Colorado Springs business owners told to fix parking lots before winter

Ascent Striping is urging Colorado Springs property managers to inspect asphalt now, warning that freeze-thaw cycles can turn small cracks into expensive spring repairs. The veteran-owned company says late summer is the last practical window for sealcoating, crack filling and ADA fixes before temperatures drop.

Why it matters: - Winter in Colorado Springs can turn minor pavement damage into major repair costs. - Freeze-thaw cycles can widen cracks, worsen potholes and increase liability for property owners. - ADA parking issues can create federal compliance exposure year-round, not just in winter.

What happened: - Ascent Striping, LLC is urging Colorado Springs business owners and property managers to inspect parking lots before freezing weather arrives. - The veteran-owned parking lot maintenance company says the time for sealcoating and crack filling is closing fast. - Owner Michael Witham said waiting until spring often turns a maintenance cost into a much larger repair bill. - Ascent Striping serves commercial, multifamily, religious and institutional properties in Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

The details: - Colorado Springs sits at more than 6,000 feet in elevation and averages more than 200 days of sunshine a year. - The city also sees sharp temperature swings that can drop below freezing overnight, even in early fall. - That freeze-thaw cycle is harder on pavement than in lower-elevation climates. - UV exposure at elevation also dries out and oxidizes asphalt faster. - Ascent Striping says the combination makes Colorado Springs parking lots age faster than the national average. - Crack filling helps block water from entering asphalt before freezing expands the damage. - Sealcoating protects asphalt from water, UV damage and chemical exposure. - Sealcoat must be applied before temperatures fall below 50°F. - Potholes tend to worsen through winter and can create claims if a vehicle is damaged on private property. - ADA issues include faded markings, missing signs and inaccessible stalls. - Complaints filed with the Department of Justice can lead to fines and mandatory remediation orders. - Witham said the company often finds missing signage, signs mounted too low and properties with no accessible stall at all. - Under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, properties open to the public must maintain accessible parking. - Ascent Striping provides sealcoating, crack filling, pothole repair, line striping, fire lane markings and ADA compliance assessment and installation. - The company offers no-obligation property assessments. - Ascent Striping also offers financing through Acorn Finance for qualified customers. - Larger projects can be phased to fit budget cycles. - Witham served in the U.S. Navy from 1995 to 1999 and has 26 years of combined military and public service experience. - Ascent Striping is veteran-owned and operated. - The company is asking property managers and business owners to contact it before the sealcoating season ends. - More information is available on Michael Witham’s LinkedIn profile.

Between the lines: - The pitch is as much about prevention as it is about repair. - Fall maintenance can reduce both long-term pavement damage and near-term legal risk. - ADA compliance stands out as a separate year-round issue that many property owners may overlook until they receive a complaint.

What's next: - Property owners who act now can still complete sealcoating and crack filling before temperatures drop too far. - Ascent Striping is positioning pre-winter assessments as the main next step for managers with aging lots. - Waiting until spring is likely to mean larger repairs and more disruption.

The bottom line: - In Colorado Springs, small asphalt problems do not stay small through winter.