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Denver To Plow Side Streets After 6 Inches Of Forecasted Snow

By Andrea Flores

DENVER (CBS4)- The changes to the residential plow program for Denver's side streets are a welcome sight for thousands of people living in the Mile High City.

This year, the City of Denver will consider deploying small plows when six or more inches of snow are forecast.

"We're going to consider deploying our residential plows when 6 inches of snow, or more, are forecasted," said Denver Public Works spokeswoman Heather Burke.

The previous policy had residential plows deploying when a foot or more of snow was forecast.

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Residents around Capitol Hill couldn't be happier.

"That sounds great to me," said Marina Valenzuela. "Anything that helps me get out the door in the morning is wonderful."

"Moving forward we want to make it more helpful for residents in the future. So we want to make it more of a program that will be helpful for residents during snowstorms rather than an emergency response," said Burke.

The smaller plows will clear every side street as least once. While those plows are smaller and not able to clear the roads to the pavement like the larger plows, the crews will make sure every street is passable.

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"I don't like it, but I deal with it," said Eddie Kirsch.

With the new policy, the city expects to deploy the residential plows in what they claim to be "a timelier fashion" in order to stay ahead of deep snow accumulations.

"We've called out the residential plows in the past when faced with very large snowstorms," said Jose Cornejo, Executive Director of Denver Public Works, in a statement. "This year, we are transitioning the program into one that will be helpful to residents on more occasions throughout the winter season."

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It will cost an average about $25,000 every time the smaller plows are deployed. The City of Denver said they have the budget to cover the cost.

"We don't think the budget is going to take a big hit, with the program, the way that we changed it, because we are making better use of that equipment," Burke said.

Despite the price tag, residents say they're glad the city is working to stay ahead of the storm.

"I love it," said Kirsch. "Let's do it at two inches."

There are about 60 smaller plows ready to deploy once six inches of snow is forecast.

On Thursday, large and small plows will be ready to clear off main roads and small streets around Denver after the snow falls.

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Denver's Residential Plow Program was initially developed as an emergency response program following the blizzards of 2006.

The plow program divides the city into 21 sectors, covering a total of 1,287 miles with each sector encompassing 60 miles. Three plows cover two sectors or about 122 miles with each plow covering about 40 miles.

The city will continue to utilize Denver Public Works and Denver Parks and Recreation employees to operate the smaller, residential plows.

The City of Boulder also has a new program this year where the city will deploy 17 plows to tackle some secondary roads.

Drivers can view a map of the Residential Street Plowing Program.

Streets marked in purple are added to the primary and secondary routes when snow fall is greater than eight inches.

The City of Aurora only plows neighborhood streets after the main arteries are cleared. Westminster starts plowing after two inches of snow accumulates.

Andrea Flores is a reporter for CBS4. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @AndreaFloresTV.

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