With 30 inches of snow in three days, city of Steamboat Springs employees are trying to keep up with snow removal.

The city has started using grader plowing along with its traditional sand truck plowing. According to the city, grader plowing creates a better widening of the roads and better route clearing, but it does move more snow into piles along roads and driveways.

The city clears 152 miles of streets, six miles of alleys, 37 parking lots and 105 cul-de-sacs.

The city’s top priority with snow removal is to keep streets clear of snow for emergency vehicles and traffic flow.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is responsible for snow removal on U.S. Highway 40.

Streets are prioritized according to public safety requirements and traffic volume, with a primary focus on access routes for emergency vehicles, bus and commercial routes, followed by residential areas.

City workers have also started to dig out the city’s 1,100 fire hydrants, which means snow will be placed in adjacent areas.

Residents are reminded not to put snow onto fire hydrants so they remain accessible during emergencies. Residents also should not put snow in the street, because it creates a safety hazard.

Once the snow stops falling, city workers will begin moving snow storage piles throughout the community.

To help with snow removal, parking is not allowed on most city streets between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. There is no parking on Lincoln Avenue and Ski Time Square Drive from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., and there is no parking in the Anglers Drive area and south to city limits from midnight to 8 a.m.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland