December 15, 2022 | CSD Team

Even with a good chunk of Colorado digging out from a serious bout of winter weather, special districts affected by the storm have to get back to normal operations as quickly as possible.

After a powerful weather event like this you might be wondering: what kind of coverage does the Pool provide, and what resources are available to us? Below we explain everything that comes standard with your CSD Pool membership, and what else you might consider for peace of mind after future winter storms.

Storm Damage and Your Property Coverage

Our Property program covers members’ scheduled assets from direct physical loss or damage. This includes scheduled structures, contents, equipment, records, and inventory. In most cases, coverage applies to all scheduled property that is affected, requiring only a single deductible. Equipment Breakdown coverage can also apply in cases where physical damage caused electrical issues to assets, or where assets were affected by a lack of electricity.

Coverage is also available in cases of ingress and egress, such as when you cannot return to work, or when a weather or storm event has made it impossible to leave. In both cases, these coverages only apply as a result of losses sustained to scheduled property. Debris removal could also be covered in cases where you need to remove debris of covered property from a premises, caused by or resulting from physical loss or damage.

Beyond these coverages that come standard, members can extend preexisting Business Income/Extra Expense coverage— which currently includes $250,000 in coverage—to receive a higher limit through the completion of our Business Interruption worksheet. This coverage extension is designed to cover loss of net income as well as incurred extra expenses, subject to the coverage terms and conditions. Coverage is dependent on the purchased limit, which is variable depending on your district. This coverage specifically provides the option to rent a building to operate from while the damaged building is repaired or pay for rental vehicles if district-owned ones are totaled. It also provides coverage for lost revenue if operations are shut down as a result of a covered weather event.

To find out if your district has the proper amount of Business Income/Extra Expense coverage, you can complete our worksheet and speak with a representative to discuss next steps. Contact us at info@csdpool.org.

Programs and Services Available

How can you prepare your district for weather events like this? We offer many programs that can help ease your mind with the thought of snow and ice.

SKIDTRUCK and SKIDCAR driver training is a unique program we offer where district employees can practice driving in inclement weather without the risk. Training includes classroom instruction and hands-on, instructor-led driving where skids are simulated by way of a special vehicle attachment.

“Driving” our SKIDTRUCK or SKIDCAR gives employees experience so they’re prepared when an actual adverse weather event happens. Test it out for yourself or schedule a training for your team! Email safety@csdpool.org for more information.

We also offer members complimentary access to SmartNotice, a mass communication platform that can notify staff of critical events within seconds. This system can be integrated with National Weather Service data to provide weather-based reminders about severe weather events, and districts can use the platform to disseminate crisis, emergency, and closure information to district employees and even customers through optional social media connections.

Beyond these two offerings, members can train online through Vector Solutions’ LMS platform. This program provides training courses that can help districts prepare. These include: Planning for an Emergency; Emergency Preparedness and Response; and Fleet Program – Adjusting to Changing Conditions for Emergency Vehicle Operators are available for all LMS users. These courses may be eligible toward the Training Credit Program as well, which provides members with Liability coverage a 5% or 10% discount off their contribution. Get in contact with us at info@csdpool.org to get started.

Purchase Power

Do you have implementation plans for the next winter storm? Don’t forget that you may have Safety Grant funds available to reimburse the costs of safety upgrades by 50%. Some common cold weather safety purchases have included snow plowing, ice melting supplies, snow tires, and much more. See our safety grant site for a big list of eligible purchases.

Slips, trips, and falls – an unfortunate hazard that comes with winter weather conditions – occur at the highest frequencies for Worker’s Compensation claims. Have one of our trusted Safety Consultants come to your district to perform a facility inspection to identify potential areas of risk. Contact safety@csdpool.org to get in touch.

Don’t forget to Winterize!

Winter storms can cause many hazards, both to personnel and to district facilities and equipment. Roof damage, water damage, avalanches, icy roads, and power outages are only some of the potential threats to people and property.

If this is your first Colorado winter storm, you may not have realized the power of winter weather – or the effects of cold temperatures! Winterizing is a crucial preventative step to stop damage to structures. Here are some tips on winterizing your buildings:

• Drain all water from supply lines for swimming pools, water sprinklers, filters, fountains, dog water stations, and from all seasonally unoccupied buildings.
• Maintain a temperature of at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit in all buildings.
• On particularly cold nights, allow a trickle of water to run through the faucets to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Properly insulate all buildings and caulk doors and windows.
• Cover the inner side of windows with plastic.
• Regularly visit vacant and seasonally unoccupied buildings to inspect for burst pipes and water leakage.
• Install pipe sleeves, heat tape, or heat cables on pipes. Even a quarter inch of newspaper can provide some insulation to susceptible pipes.

The CSD Pool has resources, programs, and experts that are available to member districts, many at no additional cost to you. If you have questions about any of the programs or resources listed here, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@csdpool.org.

Stay safe and stay warm!