CDOT Releases Preliminary Costs for Blizzard and Recent Storms

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has spent $7.1 million on snow removal during the numerous storms and blizzard that hit Colorado’s Eastern Plains and Front Range. This is a very preliminary cost for material, equipment, and staffing during the three-week period, from December 18 through January 8.

“We still don’t have all of overtime, contractor billings and other items such as equipment repairs totaled,” said CDOT Chief Engineer Pam Hutton. “We expect this number will likely change as we continue to gather this information and reconcile costs. We are relieved that the Transportation Commission has a contingency fund to cover these types of emergencies but until we reach the end of the winter season and look at statewide snow removal costs, we don’t know what the full impacts will be to our budget.”

In the Denver metropolitan area, CDOT has spent $3.7 million on snow removal to date. During this same time period last year, CDOT only spent $1.5 million.

It is estimated that more than 600 pieces of snow removal equipment were used in eastern Colorado and up and down the Front Range during these periods of inclement weather. Of that, at least 100 pieces of equipment required repairs due to wear and tear suffered from running nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CDOT has received numerous positive emails and calls regarding our snow removal efforts and the condition of Colorado state highways over the past several weeks.

Hutton added, “We want to thank Coloradans for taking time to share such nice feedback as we know it means so much to our crews who have been working tirelessly as is evidenced on our clear highways.”