Boulder, like most of the lower 48, is getting ready for the onset of winter, colder weather, snow, and all of the concomitant events. What are the top seven things we can and should do to get ready? Because I am lazy at heart, I am focusing on the “quick hitters.” What are the things which should or must be done, which take the least effort and expense, for the most benefit?

1. Disconnect and store outdoor hoses: After turning off the outdoor faucets, disconnect and drain hoses to prevent water from freezing inside, which could damage them and the faucet. Easy, quick, and prevents costly repairs.

2. Seal gaps around windows and doors: Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal small gaps that let cold air in. This task requires minimal effort and can save on heating bills by reducing drafts.

3. Change furnace filters: Replace dirty or clogged filters in your furnace to ensure it runs efficiently. This helps maintain good air quality and lowers heating costs.

4. Reverse ceiling fan direction: There are two schools of thought.

• Traditional Advice: Typically, people are told to set ceiling fans to spin clockwise in the winter at a low speed to push warm air down from the ceiling. This helps prevent warm air from getting stuck up high where it doesn’t do much good.
• My Approach: Encouraging hot air to rise can also promote circulation without “forcing” it downward. In fact, a fan set to spin at a slow speed and moving air upward can mix the warm air near the ceiling with the cooler air below more naturally, improving circulation without direct “pushing” of the warm air.

Both methods achieve the same goal of better air distribution. The key is low-speed fan rotation—whether pushing or pulling air—so it doesn’t create a wind-chill effect. I prefer to not fight the natural rising of the hotter air, but instead like to encourage this natural air flow direction.

In winter, some prefer ceiling fans rotating clockwise to push warm air down. Key to either approach is having the fan set on SLOW!

5. Insulate water pipes: Add foam pipe insulation to exposed pipes in areas like the garage, basement, or crawl spaces. This helps prevent freezing and bursting, which can lead to expensive repairs.

6. Check snow blower readiness: Make sure the gas tank is full, check tire inflation, and give it a test run to ensure it’s ready when needed. Proper tire pressure helps avoid  unnecessary energy expenditure. If one tire is lower than the other, it pulls the snowblower in circles. Fighting that pull takes WAY more effort than if the snowblower simply goes straight ahead. All of the snowblower prep is most easily done while it is still nice outside. A test startup will force you to locate the starter extension cord, check the fuel tank, check the backup gas tank, and review the operating controls while it is warm and dry.

Consider assembling your snowblower outfit, including ear plugs or headphones, dark goggles like ski goggles, wind-proof and water proof outer layer, and proper footwear. Summer sandals will simply not be comfortable. Noise-reduction headphones will help to protect your hearing, keep your ears warm, and are great for listening to music or a book-on-tape while working. The task can even be fun! I’d consider Beethoven or perhaps Tommy. As long as you’re dressed and equipped for the task, you might consider running the snowblower down some of the neighbors’ sidewalks also. Over the years, our neighbors have rotated, with whoever is out and running first, doing some of the neighbors’ walks. It is a FABULOUS surprise to wake up to no only some significant snow, but to a cleared sidewalk! It is a beautiful thing. The practice has grown over the years and is one of the things that makes a “neighborhood” and neighbors such a great part of living in town.

7. Clean gutters: Clear leaves and debris from gutters to prevent ice dams from forming. Ice dams can cause water to back up under the roof and lead to leaks inside your home. This is a tricky one. Working on a ladder is a high-risk activity. Consider having this task handled by the professionals. I have not personally experimented with any of the gutter-clearing robots and I imagine our gutters laughing at a mere robot, chewing  up the robot and spitting it out.

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Leonard Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and syndicated blogger and author.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com