Asphalt Paving in Elizabeth, CO
New asphalt in Elizabeth has to survive a winter with 35 inches of snow, five months of freeze-thaw, and a summer sun that is noticeably harsher at 6,500 feet than it is down in Denver. Elizabeth Asphalt Paving paves driveways, private roads, and small lots with that in mind, spending most of the effort on the base and drainage because that is where a paved surface either lasts or fails.
What Asphalt Paving Covers
Asphalt paving means placing a new hot-mix asphalt surface over a prepared aggregate base. On a residential property around Elizabeth that is usually a driveway, a turnaround or parking pad, or a shared private road serving a few homes off a county road. For small commercial properties it is a parking lot or a delivery lane.
This page covers new paving in general. Specific pages exist for driveway paving, converting an existing gravel drive, and parking lots, and each of those goes deeper on its particular situation.
- New driveways and turnarounds on acreage lots
- Private roads shared by several homes
- Parking pads for RVs, trailers, and horse trailers
- Small commercial and church parking lots
- Replacement of failed asphalt down to the base
How We Pave, Step by Step
Every paving job begins with layout and grading. We establish the finished elevations so water runs off the pavement and away from any structure, then excavate or cut to the depth needed for the base and asphalt. Around Elizabeth that depth varies with the soil; sandy loam from the Dawson Arkose compacts well, while clay pockets need more base or soil correction to limit heaving.
Next comes the aggregate base, placed in lifts and compacted with a vibratory roller or plate compactor until it is dense and stable. Hot-mix asphalt is then delivered, placed with a paver or by hand on tight areas, and rolled while still hot to the finished thickness. Edges are compacted and shaped so they do not break off when a tire drops onto the shoulder.
After rolling, the surface needs time to cool and cure. We tell you when it is safe for foot traffic and when vehicles can use it, and we recommend waiting a season before the first sealcoat so the asphalt can fully cure.
New Paving vs. Resurfacing or Repair
Full paving over a new or rebuilt base is the right call when there is no existing asphalt, when the existing asphalt is failing because the base underneath has moved or washed out, or when alligator cracking covers a large share of the surface. Resurfacing with an overlay makes sense when the base is still sound and the problems are mostly on top. Spot repair fits when damage is limited to a few areas.
An honest site visit sorts this out quickly. We look at how the surface has failed, probe the edges, and check for soft spots. If an overlay or repair will do the job, that is what we recommend.
Searching for Asphalt Paving Near Me in Elizabeth?
Elizabeth Asphalt Paving serves properties in town, in the newer subdivisions like Spring Valley Ranch, and out along CO-86, Elbert Road, and the county roads toward Kiowa and Franktown. A site visit and written estimate are free. Call (720) 555-0147 or send the form on this page.
Paving Conditions on the Palmer Divide
Elizabeth's hot-mix paving season is shorter than it is on the plains. Ground and air temperatures need to hold above 50 degrees, which generally means late April or May through October. Paving outside that window risks asphalt that cools before it can be properly compacted, and poorly compacted asphalt lets water in and fails early in freeze-thaw.
Soil also shapes how we build the base. Most lots around Elizabeth sit on loams and sandy loams that drain well, but pockets of expansive clay are common across the area. Where we find clay, we increase base depth or correct the subgrade so seasonal moisture swings do not lift and crack the new surface.
Common Questions
How thick should a new asphalt driveway be in Elizabeth?
For a residential driveway, a compacted asphalt layer of two and a half to three inches over a six-inch or deeper compacted aggregate base is typical. Heavier use, such as a horse trailer or regular delivery trucks, calls for a thicker base and asphalt section. We size it to your actual use.
How long before I can drive on new asphalt?
Most driveways can take foot traffic the same day and passenger vehicles after two to three days in warm weather. Asphalt continues to cure for months, so avoid parking in the same spot for long stretches, turning tires while stationary, and setting sharp objects like kickstands on the surface during the first summer.
Do I need a permit for new paving in Elbert County?
Paving on your own property generally does not need a building permit, but a new or modified connection to a county road requires a Residential or Commercial Access Permit from Elbert County Public Works in Kiowa. Inside Elizabeth town limits, work touching a town street or easement needs a right-of-way permit. We help identify what applies.
What is the difference between hot-mix asphalt and the cold patch sold at hardware stores?
Hot-mix asphalt is produced at a plant at high temperature and compacted while hot, which gives it the density and strength to serve as a driving surface for years. Cold patch is a temporary repair material for small holes. New paving is always done with hot mix.
Can you pave in the fall before winter?
Yes, as long as daytime temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees and the ground has not started to freeze. September and early October often work well in Elizabeth. Late October becomes a judgment call based on the forecast, and we will tell you if it makes more sense to wait for spring.
Where We Offer Asphalt Paving
Plan Your Paving Project in Elizabeth
Send a few details about your property and what you want paved, and we will set up a site visit and written estimate. Call (720) 555-0147 or use the form below.