Capitol Hill wakes in layers — the dog walkers first, then the buses grinding along Colfax, then everybody else. For Colorado Snow Removal is earlier than all of it, clearing the narrow walks, stoops and step-fronts of the brick apartment blocks before the first commuter shoulders a door open. Old neighborhoods make for tight snow work: no room to push, cars parked bumper to bumper, sidewalks that belong to somebody by ordinance and to everyone in practice. Shovel it clean, carry it where it belongs, treat the ice at the base of the steps. When the sun clears the Capitol dome and the walks are already dry, the day gets to start on time.