City service
Read Aspen's winter plan
Review plowing, snow hauling, property damage, safety, towing contacts, and the city Streets phone number.
Open Aspen winter servicesAspen, CO winter guide
Aspen snow plow and parking guide.
Aspen's street crews work around the clock in winter and make repeated plowing, sanding, hauling, and ice removal passes. Signed commercial and side street areas prohibit parking from 3 to 7 a.m. so crews can work, while residents and businesses must clear adjoining walks and driveways.
Reviewed September 2, 2026City of Aspen Streets Department
AVERAGE SNOWFALL150+ inches
DOWNTOWN CLEARING3 to 7 a.m.
SIDEWALK DEADLINEWithin 3 hours
Start with the official answer
Three useful ways to check Aspen
These links go directly to the city tools residents need during a storm.
Move the car
Check overnight snow zones
Confirm signed 3 to 7 a.m. restrictions and the 72 hour rule that applies in residential permit areas.
Read Aspen snow maintenance rulesDowntown visit
Find legal overnight parking
Review current downtown hours and parking options before leaving a vehicle near the commercial core.
Open Aspen downtown parkingHow the response unfolds
What happens before your street is finished
Aspen follows a local sequence. Knowing the phase explains why one road can be clear while another is still waiting.
- 1Active storm
Plow and sand city streets
Crews make repeated passes as accumulation and traffic change street conditions.
- 2Overnight work
Clear commercial and side streets
Signed 3 to 7 a.m. windows give equipment room to plow and haul stored snow.
- 3Follow up
Haul snow and remove thick ice
Street work continues after snowfall ends where snow storage, drainage, and ice affect safe access.
Before leaving the car
Aspen parking rules that matter
- Do not park in a signed 3 to 7 a.m. snow removal area during the restricted hours.
- Residential permit holders must still move vehicles at least every 72 hours and follow all snow removal signs.
- Illegally parked vehicles can be ticketed and towed, with towing and storage costs charged to the owner.
- A permit does not cancel fire zone, snow zone, or overnight parking restrictions.
Resident checklist
What to do during the storm
- 1
Read the sign where the vehicle is parked and remove it before the overnight clearing window.
- 2
Use current downtown parking information rather than leaving a visitor vehicle in the commercial core overnight.
- 3
Clear adjoining walks and driveways within three hours after snowfall ends or after daybreak.
- 4
Store private snow on the property or in an allowed snow storage area, not in streets or sidewalks.
- 5
Keep hydrants, transformers, and mailboxes accessible.
Service boundaries
Who clears what in Aspen
The city plow department is not responsible for every road, sidewalk, driveway, alley, or parking area.
Aspen Streets Department
Plows, sands, hauls snow, and performs street ice cleanup around the clock during winter operations.
Other public and private operators
State or county roads, resort property, private roads, parking lots, and driveways can have a different maintenance operator.
Property owners and occupants
Clear sidewalks, driveways, and mailboxes promptly and keep removed snow out of public streets and walks.
If the street looks missed
Separate street service from parking help
Aspen crews can make several passes and continue hauling or ice work after the visible snowfall ends. Use the Streets Department for a city road concern and Parking for a ticketed or towed vehicle.
- 1Confirm the location is a City of Aspen street rather than another operator's road or private property.
- 2Check the posted snow removal window and allow active overnight work to finish.
- 3Call the correct department with the exact street, parking area, or tow information.
Local questions answered
Aspen snow plow FAQ
Short answers for the questions residents usually have during an active storm.
Can I leave a car downtown overnight in Aspen?
Not in signed 3 to 7 a.m. snow removal areas. Use Aspen's current downtown parking page to find an option that remains legal through the overnight clearing window.
Does Aspen clear the sidewalk or driveway at my lodging?
The property owner or responsible occupant handles sidewalks, driveways, and mailbox access. Ask the lodging operator who provides that service on private property.
Why did a plow leave snow at the driveway?
Road plows push snow toward the edge and cannot lift the blade at every driveway. Clearing the resulting berm is the property owner's responsibility.
Verify the answer
Official Aspen sources
Storm conditions and emergency rules change. These are the public-agency pages used for this guide.
More official guides