How Do You Handle Winter Driving and Road Access to a Home in Granby and Grand County?

In July, every road looks easy. In January, the road is the house. Rebecca Smyth, Real Estate Agent, grew up driving these roads in winter, and the first thing worth checking on any mountain home in Granby or elsewhere in the county is how you get to it after a storm.

A beautiful home you cannot reach is not much of a home. Here is how to find out before you buy.

It depends on the road. A road can belong to the county, to a town, to the state or to a group of private owners. Each one handles snow in its own way, and a road that is plowed is not always a road that is clear.

• Who owns and maintains the road? Ask for the answer in writing, not from memory.
• Is there a road association, and what are the dues? Ask what the dues cover and how plowing is paid for.
• How soon after a storm does the plow come? Ask neighbors, not just the seller.
• Where does the plow push the snow? On a corner lot or a steep drive, it can pile up right where you need to get out.

A driveway that works in summer can be a problem in snow. Walk it with these questions in mind.

• How long and how steep is it? A long or steep driveway takes more work and more equipment.
• Is there room to turn around and park? Plan for guests as well as your own vehicles.
• Does the shade hold ice? A shady stretch can stay slick long after the rest has cleared.
• Who clears it today? If the seller has a plow contractor, ask whether that arrangement can continue.

Granby is about 2 hours from Denver over Berthoud Pass. Rocky Mountain National Park's own directions note that US-40 can close or have restrictions in winter because of snow. So check before you leave and again on the way.

COtrip.org, the Colorado Department of Transportation's road conditions site, shows closures and road cameras. Leave extra time, watch the forecast, and be ready to change the plan.

• Good tires. Tires matter more than the badge on the truck.
• A full tank. A closed road can mean a long wait.
• Water, a blanket, a shovel and a phone charger. Keep them in the vehicle.
• A plan someone else knows. Tell a friend where you are going and when you expect to arrive.

If you can, yes. Visit after a snowfall, drive the road at the time you would drive it, and talk to a neighbor. If you cannot visit, ask me what that street is like in January. A summer showing tells you about the house. A winter visit tells you about living there.

The seller lived it, so ask. How many times were they stuck or snowed in last winter? Did the plow come when they needed it? What did plowing cost, and who did it? Do they keep a shovel, a tow strap or chains at the house, and why?

Ask for copies of any plow invoices or road association bills. A good answer is a specific one. A vague answer is a reason to ask a neighbor.

Road ownership, plowing services and highway conditions differ from place to place and change over time. Confirm them for the exact address with the county, the town, the road association and the Colorado Department of Transportation. This post is a general guide and not advice on any one home.

Weighing a home with a long drive or a private road? Book a call with me or text 970-531-1268 and we will go through the access questions together. You can also read about buying a second home in Grand County.