Nathan Spalding started Front Range Snow Removal with his Colorado School of Mines classmates to help pay for college costs.
GOLDEN, Colo. — More measurable snow on the way to the Denver metro area is welcomed news for businesses that depend on it.
Colorado School of Mines senior Nathan Spalding started Front Range Snow Removal with his friends as a means of making a bit of cash to help cut college costs.
“I’ve been working, teaching swim lessons for three years, since I came to Mines, to try to afford things like groceries, utility bills, I’m paying for my tuition. Paying out of state at Mines is not cheap,” Spalding said.
“My parents help me out a little bit, but I’m responsible for food, car costs as well, so like he was saying, it’s not the most cost friendly area of Colorado,” Spalding’s business partner and fellow senior Zack Russo said.
They planned to shovel driveways around Golden and west Denver, but Mother Nature had other plans.
“Well, so far, we’ve had no clients because we’ve had no snow,” Spalding said, with a laugh.
The students have several years living in Colorado under their belts, attending the School of Mines. So they know no snow going into December is an unusual sight.
“It’s totally weird,” Spalding said. “In previous years, it has snowed in October, end of October. Last year, I remember there was a week of snow straight in November, so I was hoping we would have some business in November. We were looking at this a couple months ago and we’ve been planning, printing flyers for a while, but it’s just completely dry, dead. There’s no snow to shovel right now.”
Spalding and Russo are looking forward to finally putting their shovels and salt to work Wednesday. The 9NEWS Weather Impact Team is forecasting up to 8 inches of snow in some areas.
Spalding said he’s seen an immediate uptick in responses from potential clients.
“In light of that, I have been making some posts and I’ve been super super slammed,” Spalding said. “Running around, getting tons of quotes, I have had like 10 different calls of people suddenly interested in snow removal because they look at the forecast and see how much snow they’re getting tomorrow.”
Spalding said he and Russo, along with their third business partner, spent the majority of Tuesday putting up door flyers to advertise their services.
“We do per snow and monthly. That way there’s some flexibility to know you’re secure for the month, driveway’s going to be clear, or just wanting to know it’s going to be clear any time it snows,” Spalding said.
He said that driveways, depending on size, generally cost $40-100. Monthly plans can range from $150-300. Quotes are free.
Spalding said they’ve put a few hundred dollars into the business so far. He said they’re equipped with shovels, salt and snowblowers.
“I’m really excited to sort of serve Golden this winter and hopefully we get more snow,” Spalding said.
