Deicing MaterialsEach winter, the Streets Department battles snow and ice on the streets of Fort Collins through plowing and deicing operations. Studies indicate that applying deicing material reduces injury accidents by 88 percent and pays for itself in a half hour in terms of avoided vehicle crashes.
Environmental ImpactsThe City does not use 100% Magnesium Chloride or sand because of the detrimental effects to air quality and the environment. We continuously test new products, as they become available, for the safety of our community while placing an extremely high value on environmental protection and cost considerations. The City has also invested in environmental testing of deicing materials through Colorado State University and CDOT's deicing material environmental impact studies. Deicing Facility
In 2008, the City of Fort Collins received the Excellence in Storage Award from the Salt Institute. The award recognizes high standards of environmental consciousness, best management practices, and effective management of winter material storage. The City of Fort Collins was one of 10 city and state transportation agencies across North America that received the award. Deicing Facility Facts
*Stores two types of material: granualar and liquid *Granular deicer storage capacity: 10,000 tons *Liquid deicer storage capacity: 170,000 tons *Automated inventory material tracking |
The City of Fort Collins Deicing Facility is one of its kind in the country. The state-of-the art facility was constructed and became operational in 2006, just months before the 2006/2007 back to back holiday blizzards.
*150% storage capacity of typical annual use