A strong roadway maintenance program directly improves daily life for El Paso County residents. Well-maintained roads keep drivers safer. When crews fill potholes, repair pavement, clean drainage systems, and keep signs and markings clear, they extend the life of our roads and save taxpayer dollars by avoiding more expensive repairs later. Reliable roads also help emergency services, schools, and local businesses operate smoothly and allow people to travel safely and efficiently throughout the county.
What does the El Paso County Roadway Maintenance Program Provide Residents?
Crack Sealing Maintenance
The El Paso County Department of Public Works’ Highway Division maintains all paved roads within its jurisdiction. Staff review each Service Request, set priorities based on safety, need and funding availability, and schedule the work.
Crack Sealing
Crews seal cracks to prevent potholes by keeping water out from under the pavement. Because temperature and moisture affect how well the material bonds, crews perform this work from October through May when the ground stays cool and dry—around 40 degrees. Warm or wet conditions cause the seal to fail or stick to vehicle tires. If sealant gets on tires, orange-based cleaners or WD-40 help remove it.
Mastic Repairs
For wider cracks, crews use a product called mastic—a blend of sealant and aggregate that performs better on cracks wider than 1.5 inches. Early results show that mastic provides stronger, longer-lasting repairs.
Drainage Maintenance
The El Paso County Department of Public Works’ Highway Division keeps our drainage system functioning by cleaning and repairing county culverts and roadside ditches. Crews clean culverts located under county-maintained roads and clear ditches within the county right-of-way to help prevent flooding, erosion, and road damage.
How Service Requests Are Handled
Every Service Request is reviewed, prioritized, and scheduled based on safety and the risk of damage to public or private property. A foreman inspects the location to understand the problem, determine the type of repair needed, and identify the equipment required. Work is then scheduled according to severity, available staff and equipment, and current weather conditions.
When submitting a request, residents should include contact information and a clear location—such as the nearest cross streets—since listing an entire road may delay the process.
When Are Ditches Cleaned?
Decisions about ditch cleaning and culvert flushing are based on the number of requests received, maintenance costs, the condition of the road, and staff recommendations. Locations are prioritized by urgency and available resources. Because there are many ditches throughout the county, it may take time for a request to reach the top of the maintenance list.
Homeowner Responsibility
Homeowners are responsible for maintaining the culvert under their driveway, including 10 feet on each side, to help ensure proper drainage.
Concrete Maintenance
The El Paso County Department of Public Works’ Engineering Division maintains county-owned concrete infrastructure, including sidewalks, curb and gutter, and other concrete features within the public right-of-way. Contractors repair damaged or deteriorated concrete to improve safety, accessibility, and drainage while helping extend the life of county assets.
How Service Requests Are Handled
Every Service Request is reviewed, prioritized, and scheduled based on safety concerns, severity, priority and available funding. A member of the El Paso County Engineering Team inspects the location to assess the issue and determine the type of repair or replacement. Work is then scheduled based on project priority, severity, available funding and other conditions.
When submitting a request, residents should include contact information and a clear location—such as the nearest cross streets—since listing an entire road or neighborhood may delay the process.
When Is Concrete Repaired or Replaced?
Decisions about concrete maintenance are based on the number of requests received, the severity of damage (such as trip hazards or structural failure), maintenance costs, and staff recommendations. Locations are prioritized by urgency and available resources. Due to the volume of infrastructure throughout the county, it may take time for a request to be addressed.
Homeowner Responsibility
Homeowners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their property, including snow and ice removal and minor upkeep.
Bridge Maintenance
The El Paso County Department of Public Works Maintains County-owned bridge infrastructure, including reinforced concrete and corrugated metal pipes within the public right-of-way. Both internal crews and contractors perform the repairs or replacement of bridge infrastructure to improve safety, accessibility, and drainage while helping extend the life of county assets. All bridges are inspected on a bi-annual basis.
How Service Requests Are Handled
Every Service Request is reviewed, prioritized, and scheduled based on safety concerns, severity, priority and available funding. A member of the El Paso County Engineering Team inspects the location to assess the issue and determine the type of repair or replacement. Work is then scheduled based on project priority, severity, available funding and other conditions.
When submitting a request, residents should include contact information and a clear location—such as the nearest cross streets—since there may be multiple bridges on a single roadway which may cause a delay the process.
When are bridges Repaired or Replaced?
Decisions about bridge maintenance are based on the number of requests received, the severity and type of damage, maintenance costs, and staff recommendations. Locations are prioritized by urgency and available resources. Due to the volume of infrastructure throughout the county, it may take time for a request to be addressed.
Trash Dumping
Illegal dumping is against the law.
The El Paso County Department of Public Works’ Highway Division responds to reports of trash dumped in the county right-of-way and removes it when requested. Each Service Request is reviewed, prioritized, and scheduled based on safety and need.
When submitting a request, please include the exact location and a description of the type of trash. Our crews make every effort to identify individuals responsible for illegal dumping. When dumpers are found, the information is forwarded to law enforcement for appropriate action.
If you’d like to help keep our community clean, you can learn more about the County’s Adopt-a-Road program.
Animal Removal
The El Paso County Public Works Highway Division removes dead animals from county roads and right-of-way areas. Crews remove animals the size of a cat or larger.
For livestock such as cattle or horses, crews clear the animal from the roadway to keep drivers safe. If we cannot identify the owner, we notify the brand inspector. If we know the owner, they must remove the animal from their property.
Response Times
- Crews treat animals in the roadway as a top priority and remove them as quickly as possible.
- Crews usually remove animals off the roadway within one working day.
- Crews handle reports made Thursday through Sunday, or on holidays, on the next regular workday.
Guardrail Maintenance
Public Works Highway Division maintains and repairs guardrails throughout the county. Crews fix guardrails damaged in crashes and replace missing parts such as blocks, bolts, reflectors, posts, and end treatments.
Staff review every Service Request, set priorities based on public safety and the risk of further damage, and schedule the work. When you submit a request, please include the nearest street name or intersection, the direction of travel, and the type of repair requested.
Shoulder Maintenance
A road shoulder is the area next to the driving lane, usually made of pavement, gravel, or both. Shoulders vary in width, but they mainly provide space for emergency stops—not regular traffic.
Residents may submit Service Requests for issues like abandoned vehicles, wheel ruts, or other concerns not covered by other request types. Staff review each request, set priorities based on public safety, and schedule the work.
Median/ Right-of-Way Maintenance
A roadway median is the area that separates traffic moving in opposite directions. Medians can be natural, landscaped, or built with features like signs or barriers.
The right-of-way (ROW) is the full width of land dedicated to a roadway. It may include trees, fences, signs, drainage structures, and other features—whether developed or undeveloped.
Residents can submit Service Requests for issues in medians or the ROW, such as damaged fences, barriers, graffiti, or other concerns not covered by other request types. All requests are reviewed and prioritized based on public safety and the risk of further damage to public or private property.
Mowing
The El Paso County Public Works Highway Division mows selected areas along county roads, but not every roadway can be mowed due to limited staff and budget. With current resources, crews can typically mow about ten feet from the road’s edge on each side, though this may be less where the terrain or obstacles make access difficult. Mowing takes place during the growing season, from April through October.
Every request is reviewed, prioritized, and scheduled based on safety, available resources, and the county’s mowing plan. When submitting a request, please include the road name, nearest cross street or location, and what needs to be cut. Requests for areas not on the current mowing list may be completed after scheduled routes are finished, depending on weather and resources. At the end of the mowing season, any remaining requests not completed will be closed.
Pothole Repair
The El Paso County Public Works Highway Division repairs potholes across the county. Staff review every Service Request, set priorities based on safety and the risk of further damage, and schedule the work. Crews aim to respond within a week, but weather, equipment availability, and workload may affect timing.
Why potholes form
Potholes develop when moisture gets under the pavement, when the road base weakens, or during Colorado’s frequent freeze–thaw cycles. As the ground expands and contracts, it cracks the pavement and eventually breaks it apart.
How crews decide what to repair first
When a request arrives, crews evaluate the severity of the pothole. If it creates an immediate safety risk, they repair it quickly—even in less-than-ideal conditions. For minor issues, crews may group requests by area to increase efficiency.
How the weather affects repairs
The weather strongly affects how long a patch lasts.
- Crews can repair potholes during rain or snow for safety reasons, but these temporary fixes often require follow-up.
- Asphalt performs best when the ground temperature stays above 40°F. Cold ground cools the material too quickly and prevents proper compaction.
- Heated truck beds keep asphalt warm but do not warm the ground itself.
- In winter, crews use “cold mix” asphalt for temporary repairs. This mix works in cold weather but can cost more or wear out faster, depending on the type.
Despite these challenges, crews work hard to repair potholes promptly and keep roads safe for drivers.
Road Striping
Road Striping
The El Paso County Public Works Highway Division keeps pavement markings clear and visible to help drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians travel safely. All striping-related Service Requests are reviewed, prioritized, and scheduled based on need and safety.
The road striping crew follows a regular schedule with the goal of repainting pavement markings every two years. Crosswalks, stop bars, and other critical markings are inspected frequently and refreshed as needed to maintain visibility and safety.
Street Light Maintenance
The El Paso County Public Works Highway Division maintains only the street lights located directly above county-maintained traffic signals. All other street lights are maintained by the local power company.
Service Requests are reviewed, prioritized, and scheduled based on public safety. When submitting a request, please include the intersection and the specific corner where the light is located.
Street Signs
The El Paso County Public Works Highway Division maintains most traffic and street signs within the county right-of-way. Staff review every Service Request, set priorities, and schedule repairs. Crews treat Stop, Yield, and weight limit signs as urgent and usually fix them within 24 hours. They repair all other signs as their schedule allows.
The County maintains more than 50,000 signs, upgrades sign visibility with retroreflective materials, and manages the annual traffic striping program. When you submit a request, please include the location, the type of sign, and whether it is leaning, down, damaged, or missing.
Street Sweeping
The El Paso County Public Works Highway Division provides street sweeping on county-maintained roads. Staff review every Service Request, set priorities, and schedule the work, and crews also follow a regular maintenance plan.
The County operates two sweepers that pick up debris and load it into a hopper, along with two “construction brooms” that push material to the side for later collection. With more than 1,000 miles of paved roads, crews work continuously to keep roadways clean, and the sweeping equipment requires frequent maintenance because it handles heavy debris and constant dust.
Environmental and stormwater regulations allow disposal at only one approved site. To meet these rules, dump trucks travel with the sweepers and haul the collected material to the designated location.
Tree Brush Removal and Washout Maintenance
Tree & Brush Removal
The Highway Division trims or removes trees and vegetation that block visibility or interfere with road maintenance. Staff inspect each request, set priorities based on safety, and schedule the work. Please provide a clear location, the type of trimming needed, and your contact information.
After storms, crews clear fallen trees from the roadway to restore access. Property owners must remove any remaining debris from their own land.
Road Washout Repairs
The El Paso County Public Works Highway Division repairs road washouts caused by severe weather. Staff review every Service Request, set priorities based on safety and severity, and schedule repairs as resources allow.
A foreman or operator visits each site to evaluate the damage and identify the equipment needed. Crews then complete the repairs based on urgency and availability. When you submit a request, please include the nearest address or intersection so crews can find the location quickly.