How Arvada Handles Public Conduct: A Practical Guide

Arvada maintains 140 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with public conduct. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Arvada falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Skateboarding Rules

City Code § 62-72 makes it unlawful to skateboard, in-line skate, or use similar devices on any public or private property that is posted to prohibit the activity, and lets a private owner's posted sign trigger enforcement without any further city action.

Key details: Scope: Only property posted to prohibit the activity. Devices covered: Skateboards, in-line skates, similar devices. Who can post: Any public or private property owner. Adopted: Ord. No. 4044, § 1, 12-18-2006. Max penalty: $2,650 fine or 364 days jail.

Skateboarding, in-line skating, or using a similar device on any posted public or private property is punishable under the Code's general penalty, § 1-5: a fine up to $2,650.00, imprisonment up to 364 days, or both. No prior warning is required once a sign is posted; the posting itself authorizes enforcement.

Public Urination

Arvada makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate in public view, on public or private property, unless in a room or area designed for that purpose. Arvada City Code § 62-57 has stood largely unchanged since 1984 and carries a fine up to the general penalty limits in § 1-5.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 62-57. Rule: No urinating/defecating in public view. Applies to: Public and private property alike. Exception: Designated, equipped restroom or area. Origin: 1981 Code § 21-27, amended 1984-1986.

Urinating or defecating where visible to the public, on any public or private property outside a proper restroom, violates § 62-57(a) and is punishable by a fine up to the general limits set in § 1-5 of the Code. There is no requirement that police prove the act happened on city property, only that it occurred "in the public view."

Aggressive Panhandling

Arvada bars soliciting money, business, or sales from vehicle occupants on any street, highway, or interstate when doing so forces the solicitor into the travel lanes or happens where cars cannot safely pull over. Arvada City Code § 62-37, adopted in 2019 for pedestrian and traffic safety, targets roadside and highway-ramp panhandling and vending.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 62-37. Adopted by: Ordinance No. 4679, March 18, 2019. Covers: Streets, highways, I-70 and I-76 ramps. Trigger: Entering travel lanes or no safe pullover. Penalty basis: Fine or jail under § 1-5.

Soliciting a vehicle occupant from the traveled portion of a street, highway, or interstate ramp, or at a spot with no legal pullover, violates § 62-37(c) regardless of whether money changes hands. A conviction carries a fine or jail time capped at the general penalty schedule in § 1-5 of the Code.

Public Alcohol Use

Arvada bans possessing an open container of alcohol or drinking on any public property citywide, unless the spot is a licensed bar or restaurant or the city manager issues written permission. City Code Section 6-4 also reaches private property that is outdoors and open to the public, including parked cars, campers and trailers there. Violators face Arvada's general penalty.

Key details: Governing section: Arvada City Code § 6-4. Covers: public property and outdoor private property open to public. Max fine: $2,650.00 per offense. Max jail term: 364 days. Enforcing agency: Arvada Police Department.

A first violation of Section 6-4 is a municipal offense punishable under the Code's general penalty, Section 1-5: a fine of up to $2,650.00, up to 364 days in jail, or both, for anyone 18 or older. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. Arvada Police Department officers issue citations for open-container violations and can confiscate the alcohol on the spot.

Loitering Rules

Arvada bans minors 17 and younger from loitering unsupervised in any public place between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on weeknights, and between midnight and 6:00 a.m. on weekends. Arvada City Code § 62-152 defines loitering broadly, and § 62-154 separately fines a parent who knowingly lets a minor break curfew.

Key details: Governing sections: City Code §§ 62-151 to 62-154. Weeknight curfew: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Weekend curfew: Midnight to 6:00 a.m.. Covered ages: 17 and younger, unsupervised. Parental liability: Separate violation under § 62-154.

A minor 17 or younger caught loitering unsupervised during curfew hours violates § 62-152(a), punishable by a fine up to the § 1-5 limits. A parent or guardian who knowingly lets the minor violate curfew separately violates § 62-154 unless they had already reported the minor missing to police.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Arvada actively enforces its loitering rules requirements.

Public Marijuana Use

City Code § 62-213(c) makes it unlawful to openly and publicly display, consume, or use marijuana anywhere in Arvada, backed by minimum fines starting at $200 for a first offense and $500 for each additional violation under § 62-218.

Key details: Ban: Open and public display, use, or consumption. First offense: $200 minimum fine. Second offense: $300 minimum fine. Third+ offense: $500 minimum fine each. No medical defense: § 62-216(b) excludes public-use charges.

Openly displaying, consuming, or using marijuana in a public place, on a sidewalk, in a park, or in the common area of an apartment complex is a petty offense under § 62-218: a minimum $200.00 fine for a first violation, $300.00 for a second, and $500.00 for each subsequent violation, and the medical or retail marijuana affirmative defense in § 62-216 does not apply to this charge.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Arvada actively enforces its public marijuana use requirements.

Jaywalking

Arvada makes it unlawful for a pedestrian to willfully and unnecessarily hinder, obstruct, or delay vehicle traffic on a roadway, the city's stand-in for a jaywalking law. Arvada City Code § 62-36 exempts anyone lawfully crossing within a crosswalk, but stepping into traffic outside one to block or slow cars is punishable.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 62-36. Adopted by: Ordinance No. 4679, March 18, 2019. Crosswalk exception: Applies only while lawfully crossing. Related median rule: § 62-36.5, roadways posted over 30 mph. Penalty basis: Fine or jail under § 1-5.

Willfully hindering, obstructing, or delaying traffic outside a crosswalk violates § 62-36(c) and is punishable by a fine or jail time up to the general limits in § 1-5. Occupying a posted center median on a roadway signed above 30 mph is a separate, strict-liability violation of § 62-36.5, meaning police need not prove intent, only that the median was posted.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Arvada prohibits smoking in any 'public place,' a term defined to include parks, trails, golf courses, and outdoor customer seating areas, along with sports arenas and cigar-tobacco bars, backed by escalating fines starting at $200 for a first violation.

Key details: Core rule: No smoking in any "public place". Public place includes: Parks, trails, golf courses, patios. Entrance buffer: No smoking within 25 feet of doors. First violation: Minimum $200 fine. Third+ violation: Minimum $500 fine.

Smoking in a prohibited public place is an infraction under Section 38-307(h): a minimum fine of $200.00 for a first violation, $300.00 for a second, and $500.00 for each violation after that, with each day of continuing conduct counted separately. Section 38-307(e) also bars retaliating against an employee, applicant, or customer for asserting the right to a smoke-free environment.

Compared to other cities, Arvada takes a harder line on outdoor smoking restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Arvada is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Arvada, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Arvada's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.