Colorado pushes for more snowplow drivers amid shortage
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Colorado is looking for more drivers to plow roads across the state as winter weather descends.
The Steamboat Pilot and Today reports the state Department of Transportation has more than 100 open positions for snowplow drivers and highway maintenance employees.
The department says it has increased the pay for temporary employees from $19 to $22 per hour, and it has loosened its state residency requirements for plow operators.
The department is also allowing retired department maintenance employees to make $25 per hour or more to return to snowplowing.
Department human resources director Susan Rafferty says there is a shortage of people with commercial driver’s licenses across the country, affecting the number of people Colorado has maintaining its roads.
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