Berthoud Snowplow Providers Adapt to Mild Winter

Local excavation companies report little need for plowing services this season.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:26pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal shovel, a pile of rock salt, and a snow brush arranged elegantly on a clean, white background, conceptually representing the challenges of unpredictable winter weather for municipal snow removal services.Mild winters force snowplow providers to adapt their services and equipment to changing seasonal demands.Berthoud Today

With a warm winter in Berthoud, Colorado, established snowplow providers like Jones Excavating & Plumbing and Gopher Excavation have seen minimal demand for their plowing services this season. The companies, which focus primarily on other services like excavation and water line work, say snowplowing is a secondary part of their business. The mild weather has also benefited the town, allowing public works crews to focus on other projects rather than snow removal.

Why it matters

Snowplowing is an important service in many Colorado towns, but reliance on it can be a challenge for businesses when winters are unusually warm and dry. This story highlights how diversified companies are better able to adapt to fluctuations in seasonal work, while smaller, independent plowing operators may struggle more during low-snow years.

The details

Jones Excavating & Plumbing and Gopher Excavation, both based in Berthoud, report doing very little snowplowing work this winter season. Gopher Excavation has only plowed once, on December 3-4, at the Berthoud Post Office, and Jones Excavating has primarily focused on private clients needing lot clearing rather than municipal work. Both companies say snowplowing is a secondary service for them, with their primary business being excavation, water line work, and other construction services.

  • In winter 2025, Gopher Excavation plowed once, on Dec. 3 and 4, at the Berthoud Post Office.
  • In 2026 so far, Gopher Excavation has only plowed once.

The players

Jones Excavating & Plumbing

A construction company based in Berthoud that has operated for decades, focusing primarily on excavation, water line work, and other construction services. Snowplowing is a secondary part of their business.

Gopher Excavation

A Berthoud-based excavation company that has also provided snowplowing services, primarily for local businesses and government facilities. Like Jones Excavating, snowplowing is a smaller part of their overall operations.

Keith Knoll

The public works operations manager for the town of Berthoud, overseeing snow removal and other municipal services.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've gone out only once in 2026. It's definitely been a really weird winter.”

— Sierra Suits, Gopher Excavation employee

“Most of our business is actual dirt work; snow is kind of a fill-in. Yeah, this year has been pretty slow.”

— Josh Jones, Fourth-generation owner, Jones Excavating

“In 2025, we did about 115 hours of plowing; this year, so far about 27 hours. And this is supposed to be the heavy time.”

— Keith Knoll, Public works operations manager, Town of Berthoud

What’s next

The town of Berthoud will likely need to purchase less snow removal supplies this year due to the mild winter, allowing them to redirect those funds to other municipal projects and services.

The takeaway

This story highlights how diversified construction and excavation companies in Berthoud are able to adapt to fluctuations in seasonal work, unlike smaller, independent snowplow operators who may struggle more during low-snow winters. The mild weather has also benefited the town, allowing public works crews to focus on other priorities.