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Metro Denver area ‘snow angels’ ready to help those in need

By Deborah Smith November 19, 2024 | updated 9 months ago

With winter on the horizon, many cities in the metro Denver area offer programs to pair eager volunteers with residents who need help clearing snow from sidewalks, ADA ramps, and other areas during the cold winter months.

The Denver Snow Angels Program, an initiative by Denver Human Rights and Community Partnerships, is one such program that fosters neighborly connections but also helps ensure compliance with the city’s requirement to keep walkways in front of homes clear, preventing fines.

The program, which has been around for about five years, recently launched a new online platform that automatically pairs homes in need with volunteers near those areas.

During a Snow Angels activation, city officials explained that volunteers receive an email detailing addresses needing assistance within the neighborhoods they selected during their application process. With a simple click, Snow Angels can notify other registered volunteers when they begin assisting a listed address and when the task is complete.

“I’m so proud of the city’s Automation Center of Excellence program for providing improved services to those in need through the Snow Angel automatization project,” Suma Nallapati, Denver’s chief information officer, said. “To date, this program has automated over 200 processes throughout the city, saving over 56,000 hours of staff work. Their efforts are truly allowing automation to be transactional so our staff can be transformative.”

Those interested in applying for assistance with snow removal should visit www.denvergov.org/snowangels to learn more and submit their applications or email SnowAngels@denvergov.org. 

Douglas County

Douglas County has a similar program, which is organized by a nonprofit that connects local high school students with volunteer snow removal work.

Whether it is a need for snow shoveling, grocery shopping, transportation or companion services – Aging Resources of Douglas County offers some free services to qualified residents over 60 years old.

“Sometimes you just need a little help, and that makes all the difference,” Karie Erickson, director of Aging Resources, said. “It allows people that can’t afford private companies their independence because they’re still able to get the services they need to live.”

Erickson said that any Douglas County resident can apply for the Aging Resources program. She said the program began in 2008, became a nonprofit in 2018, then “skyrocketed from there.”

“Having high schoolers that want to get involved, it’s an intergenerational thing,” she said. “It’s a way they can give back, earn community service hours and provide a senior the needs they have.”

Those receiving Aging Resources services must be members. Membership is free and there is no charge to apply. The snow services, Erickson said, do come at a small extra cost depending on the service.

Other services include free transportation. Erickson said winter is the most popular time for those types of requests and they need volunteer drivers.

To learn more about Aging Resources, call (303) 814-4300 or visit https://www.agingresourcesdougco.org.

Aurora

For Aurora residents, Snow Busters also pairs volunteers with those needing help shoveling sidewalks after snowfall. 

Anthony Bolton, who runs the program, is proud of its growth. This year, he said, about 40 volunteers have signed on to help.

Still, he said, the number of volunteers is about half of what they need to match the number of applicants looking for help.

The program is both volunteer and location-based, meaning Bolton uses a four-mile radius to connect people and ensure volunteers don’t have to travel far to help people out. 

Volunteers are responsible for clearing sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall amounting to two inches or more. Those interested in volunteering can apply through the City of Aurora volunteer portal.

Bolton said Snow Busters has partnered with a local Home Depot at 3475 N. Salida Court to get shovel and snow melt donations and has purchased knit hats, gloves and hand warmers for volunteers. 

Those needing help from the Snow Busters may apply for the program by downloading an assistance application and sending it to neighborhood@auroragov.org.  

To be eligible for assistance, applicants must reside in Aurora, have limited financial resources, and be unable to shovel due to age, disability or other conditions.

Jefferson County

In Arvada, the city welcomes applicants and volunteers to its Snow Buddies program, a service for city residents who need help clearing snow. 

Snow Buddies volunteers are asked to assist with snow removal tasks, which include shoveling the front sidewalk, walkways leading to the front door, and clearing enough of the driveway to allow a single vehicle to enter and exit, according to the city. This may involve shoveling half of a two-car driveway or the entirety of a one-car driveway. 

These tasks should be completed within 24 hours after a snowstorm has ended, provided the snowfall accumulation is two inches or more. Volunteers are encouraged to support their assigned Snow Buddies consistently throughout the winter season.

Program organizers note they will do their best to match people. However, if a match cannot be found, residents are still responsible for proper snow removal.

For more information, visit www.arvadaco.gov/486/Snow-Buddies-Program 

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Deborah Smith

Reporter

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