How Colorado Springs Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide

Colorado Springs maintains 135 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with curfew laws. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Colorado Springs falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Juvenile Curfew

Colorado Springs enforces a juvenile curfew under the city code. Minors under 18 are prohibited from being in public places during curfew hours without a parent, guardian, or authorized adult. Curfew hours are generally 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM on weeknights (Sunday through Thursday) and midnight to 5:00 AM on weekends (Friday and Saturday). Exceptions include minors traveling to or from work, attending supervised events, or responding to emergencies. Parents may also be cited for allowing minors to violate curfew.

Key details: Age: Under 18 years old. Weeknight Curfew: 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM (Sun-Thu). Weekend Curfew: Midnight to 5:00 AM (Fri-Sat). Exceptions: Work, supervised events, emergencies. Parental Liability: Parents may be cited for violations.

First offense: warning and parental notification. Repeat: $50 to $500 fine to parents. Habitual violations: referral to juvenile court.

Park Curfew

Colorado Springs parks are subject to posted hours of operation, generally open from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM unless otherwise posted. Garden of the Gods, North Cheyenne Canon Park, and other popular parks have specific posted hours. Being in a city park after posted closing hours is a violation of park rules and can result in a citation from Colorado Springs Police. Some parks and trails like the Pikes Peak Greenway have extended or different hours. Special events may allow after-hours access with a city parks permit.

Key details: General Hours: 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM unless posted otherwise. Garden of the Gods: Specific posted seasonal hours. Enforcement: CSPD issues citations for after-hours presence. Special Events: After-hours access with parks permit. Trails: Some greenway trails have extended hours.

After-hours trespassing: $50 to $250 citation. Unauthorized camping: $100 to $500. Vandalism during closed hours: criminal charges.

The Bottom Line

Colorado Springs's curfew laws rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Colorado Springs is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Colorado Springs's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.