because plowing costs would increase by 200 percent, the City of Boulder does not plow residential streets. Plowing residential streets also blocks driveways and parked cars.
Sidewalk snow removal information
The Boulder Police Department recently took over the enforcement of a number of city code violations from the Public Works Department, including enforcement of the sidewalk snow removal ordinance.
The Boulder Revised Code (8-2-13) states that owners, tenants and landlords must clear their sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall. Residents will be responsible for checking with the National Weather Service for specific snow fall completion information. Failure to remove snow before the deadline may result in a summons and/or an abatement process.
Each property will receive only one warning per snow season before the abatement process begins. A warning does not have to be issued in order for a code enforcement officer to issue a summons. Abatement includes the use of a private snow removal contractor to clear the sidewalk; the property owner will be charged a $50 administrative fee along with the contractor’s fee for removing the snow.
If a summons is issued, the maximum fine is $1,000 and 90 days in jail as determined by a municipal judge. The fine for a first-time offense is $100.
For people who are physically unable to clear snow from their sidewalks, the ICEBUSTERS program may be able to pair them with someone who can do the work for them. Volunteers are needed for this program. To volunteer or learn more, please contact the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at 303-443-1933 or email richardvarnes@rsvp.org.
