If you’re a resident of Colorado, you can be entirely forgiven for thinking that summer 2020 was a “blink and you’ll miss it” kind of event. Just days after the mercury rose to 101°F,  the first snows  of the season are expected to arrive within the next few days.

This means it’s time to brush up on the rules regarding clearing your property of weather-related hazards. Whether you’re a homeowner, property manager or business owner, you have obligations to minimize the danger that snow and ice can present to others.

Winter slips and falls can be a real threat

In addition to any location-specific ordinances in your town or city,  the Colorado Premises Liability Act  requires everyone who exercises control over a property to maintain that property in a reasonably safe manner. This includes homeowners, business tenants and rental managers. If a customer, social guest or someone else who comes onto the property for a valid reason slips on the snow or ice and gets hurt, you could be financially liable.

Be proactive about eliminating the danger

Obviously, you can’t stop the snow from falling, and you can’t clean it up while it’s still coming down. You also can’t simply ignore it and wait for that white stuff on the ground to melt.

As soon as a snowfall ends, you should get out the shovels and the de-icer and inspect your property. Clear the walks, driveways and parking lot so that your customers, tenants and business partners don’t have to navigate treacherous ground on the way to and from your door.

If you are  injured in a slip-and-fall accident  this year in Littleton or the surrounding area, find out what it takes to successfully pursue a claim for compensation. You shouldn’t have to bear the economic damages from someone else’s mistake.