Snow Loads
Jackson County does not have a local amendment to the Uniform Building Code regarding designs for snow loading; however, it is suggested that snow loads be given careful consideration when building in Jackson County. The Structural Engineers Association of Colorado has researched snow loading in Colorado and prepared a report which serves as a general guide only. The following basic snow design loads for various localities in Jackson County were calculated using this report as a guideline:
Examples of Recommended Basic Snow Design Loads for Various Localities in Jackson County, Colorado
- Use only within immediate vicinity of given town or locality, particularly if ground elevation changes noticeably.
- Modify these basic loads for wind, shape of roof, drifting, ice loads, etc.
- Loads are in pounds per square feet.
| LOCALITY | LOAD |
|---|---|
| Big Creek Lake | 120 at an elevation of 9000’ MSL |
| Coalmont | 50 |
| Cowdrey | 43 |
| Custer Mountain Area | 57 at an elevation of 8460’ MSL |
| 62 at an elevation of 8900’ MSL | |
| Ginger Quill Ranch | 42 |
| Gould | 62 |
| Grizzley Creek Camp Subdivision | 52 north end of subdivision |
| 58 south end of subdivision | |
| Intersection of Hwy 40 & Hwy 14 | 111 |
| King Canyon at Railroad Crossing | 52 |
| Pearl (within town site) | 52-53 |
| 2 miles SW of Pearl on JCR 6a toward Big Creek Lake | 54 at an elevation of 8500’ MSL |
| 4 miles SW of Pearl on JCR 6a toward Big Creek Lake | 56 at an elevation of 8600’ MSL |
| Meadow Creek Reservoir | 56 at an elevation of 8600’ MSL |
| Rand | 56 |
| Seven Utes Lodge | 104 |
| Wade – Tamlin Subdivision | 60-63 |
| Walden | 52 |
| Whispering Pines Subdivision | 62-63 |
The basic design load is for essentially flat roofs which are not exposed to wind and have no parapets or nearby obstructions causing drifting. For all other shapes of roofs and obstructions, the basic snow load should be modified. Some require increases for drifting, some allow decreases for sliding or blowing off, nearly all (including flat) should be checked for unbalanced application of load, since snow depths are rarely uniform. Perhaps the most important factor is wind. If the roof is exposed to wind freely on all sides, the basic load may be reduced by 25%.