Streets Division

Street Sweeping

Broomfield's in-house street sweeping program is designed to keep the city's streets free and clear of debris and also removes the fine particulate matter that results from snow and ice control operations and is kicked up into the air by traffic, thereby reducing emissions.

Crews sweep all major and minor collector streets after each snow event or a minimum of once each month, all residential streets six times a year, major intersections monthly, and city-owned parking lots as needed.

In 2002, Broomfield made a commitment to the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to reduce local emissions by 48 percent to assist the Denver region in an overall reduction in PM10 emissions. PM10 is a specific size of particulate matter that contributes to air pollution.

To do this, Broomfield changed the anti-icing material used in its snow and ice control operations from a salt and sand mixture to an air quality friendly granular de-icing material that is 98 percent water soluble. Broomfield further committed an annual average application rate of no more than 179 pounds per lane mile, a reduction from 310 pounds per lane mile for salt and sand. This change resulted in a 38-percent reduction in emissions.

To achieve the 48-percent reduction, Broomfield committed further to sweeping 20 percent of snow and ice priority routes within four days of the end of all winter storms using mechanical sweepers for an addition 6 percent reduction. Broomfield also committed to sweeping 10 percent of its snow and ice priority routes with vacuum sweeper for an additional 5 percent reduction.

More than 4,300 lane miles were swept in 2008.

Take an in-depth look at the street cleaning program. Watch an on-demand video previously aired on Channel 8!