Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Denver, CO (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Denver, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
Denver prohibits sitting or lying on the public right-of-way in the Downtown Business Improvement District from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with exceptions for disability, medical emergencies, and permitted events.
Denver Bans Sitting or Lying in Downtown Right-of-Way
Significant RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 38-86.1
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sit or lie down in the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District upon the surface of any public right-of-way or upon any bedding, chair, stool, or any other object placed upon the surface of the public right-of-way between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Encampment Sanitation
Denver's urban camping ban makes it unlawful to camp on public or private property without authorization, covering both sidewalks and parks and unpermitted private lots.
Denver Bans Unauthorized Camping Citywide
Heavy RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 38-86.2
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to camp upon any private property without the express written consent of the property owner or the owner's agent, and only in such locations where camping may be conducted in accordance with any other applicable city law. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to camp upon any public property except in any location where camping has been expressly allowe...