Yes, it really did snow this past weekend.
Though the spring snow storm didn't leave any of the white stuff behind, it did leave some without power and loads of snapped tree branches.
According to Michelle Aguayo, an Xcel Energy spokesperson, about 210,000 customers experienced an extended outage across metro Denver, Boulder and parts of the foothills. As of Monday, power was restored to all customers.
Whole trees or just their limbs blocked streets or sidewalks at about 145 locations across the city, said Denver Parks and Recreation Spokesperson Cyndi Karvaski.
"Tree failures occur most often in central Denver and east of the I-25 corridor where most of the older trees are located," Karvaski said.
In the city, property owners are responsible for downed trees, limbs and debris on their property and within the adjacent public right-of-way, so streets and sidewalks. If an emergency removal is needed to clear a street or sidewalk, residents can call 311 to report the incident. Inspectors will assess the situation and the cost of the cleanup will be billed to the property owner.
Karvaski said the city contracts with licensed tree services during a storm. It's an hourly fee that includes travel and dump time and typically costs "from $400 an hour during the week to $600 on weekends and holidays."
"The cost is usually prorated by the contractor if it takes less time to remove," Karvaski said. "For non-emergencies, residents can hire a licensed tree service contractor to perform the work."
According to 311 data, the city received about 130 "complaints" regarding downed trees and hanging branches between Saturday and Monday afternoon. Some residents also asked what they should do with the branches in those calls.
Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure will collect "a limited number of branches as part of its regular extra trash collection."
Here are some additional rules:
-Branches must be no larger than four inches in diameter, and they must be cut into lengths of four feet or less, bundled and tied, and weigh no more than 50 pounds
-Customers may set out up to 10 bundles of branches on their large item pickup day
-Denver residents can also drop off branches at the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off center located near East Cherry Creek Drive South and South Quebec Street.
City officials said residents should continue to report any large debris to 311 or PocketGov.
And no worries, we'll be back to summer weather in no time. Temperatures in Denver will be in the 70s on Wednesday and 80s on Thursday.
