Reed wrote:
With the Denver area undergoing an unusually long cold spell, ice has
built up fairly solid in the gutters, and on lower shingles, on the
north side of house. The south side does get just enough sun to have
melted OK. In 20 years in this house, this has not happened before.

Is there a best way to remove this ice before any damage is done,
particularly if it ever warms up again around here ??

The gutter and eaves are first floor, easily reachable with ladder on
ground.

--reed

If you can get some icemelt just sprinkle a little on the ice in the
gutter , if not you can use any other salt granules you can get, (like
water softener salt) or just use table salt.

Too much salt will kill plants and grass so use as little as possible.
If the air temp is above freezing puring some warm water on the ice in
the gutters will work too.