Snow, Ice, and Slip-and-Fall Claims: What Englewood Businesses and Landlords Need to Know

February and March are often Denver’s snowiest months, and wet spring snow followed by a freeze can turn sidewalks and parking lots into ice rinks. For businesses, landlords, and HOAs, slip-and-fall injuries are among the most common liability claims, and they can be costly.

Know Your City’s Snow Removal Rules

The City of Englewood requires snow and ice to be removed from all sidewalks within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Neighboring cities set their own deadlines. Denver, for example, gives businesses much less time than homeowners. If you own or manage property in more than one city, check each one’s rules.

A city ordinance violation can bring a fine, and a cleanup bill if the city clears the walk for you. More importantly, failing to clear snow can be used as evidence in an injury claim.

Colorado Premises Liability

Colorado’s Premises Liability Act sets the duties property owners and businesses owe to people on their property. Customers and other invitees are owed the highest duty of care: you can be liable for dangers you knew about or should have known about and failed to address. That’s why documenting your snow and ice program matters.

Practical Steps

• Write a snow and ice plan that covers who clears what, and when.
• Keep a log of plowing, shoveling, and de-icing with dates and times.
• Watch for refreeze. Snowmelt from roofs and piles often freezes overnight on walkways and in parking lots.
• Use mats and wet floor signs at entrances.
• Fix gutters and downspouts that drain across walkways.
• Report and photograph any fall right away, and collect witness information.

Snow Removal Contractors

If you hire a snow removal company, use a written contract that spells out triggers and response times, require the contractor to carry its own general liability and commercial auto coverage, and ask to be named as an additional insured. Collect a certificate of insurance before the season starts.

Insurance That Responds

• General liability or a business owners policy covers injuries to customers and visitors on your premises.
• Landlord policies include premises liability for rental properties.
• HOA policies cover common areas such as sidewalks and parking lots.
• Workers’ compensation covers your own employees injured while clearing snow or slipping at work.
• Commercial umbrella coverage adds limits above your primary policies.

Learn more about business insurance, or ask us to review your liability limits before the next storm.

Sources

• City of Englewood, snow and ice removal
• Colorado General Assembly

Have questions about your coverage? Call Johnson Insurance Agency at 303-768-8130 or stop by our office at 14 Inverness Dr. E, Suite G236, in Englewood. We compare coverage from multiple carriers for families and businesses across the Denver metro area and Colorado.