Flood debris pick-up in CDOT right-of-way continues through Jan. 9

The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Phillips and Jordan, Inc. continue to collect flood debris from flood-impacted state highways. Residents who live on the flooded highways are urged to bring their flood-related debris to just off the pavement next to the highway, where it will be picked up over the next couple of weeks. Residents are urged to have flood-generated debris ready for pick up prior to the date of pickup.

Debris crews will be working Friday, Jan. 3 through the weekend and through next week on the following highways:

· Friday, January 3: State Highway (SH) 72
· Sunday, January 5: US 36
· Monday, January 6: US 34
· Tuesday, January 7 through Thursday, January 9: SH 52, SH 66, SH 60, SH 119, SH 170

During cleanup, crews will be working in CDOT right-of-way as well as under bridges and near streams. Thanks to favorable weather, the continued clean up will help better prepare the highways for spring runoff.

Guidelines
· Debris piles should be three feet from the side of the highway to allow for any snow removal operations.
· Do not block the roadway, waterways or any culverts with debris.
· Please have all eligible debris to the roadside by Jan. 6.

Debris crews will not access private property or city/county roads to pick up debris, so residents will need to place any flood-related debris right along the edge of the highway to have it removed.

The following is a guideline of the materials that will be removed from CDOT right-of-way:

Flood-damaged debris that will be picked up:
· Vegetation waste: Branches, plants, trees and grass. CDOT requests that vegetative materials be separated from other materials in piles of six feet in length or less for easier pickup.
· Construction & demolition waste: Wood framing from houses, furniture, carpet, clothes, concrete, etc.
· White waste: Appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers & dryers, hot water heaters, dishwashers and microwave ovens
· Electronic waste: Computers, televisions, DVD players, telephones, and microwave ovens
· Household hazardous waste: Paints, cleaners, solvents, propane tanks, petroleum products, etc.
· Car waste: Car parts including batteries

What will not be picked up:
· Regular household garbage. This should be disposed of in your dumpsters and removed by your waste management provider.

Once collected, debris is taken directly to local landfills for final disposal or to CDOT properties to be reduced and eventually used for construction or slope stabilization. Any vehicle materials found in debris piles will be searched for a VIN number, and if a VIN is found, CDOT will keep it on record. Citizens still searching for their vehicles post-flood can contact CDOT to see if their vehicle has been recovered.

For questions about the debris removal process, please visit the CDOT flood information website at www.coloradodot.info/travel/floodinfoupdates. Members of the public can also email dot_flood@state.co.us, or speak to someone directly at 720-263-1589. For toll-free call 1-800-999-4997.