Legislators Protest No-Plow Policy in Rural Areas

Back to HomePage
Posted: 4:10 AM Dec 29, 2009 Legislators Protest No-Plow Policy in Rural Areas Legislators are protesting the decision to leave snow on rural highways at night. Reporter: AP

Font Size:

Some legislators are protesting the state's decision to leave snow on nearly 2,800 miles of lightly traveled rural highways at night.

A dozen legislators, mostly Republicans, are asking Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter and the state Department of Transportation to have plows remove snow on those roads.

State Sen. Greg Brophy of Wray says the policy is a basic safety issue and not plowing the outlying highways is an ill-advised cost-saving measure.

But Brophy didn't offer another way to save money. He says transportation officials are better equipped to make those decisions.

Transportation Department spokeswoman Stacey Stegman says it's been general practice to leave rural highways unplowed overnight unless they are a hospital or school route or if more snow would close them.

Latest Comments

Posted by: jared Location: colo sps on Dec 29, 2009 at 05:01 PM

i have to agree.. these roads in the city are not even touched until snow's been down for two days or so.. you think they'd figure this out after all the accidents

Posted by: kay Location: colorado on Dec 29, 2009 at 01:40 PM

Ok, how about actually plowing? Didnt seem these last snow storms they were even out. Lazy. Even powers had TONS of snow on it for days! I never saw them plow. Lets try to actually plow. Just 1 more way that the state is trying to raise taxes, make it SEEM like we cant do this so we can raise taxes or make people suffer until we get our way. CHILDISH!

Posted by: Cheryl Location: El Paso County on Dec 29, 2009 at 12:49 PM

Those of us who live in rural regions of El Paso County have known they don't plow out here. It's been "policy" for years. NOW our out-of-touch politicians care? Give me a break!

Click here to post or read all 3 comments.

Add us to your circle

EAT IT: Almonds - (Stacia Naquin)
Keep your energy up when things get crazy. All you have to do is keep this super food handy at your desk.
Beware of Crooks Using Best Buy's Name (Betty Sexton)
Crooks just sent a message to an 11News smartphone. It claims we've been selected for a $1,000 shopping spree. It's all a bunch of baloney!
Make a quick $250, hardly! (Betty Sexton)
Thanks to Christine for telling me about this scam. She received a check in the mail from a group using the name American Consumer Opinion. It wasn't the legitimate Texas research company... just a crook looking to rip her off!
Treat It Like Thanksgiving - (Stacia Naquin)
You don't have to sit on the sidelines at that Super Bowl party just because you vowed to make 2012 a healthier year. Here's some advice to keep yourself on track, after indulging during the season's biggest game!
"Be Prepared" is Good Motto for Storm Coverage
Over in the KKTV 11 Weather Center, the radar's showing the snow moving in. Chief Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe says this storm has the potential to bring the most snow we've seen in 5 and 1/2 years, so it is "all hands on deck" and "batten down the hatches", as the newsroom makes its own preparations for this Groundhog Day Storm.

	KKTV and our Partners are proud to make Moms life easier…click here for more information
	Click here for more information from our local health care specialists.
	Do you have a story idea? Want to report breaking news? Call our newsroom at (719) 578-0000 or e-mail News@kktv.com.
	Click Here to have KKTV come to your school!
	Watch full episodes of your favorite CBS shows right here on KKTV.com.