Boulder County, CO Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- Rule 6, Camping
- Overnight camping on Open Space
- unlawful without Director approval
- Exception locations
- designated Fairgrounds areas only
- Related overnight vehicle rule
- no parking sunset-sunrise (Rule 9(d))
- Violation classification
- civil infraction
- Standard fine
- $100 penalty assessment
Summary
Boulder County bans overnight camping, tents, and occupying a vehicle or trailer overnight on any Parks & Open Space land, under Rule 6 of its Rules and Regulations (Resolution No. 2023-024). The only exceptions are designated areas at the Boulder County Fairgrounds or written approval from the Parks & Open Space Director.
6. Camping
It shall be unlawful to camp overnight in a tent, or other shelter, or to occupy any vehicle, trailer, or camper for overnight camping on Open Space lands except in designated areas at the Boulder County Fairgrounds or when approved by the Director or the Director's designee.
32. Penalties
Violation of any rule or regulation above shall be a civil infraction as provided for in § 29-7-101(2) and § 30-15-402, C.R.S., as amended, and punishable by fine or as otherwise provided by law. ... Regulations assessments: $100 (unless specified below).
Full Breakdown
Rule 6 of the county's Parks & Open Space Rules and Regulations makes it unlawful to camp overnight in a tent or other shelter, or to occupy any vehicle, trailer, or camper overnight, anywhere on Open Space lands, with only two narrow carve-outs: designated areas at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, or when the Director or the Director's designee has specifically approved it. ' Related rules reinforce the same ground: Rule 7(a) separately bans campfires outright except in provided grills at established picnic/camping areas, and Rule 9(d) bars parking any vehicle, attended or not, from sunset to sunrise without the Director's permission, closing off a common workaround for overnight camping in a parked vehicle.
Rule 1(a) also makes it unlawful to remove, destroy, or deface property such as trees, fences, or trash containers, which reaches damage often associated with unauthorized camp sites. S.
Violations & Fines
Camping overnight in violation of Rule 6 is a civil infraction under Rule 32, authorized by § 29-7-101(2) and § 30-15-402, C.R.S. Enforcement personnel may issue a citation or summons, or use the Penalty Assessment Procedure under § 16-2-201, C.R.S. The standard fine schedule under Rule 32(c) sets a $100 assessment for regulation violations not otherwise specified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone legally camp overnight on Boulder County Open Space land?
Is sleeping in a parked car on Open Space land allowed if I'm not technically 'camping'?
What agency enforces the camping ban?
What's the fine for illegal camping on Boulder County Open Space?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado homelessness & encampment rules overview
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