Denver enforces a juvenile curfew under DRMC §38-171 for minors under 18. School nights Sunday through Thursday the curfew runs 11 PM to 5 AM; Friday and Saturday it runs midnight to 5 AM. Exceptions for work, school events, emergencies, and accompaniment by a parent or guardian.
Denver's juvenile curfew ordinance, DRMC §38-171, prohibits minors under 18 years of age from being in any public place, business, or vehicle on a public street without a parent or legal guardian during curfew hours. Curfew runs 11 PM Sunday through Thursday until 5 AM the following morning, and midnight to 5 AM on Friday and Saturday nights. The ordinance lists statutory exceptions: the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian; is on an errand at the direction of the parent; is traveling directly to or from employment with proof; is responding to an emergency; is attending a school, religious, or civic organization activity; is exercising First Amendment rights; or has parental permission for a specific reason. Parents/guardians are co-liable for knowingly permitting a curfew violation. Denver Police enforce primarily through community liaison rather than mass arrest; minors are typically taken home or released to a parent at a police precinct. The Denver School of the Arts and other late-ending events may be documented as exceptions. CO state law CRS §19-2-515 parallels juvenile handling.
First offense: warning and parent notification. Subsequent offenses: fine against parent/guardian $50 to $500 under DRMC §38-171. Habitual violations: referral to Denver Juvenile Court and Human Services diversion.
See how Denver County's juvenile curfew rules stack up against other locations.
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