When a storm breaks up over Delta it usually breaks in the west first — a seam of orange opens over the Uncompahgre Plateau and the whole valley goes copper for about nine minutes. VM West, LP is often out in that light, finishing the day's clearing on driveways, walkways and parking areas around town. Snow here does not linger the way it does up high; the sun gets at it, the top goes to water, and overnight it turns into something a person could skate on. That is the argument for clearing early and clearing all the way down to the concrete. What is left is a property that is simply passable — which, in February, is worth more than it sounds.