El Paso County, Colorado, March 17, 2026 – The American Public Works Association (APWA) has selected El Paso County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) as a 2026 recipient of the Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award, recognizing the County’s comprehensive and data-driven winter operations program.
The national recognition reflects sustained performance across a 2,130-square-mile service area and 4,400 lane miles of roadway, where crews respond to an average of 24 plowable snow events each year and clear more than one million lane miles annually.
“This award represents the consistent, professional work our snow fighters deliver year after year,” said Jack Ladley, Executive Director of El Paso County Public Works. “Our team combines strong training, proven technology, and disciplined operations to provide reliable service for residents while being responsible stewards of public resources.”
Examples of the high standard the Department consistently delivers for the residents of El Paso County include:
- Advanced technology and transparency: Every plow truck and grader is equipped with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and telematics systems that track route progress and material application in real time. This data supports operational decision-making and powers the County’s public dashboard, allowing residents to view near real-time plow activity during storms.
- Efficient responsible operations: Automated material application controls and pre-treatment strategies have reduced salt usage by approximately 20 percent, improving efficiency and lowering costs.
- Strong workforce preparation: Each fall, the Department conducts “Snow School,” a comprehensive training program for operators, mechanics, and supervisors to ensure equipment readiness and consistent winter response practices.
- Ongoing infrastructure investment: In 2024, DPW completed a $1.5 million stormwater-control upgrade at its largest maintenance facility, improving runoff treatment and strengthening long-term system reliability.
The APWA award will be formally presented at the 2026 North American Snow Conference in April.
“Our responsibility doesn’t end with one season or one award,” Ladley said. “We’re committed to continually improving how we maintain the County’s roads – investing in our people, refining our processes, and using data and technology to deliver dependable service for the community year after year.”
For more information about El Paso County’s Snow and Ice Control Program, visit publicworks.elpasoco.com/snow-removal/