Colorado Springs, CO Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 9.2.112
- Zones covered
- Central Commercial District; Old Colorado City Commercial District
- Restricted hours
- 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Fri/Sat
- First offense
- Up to $500 fine or probation
- Repeat offense
- Up to $500 fine, 90 days jail, or probation
- Adopted
- Ord. 16-13; amended Ord. 22-07, Ord. 25-01
Summary
City Code § 9.2.112 makes it unlawful to sit, kneel, recline or lie down on the public right of way in the Central Commercial District or Old Colorado City Commercial District between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily, and again from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
A. Unlawful: It shall be unlawful for any person to sit, kneel, recline or lie down in the Central Commercial District or in the Old Colorado City Commercial 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 seven o'clock (7:00) A.M. and ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. daily and between ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. and three o'clock (3:00) A.M. on Friday and Saturday nights. ... D. No law enforcement officer shall issue a citation, make an arrest or otherwise enforce this section against any person unless the person engages in conduct prohibited by this section after having first been notified by a law enforcement officer that the conduct violates this section. E. Penalties: 1. Upon conviction for a first offense..., a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or probation, or both. 2. Upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense..., a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or imprisonment in jail for not more than ninety (90) days, or probation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 26-23, passed June 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Adopted by Ordinance 16-13 and most recently amended by Ordinance 25-01, the ban covers the surface of any public right of way, including sidewalks, curbs, medians and traffic islands, plus any bedding, chair, stool or other object placed on that surface, inside two specifically mapped areas: the Central Commercial District and the Old Colorado City Commercial District, bordered by West Pikes Peak Avenue, West Cucharras Street, 23rd Street and 28th Street. on other nights. C lists six affirmative defenses: a medical emergency, use of a wheelchair or similar mobility device due to a medically confirmable disability, operating or patronizing a permitted business located in the right of way, attending a permitted parade or similar special event, sitting on a City-furnished object such as a bench, or waiting at a transit stop for public transportation.
Subsection D is a built-in due-process safeguard, no officer may cite or arrest anyone under this section unless that person was first personally notified by law enforcement that their conduct violates it and continued the conduct anyway.
Violations & Fines
First offense: a fine of up to $500, or probation, or both, per § 9.2.112.E.1. A second or subsequent offense raises the exposure to a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, probation, or a combination of the three, under § 9.2.112.E.2. An officer must have already warned the person that the conduct violates the section before any citation or arrest can issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the sit-lie ban apply in Colorado Springs?
What hours is sitting or lying down banned?
Do I have to be warned before I get a ticket?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colorado Springs
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