Urban Forest Storm Response#
Limb Drop Off Update
Starting Saturday, May 8, free limb drop off options are no longer available.
Residents can continue to haul limbs to Hageman Earth Cycle but they will need to pay to drop off their limbs.
Hughes stadium drop off site is closed and will be monitored for illegal dumping.
Over the weekend of March 12-14, 2021, Fort Collins received up to 27 inches of snow. Damage occurred to many trees. The Forestry Division has completed its assessment of damage and begun the 6-9 month clean-up. Patience is appreciated as both City and private contract crews are working as quickly as possible.
Private vs public-owned trees, limb drop off and FAQs are outlined below.
Next Steps#
City-Owned Trees:#
- City Streets and Forestry crews, in partnership with licensed contractors, will continue identifying damaged trees, removing immediate hazards, and clearing downed limbs and branches.
- Forestry has prioritized resources based on the present hazards and will work to clean up any trees that are hanging and at risk of falling, blocking the right of way on streets, alleys or sidewalks first. Crews will then move on to branches and limbs that are already on the ground and require removal.
- The Streets Department is currently focusing in the Old Town core, Area 1, of the Urban Forest Storm Response Plan. Within this area, the zone most severely impacted is denoted by the following streets as borders: Riverside Ave (east), Prospect Rd (south), Taft Hill Rd (west) and Vine Dr (north). Clean-up efforts have begun in the western portion of this area and will continue in this zone until hazards and downed limbs are removed.
TreeKeeper, the City’s tree management software, can be used to identify City-owned trees.
Privately-Owned Trees:#
- Community-members are responsible to clear any debris/limbs that have fallen into the public right-of-way from a privately-owned tree. Community members who own trees that have downed or hanging limbs, or are in need of other assistance, should contact a licensed arborist.
- Free public drop off sites were made available for community members to drop off tree limbs. Sites were available from March 27 through May 7.
- To report hazards or trees that are blocking the right of way, that are not City-owned, please email Access Fort Collins or call 970.224.6046. These will be sent to the City’s Code Compliance Department and then routed to Forestry, when needed.
- For the protection and safety of property owners, any contractor hired for tree removal activities must be licensed through the city before beginning work.
Tree Branch Removal Assistance#
Are you a resident in need of assistance with branch removal?
Sign up to receive help from volunteers to remove downed tree branches from your yard. Applications open soon!
Volunteers needed!
The City of Fort Collins seeks willing volunteers who want to help their neighbors with tree branch removal in response to the damage left by the March snowstorm.
Frequently Asked Questions#
- Will the City be doing a tree limb pick up? If so, when?highlight_off
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The Streets Department will be focusing limb pick-up within the street boundaries of Riverside Ave (east), Prospect Rd (south), Taft Hill Rd (west) and Vine Dr (north). This area was identified as the most severely impacted by the snowstorm. These curbside pick-up efforts began Monday, March 22, in the western portion of this area and will continue in this zone until hazards and downed limbs are removed.
- How do I determine which trees are public versus private trees?highlight_off
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Typically, City maintained trees reside between the curb and sidewalk along trees and also exist in City parks, cemeteries, golf courses, City facilities and many detention areas. Please visit the City’s Public Tree inventory to find public trees near you or your concern.
- A tree limb from my neighbor’s tree fell in my yard. Who is responsible?highlight_off
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Please work closely with your neighbor on this matter. If the limb is small enough to cut up, please utilize the two free limb drop-off locations. If the limb is too large to handle, please contact a City of Fort Collins licensed arborist.
- There is a tree limb blocking a public street, sidewalk, alley way. What can be done?highlight_off
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- If the tree limb is from a public tree, please contact the City of Fort Collins Forestry Division by emailing forestry@fcgov.com.
- If the tree resides from a private residence or business, please contact a City of Fort Collins Licensed Arborist.
- There is a tree limb blocking a walkway/parking lot in my apartment complex. What can be done?highlight_off
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- If the tree limb is from a public tree, please contact the City of Fort Collins Forestry Division by emailing forestry@fcgov.com.
- If the tree resides from a private residence or business, please contact your apartment complex’s maintenance staff or landlord and they can contact a City of Fort Collins Licensed Arborist.
- The City plowed snow and it is blocking my driveway, sidewalk, car, etc. What can be done?highlight_off
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It is rare that the City removes snow from residential streets. When a snowstorm prevents residents from moving within the community, the Streets Department will make one path down residential streets.
If a driveway is blocked, please call the Streets Department’s front office at (970) 221-6615 and staff will evaluate requests for removal on a case-by-case basis.
- I'm having an issue with ice buildup on my sidewalk because of drainage. What should I do?highlight_off
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Contact the Streets department at 970-221-6615 to be added to the ice-cutting list.
- When am I required to shovel my sidewalk?highlight_off
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City code states that residents have 24 hours after the end of new accumulation to clear sidewalks of any snow and/or ice – there is no minimum amount
- What if I am out of town when it snows?highlight_off
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Colorado typically sees snow October through May so it is recommended you plan for snow removal if you are out of town accordingly. Get friendly with the neighbors, hire a contractor, ask a friend in town to swing by your property if you know it’s going to snow while you’re away. It is still the property owners responsibility to clear their public sidewalk, regardless if they are in town or not.
- What if I need help removing my sidewalk snow?highlight_off
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It is recommended folks reach out to friends, family members or neighbors for immediate assistance. Nextdoor.com has been proven to be a very useful tool to reach out to willing and able neighbors with snow removal (and other projects).The City also has a program for elderly and disabled citizens called Adopt a Neighbor. Folks can request assistance (or sign up to volunteer) by visiting the website for more info.