SOUTHERN COLORADO — It may be the beginning of fall, but the Colorado Department of Transportation is already working to hire permanent and seasonal workers for this winter.
Those hired will be responsible for maintaining highways and driving snow plows.
Michelle Peulen, communications manager with CDOT, said this is something CDOT has done for the last few years.
Peulen said, "As we grow as a state our positions in maintenance need to grow as well."
Matt Pettit, a maintenance worker with CDOT, said the 100 hires is "a big chunk of people and we could use the help."
He was hired by CDOT last year and the growth since then is "causing us to be in more places and we don't have enough guys to spread out and get everything taken care of as soon as we'd like."
The latter - an important thing in Colorado especially during winter. Recruiting people like Pettit isn't always easy.
Peulen said, "There have been struggles recently. It all is dependent on the job market so as we see the job market improve...last year we had a real tough time finding truck drivers."
It's why CDOT is trying to make the job worth people's while.
Peulen said, "Right now the position is offering $23 an hour which works out to be about $3,200 a month. We also have wonderful health insurance and of course paid holidays."
Beyond those incentives Pettit said, "These roadways are where our family travels, our loved ones...we're just providing the path to keep everyone safe."
As of Tuesday Peulen said no one had been hired yet as the positions were just posted. Those who are hired will start in November.
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