Pop. 46,208 · Arapahoe County
Littleton STR properties must comply with the city's general parking regulations. Guests are subject to 72-hour residential street parking limits and posted timed zones in Historic Downtown. The ULUC (Title 10) sets minimum off-street parking requirements by zone district.
Littleton's short-term rental program (Title 3, Chapter 23 of the City Code, adopted via Ordinance No. 41, Series 2020) ties STR occupancy to the property's existing structural occupancy limits rather than imposing a separate per-bedroom cap. STRs must be the operator's primary residence, and only one unit on a multi-unit property may be licensed.
Littleton expressly prohibits operating a short-term rental without fire, hazard, and liability insurance. The requirement is set out in Title 3, Chapter 23 (Ord. No. 41, Series 2020). Standard homeowners policies typically exclude commercial STR activity, so most hosts need an STR endorsement or commercial policy.
Above-ground pools in Littleton are regulated under the City's residential building code and fence ordinance. Any swimming or wading pool with a depth of 24 inches or greater must be fully enclosed in residential districts, and all fences require a building permit. Pools generally also trigger building or accessory-structure permitting through Littleton Building & Development.
Littleton requires building permits for permanent swimming pool construction under Title 4 (Building Regulations). Pools must comply with the Colorado-adopted International Residential Code (IRC) Chapter 42, including structural, plumbing, electrical, and fencing requirements.
Littleton follows the Colorado-adopted IRC Chapter 42 for pool barriers: minimum 60-inch height, self-closing/self-latching gates with latches at least 54 inches high, and maximum 4-inch picket spacing. All swimming and wading pools 24 inches or deeper must be fully enclosed.
Littleton enforces pool safety through the adopted IRC and building code (Title 4). Requirements include anti-entrapment drain covers, GFCI electrical protection, backflow prevention, and proper chemical storage. The city follows Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control standards.
Arapahoe County Building Division requires an electrical permit for hot tub 240V installation. Hot tubs over 24 inches deep require a barrier per 2018 IRC Appendix G unless covered by an ASTM F1346 locking safety cover. Setbacks from property lines apply.
Littleton's ULUC (Title 10) permits home occupations as accessory uses in residential zones subject to specific conditions. Home businesses must be clearly incidental to the residential use and not change the character of the dwelling or neighborhood.
Littleton's ULUC prohibits exterior signage for home occupations in residential zones. No signs, displays, or advertising visible from the exterior of the dwelling are permitted. Business signage is restricted to commercial and mixed-use zones.
Littleton's ULUC limits customer visits to home occupations to avoid impacting residential neighborhoods. Home businesses must not generate traffic, parking, or noise beyond what is normal for the area. Deliveries should be minimal and consistent with residential patterns.
Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) licenses family child care homes. Arapahoe County allows home daycares as a permitted use in residential zones subject to state license. Small (up to 6 kids) and large (7-12 kids) programs have separate requirements.
Colorado Cottage Foods Act CRS 25-4-1614 allows producers in unincorporated Arapahoe County to sell up to $10,000 per product annually of non-potentially hazardous foods directly to consumers. No health inspection required, but producer must complete a food-safety training course.
Littleton allows backyard chickens and beekeeping in residential areas under the ULUC. The city already permitted these uses prior to the 2024 Arapahoe County unincorporated area regulations. Specific limits on hen counts, coop requirements, and beehive numbers apply by zone district.
Littleton does not have breed-specific legislation (BSL). There are no bans on pit bulls or other specific breeds. Colorado SB 04-079 partially preempts breed-based insurance discrimination. Dangerous dog designations are based on individual animal behavior, not breed.
Littleton requires dogs on leash in all public areas under Title 6, Chapter 2. The South Platte River Trail and High Line Canal Trail through Littleton require leash compliance. Off-leash exercise is permitted only at designated city dog parks.
Littleton permits residential beekeeping under the ULUC (Title 10). Colony limits are based on lot size. The city was among Arapahoe County municipalities that allowed beekeeping prior to the county's 2024 unincorporated area regulations. Registration with the Colorado Department of Agriculture is recommended.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations prohibit intentional feeding of big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears). Arapahoe County follows CPW rules. Bird feeders are regulated in bear-active areas and unsecured trash can constitute illegal feeding.
Exotic animal ownership in unincorporated Arapahoe County is governed primarily by Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations. A Commercial Wildlife Park License is required for native wildlife or exotic animals not on the state's unregulated wildlife list.
Colorado criminalizes animal hoarding under the cruelty statute when conditions cause suffering. The law applies uniformly statewide regardless of municipal animal limits.
Littleton prohibits noxious weeds and defines weeds as unacceptable landscaping under the ULUC and Landscape Design Criteria Manual. Colorado's Noxious Weed Act (CRS Section 35-5.5-101) requires control of designated weed species. The city enforces through code compliance.
Littleton residents follow water restrictions from their water provider, primarily Denver Water. Summer watering is typically limited to 2-3 assigned days per week with no watering between 10 AM and 6 PM. Colorado CRS Section 37-60-126 protects homeowners' rights to xeriscape.
Littleton's code compliance enforces property maintenance standards including grass and weed height limits. The city's Landscape Design Criteria Manual (authorized by ULUC) sets maintenance standards. Overgrown weeds and grass constitute a nuisance violation subject to abatement.
Littleton's ULUC and public works code regulate tree maintenance on both private and public property. Property owners are responsible for trimming trees that overhang public sidewalks and streets. The city manages public right-of-way trees. Historic Downtown tree canopy is particularly valued.
Colorado HB 16-1005 legalized limited residential rainwater harvesting statewide. Arapahoe County residents may collect up to 110 gallons in max two barrels, outdoor irrigation use only. Prior Appropriation Doctrine still governs—commercial or larger collection requires water right. Cherry Creek watershed adds protections.
Unincorporated Arapahoe County permits artificial turf on residential property without a permit when installed at grade. Colorado HB 19-1050 protects artificial turf as a drought-tolerant landscape. HOAs cannot ban it outright but may impose reasonable aesthetic rules.
Arapahoe County encourages xeriscape and native plant landscaping. Colorado HB 19-1050 and SB 23-178 prohibit HOAs from banning drought-tolerant landscaping. Resource Central and Denver Water rebates up to $3 per sq ft apply for lawn replacement in participating service areas.
Arapahoe County LDC Chapter 4-1.3 includes tree preservation rules for development projects in unincorporated areas. Tree surveys and replacement requirements apply during development. Russian olive trees are noxious weeds that should be removed under state law.
Littleton fire code requires defensible space around structures, particularly in western neighborhoods near the foothills and Chatfield State Park. South Metro Fire Rescue enforces wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards. Property owners must manage dry grass and vegetation during fire season.
Littleton regulates fire pits under Title 5 (Fire Regulations) and the adopted International Fire Code. Recreational fires must be 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet in height, with 15-foot clearance from combustible structures. Gas/propane fire pits are generally permitted even during burn restrictions.
Littleton prohibits open burning of trash, yard waste, construction debris, and leaves under Title 5 and the adopted fire code. The only permitted outdoor fires are recreational fires (fire pits) meeting size and clearance requirements. Arapahoe County burn bans add seasonal restrictions.
Colorado law CRS Section 12-28-101 bans all aerial fireworks statewide. Littleton follows state law allowing only permissible fireworks (ground-based items like sparklers and fountains). Arapahoe County burn bans may prohibit all fireworks use during Stage 2 restrictions.
Arapahoe County's western foothills and Cherry Creek drainage are in designated Wildland-Urban Interface zones. Defensible space (100-foot reduced-fuel zone) is required per local fire protection districts. IBHS/NFPA standards apply for new construction in high-risk areas.
Colorado adopts NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code by reference under CRS 8-20-232, applying uniform propane storage, container, and installation rules to all jurisdictions statewide.
Littleton's ULUC (Title 10) regulates fence heights. Front yard fences are generally limited to 4 feet. Rear and side yard fences may be up to 6 feet. All fences require a building permit. Corner lot visibility triangles must be maintained.
All fences in Littleton require a building permit under the city's building code (Title 4). Residential and commercial fence permits follow different procedures. The permit process verifies compliance with height limits, setbacks, visibility triangles, and materials standards.
Colorado has no residential shared-cost fence statute. Littleton requires fences to be built on the property owner's side of the property line. The ULUC addresses setbacks and visibility but does not mandate neighbor cost-sharing. Disputes are civil matters.
Arapahoe County requires permitted pool barriers per 2018 IRC Appendix G and ISPSC. Minimum barrier height 48 inches, self-closing/self-latching gates opening outward, latch height 54 inches, and max 4-inch opening through any pattern. Applies to all pools over 24 inches deep.
Arapahoe County Building Division requires a permit for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of footing to top of wall, or for any wall supporting a surcharge. Engineered plans stamped by a Colorado-licensed PE are required for walls over 4 feet.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code §5-2 regulates fence materials by zoning district. Wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and tubular steel are generally permitted. Barbed wire is restricted to agricultural and industrial zones. HOAs in Centennial, Aurora master-planned communities, and Cherry Hills Village commonly impose stricter material standards.
Garage conversions in Littleton require building permits under Title 4 and must comply with ULUC parking requirements. Converting a garage to living space may create a parking deficiency if the property's required off-street parking is reduced below the minimum.
Littleton passed Ordinance No. 09, Series 2025, allowing ADUs in all residential zones to comply with Colorado HB 24-1152. The ordinance increases maximum ADU size to 1,000 sq ft, eliminates extra parking requirements, and removes design restrictions that don't apply to primary homes. Effective June 2025.
Littleton's building code (Title 4) and ULUC (Title 10) regulate accessory structures. Structures under 200 sq ft may be exempt from building permits in some cases, but must still comply with ULUC zoning setbacks and lot coverage. Larger structures require permits.
Arapahoe County treats foundation-built tiny homes under 400 sq ft as dwellings governed by 2018 IRC Appendix Q. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as RVs under CRS 42-1-102(61) and generally cannot serve as permanent dwellings in residential zones.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code classifies carports as accessory structures. Permits are required. Setbacks are 5 feet side/rear in most residential zones, maximum height 16 feet, and carports count toward the 30-35% lot coverage maximum.
Littleton regulates construction noise through Title 7, Chapter 3 and Colorado state law CRS Section 25-12-103. Construction projects are subject to industrial-zone noise limits for the duration of valid construction permits. Waste disposal and refuse collection are prohibited between 7 PM and 7 AM.
Littleton regulates barking dogs under Title 6, Chapter 2 (Dogs and Cats) and the general noise ordinance (Title 7, Ch. 3). Persistent barking that disturbs the peace qualifies as unnecessary noise. Animal Control handles complaints through the Littleton Police Department.
Littleton City Code Title 7, Chapter 3 (Noise Control, Sections 7-3-1 through 7-3-13) regulates sound levels citywide. Residential district limits are 55 dB daytime and 50 dB nighttime, with the nighttime period beginning at 7 PM. Business districts allow 60 dB daytime and 55 dB nighttime.
Arapahoe County regulates amplified music through the general noise ordinance and C.R.S. §18-9-106 disturbing the peace. Sound amplification permits are required for public events. Residential amplified music must not exceed property-line dB limits. Outdoor venues in unincorporated areas require special use permits.
Arapahoe County has no leaf blower-specific ordinance. Operation must comply with general noise limits under C.R.S. §25-12-103 and county noise rules. Gas-powered blowers remain legal throughout unincorporated Arapahoe County. Cities within the county (Aurora, Centennial, Littleton) follow their own municipal noise codes but none ban gas blowers outright.
Aircraft noise in Colorado is governed almost entirely by federal aviation law, and state and local governments cannot directly regulate flight operations, though airport proprietors have limited authority.
Colorado fixes industrial noise ceilings at 80 decibels daytime and 75 decibels nighttime statewide under the Noise Abatement Act, with stricter local rules permitted but state minimums universal.
Littleton's ULUC (Title 10) restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential areas. Large commercial vehicles, heavy equipment, and vehicles over specified weight limits are generally prohibited from parking in residential neighborhoods for extended periods.
Littleton enforces a 72-hour consecutive street parking limit on residential streets. Historic Downtown Main Street has 2-hour posted limits. Snow emergency declarations require vehicles off designated routes. Neighborhood Parking Permit zones exist in high-demand areas.
Littleton regulates RV and boat storage through its ULUC (Title 10) and parking ordinances. Recreational vehicles parked on public streets are subject to the 72-hour limit. Off-street storage on residential property must comply with zoning setback and screening requirements.
Littleton's ULUC and building code regulate driveway construction and use. Vehicles may park on improved (paved) driveways. Colorado state law prohibits parking within 5 feet of a driveway entrance. Driveway modifications require a building permit.
Arapahoe County Building Division issues electrical permits for Level 2 EV charger installations. Colorado HB 23-1233 prohibits HOAs from banning EV charging equipment. The county follows 2020 NEC and requires inspection for 240V circuits.
Unincorporated Arapahoe County enforces a 72-hour maximum on street parking. No blanket overnight ban exists, but vehicles parked continuously for more than 72 hours are subject to tag-and-tow. Some subdivisions have private covenants restricting overnight parking.
Arapahoe County Code Section 12 and CRS 42-4-1803 authorize removal of abandoned vehicles. Vehicles left on public roads over 72 hours or inoperable vehicles visible from the street on private property may be tagged, ticketed, and towed at the owner's expense.
Littleton participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplains under Title 10, Chapter 7 of the city code. The city has both federal (FEMA) and local (Mile High Flood District) regulated floodplains, primarily along the South Platte River and Lee Gulch corridors.
Arapahoe County and cities require erosion and sediment control per Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) and Mile High Flood District standards. Projects over 1 acre need state CDPS Stormwater Construction Permit. Silt fencing, stabilized entrances, and BMPs required. Cherry Creek Watershed imposes stricter controls.
Arapahoe County is MS4-permitted under the Clean Water Act and Colorado Discharge Permit System. New development requires stormwater management per Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD/Mile High Flood District) standards. Cherry Creek Watershed Reg. 72 imposes stricter requirements. Water quality capture volume (WQCV) required.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code §4-4 requires grading permits for excavation or fill over 100 cubic yards or slopes over 3 feet. Aurora City Code §22-170 thresholds similar. Drainage must not redirect water to neighbors. Retaining walls over 4 feet require engineering. Colorado freeze depth 30-36 inches affects foundations.
Arapahoe County is landlocked—no coastal rules apply. However, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Cherry Creek, Plum Creek, Sand Creek, and the Highline Canal receive riparian and floodplain protections. Buffer setbacks 50-100 ft from waterways. FEMA floodplain rules and Cherry Creek Watershed Regulation 72 govern development near water.
Aurora City Code §46-451 limits garage sales to 3 per calendar year per household. Centennial and Littleton follow 3-4 per year standards. Unincorporated Arapahoe County has no specific frequency cap but repeated sales may trigger unlicensed retail classification. Each sale limited to 3 consecutive days.
Aurora City Code §46-451 limits garage sale hours to 8 AM to dusk. Centennial and Littleton follow 8 AM to 6 PM typical. Weekends (Friday-Sunday) most common. Merchandise and signs must be removed same day. Items left at curb may trigger property maintenance violations.
Aurora, Centennial, and most Arapahoe County cities do NOT require permits for residential garage sales if within frequency and signage limits. No permit needed in unincorporated county. Sales must be personal property only—not commercially purchased inventory. HOAs may impose additional rules.
Unincorporated Arapahoe County does not have a county-wide mandatory trash service, but waste management contracts with private haulers (Waste Management, Republic) set pickup rules. Bins typically must be stored out of street view between collection days and placed out no earlier than 12 hours before pickup.
Arapahoe County Code Section 7 addresses nuisance and blight conditions. Violations include accumulated junk, overgrown vegetation, broken windows, deteriorated structures, and inoperable vehicles. Enforcement is complaint-driven with a 10-day notice-to-correct standard.
Vacant lot owners in unincorporated Arapahoe County must keep grass and weeds under 12 inches, control noxious weeds under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, remove trash, and secure the property. The county may abate and bill the owner for non-compliance.
Arapahoe County cities enforce property maintenance standards during garage sales. Items must be organized and removed from yards by end of sale hours. Unsold items cannot remain at curb. Signs must come down within 24 hours. Aurora §46-300 and Centennial §7-6 blight rules apply.
Aurora City Code §138-300 requires property owners to clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall ending. Centennial MC §7-6-10 requires clearance within 24 hours. Littleton §7-10-1 requires clearance by 9 AM following day. Paths must be 36+ inches wide. Corner lots must clear curb ramps.
Arapahoe County residential zones typically limit structures to 35 feet or 2.5 stories per Land Development Code §3-2. Aurora UDO §146-4 follows 35 ft residential standard. Cherry Hills Village restricts to 32 ft to preserve view corridors. DIA flight-path zones impose additional FAA Part 77 height limits.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code §3-2 limits lot coverage: R-1 typically 35%, R-2 40%, R-A (rural) 20%. Aurora UDO §146-4 limits R-1 to 40% coverage. Cherry Creek watershed properties face additional impervious surface limits. Stormwater management triggered at 50%+ impervious.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code §3-2 establishes setbacks by zoning district. R-1: 25 ft front, 7 ft side, 25 ft rear. Aurora City Code and Centennial Municipal Code set similar standards. Cherry Hills Village mandates substantially larger setbacks (50+ ft front) preserving semi-rural character.
Aurora permits cannabis dispensaries under City Code §94-400, limited to designated commercial zones with 1,000-foot buffer from schools, daycares, and residential zones. Centennial, Littleton, and Englewood allow dispensaries with similar restrictions. Cherry Hills Village bans retail. Greenwood Village bans retail. Unincorporated Arapahoe County permits licensed operations.
Colorado Amendment 64 and C.R.S. §18-18-406 permit adults 21+ to grow up to 6 plants per adult (12 max per household, only 3 flowering). Aurora City Code §94-370 caps at 12 per household. Plants must be in enclosed, locked space not visible to public. Arapahoe County follows state framework in unincorporated areas.
Arapahoe County does not have a formal heritage tree program, but Aurora's Forestry Division and Cherry Hills Village protect significant specimen trees. The Colorado Tree Coalition maintains a Champion Tree registry. Mature cottonwoods in Cherry Creek corridor receive informal preservation through landscape review.
Aurora, Centennial, and Cherry Hills Village require replacement of permitted tree removals in public right-of-way and subdivisions. Replacement ratios 1:1 to 3:1 with 2-inch caliper minimum. Colorado native and drought-tolerant species preferred. Fee-in-lieu to city tree fund permitted.
Aurora City Code §94-350 requires permits to remove public trees (right-of-way); private property trees over 12 inches DBH may require review. Centennial has street tree protections through public works. Cherry Hills Village strictly protects mature trees. Unincorporated Arapahoe County has limited tree regulations.
Arapahoe County cities require solicitor and peddler permits with background checks. Aurora City Code §98-41 mandates permits and ID badges. Centennial Municipal Code §9-16 and Littleton §7-8-1 require similar registration. Hours limited to 9 AM-8 PM. Religious and political canvassing exempt per First Amendment.
Aurora and Centennial maintain no-solicitation registries and enforce posted No Soliciting signs. Registered addresses are distributed to permitted commercial solicitors. Violators face $100 to $500 fines. Registry does not apply to political, religious, or nonprofit canvassing which are First Amendment protected.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code §5-4 requires fully-shielded (full-cutoff) outdoor lighting for new installations. Aurora UDO §146-4 and Centennial §12-11 require similar. Cherry Hills Village has particularly strict dark-sky rules to preserve rural character. LED color temperature 3000K or below preferred. DIA affects nearby lighting.
Unincorporated Arapahoe County's Land Development Code Section 4-400 regulates exterior lighting. Fixtures must be fully shielded and directed downward, with illumination levels limited at the property line to prevent light trespass onto adjacent residential properties.
Arapahoe County recycling follows Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program (HB 22-1355, effective 2026). Aurora and Centennial residents receive curbside single-stream recycling. Accepted: paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastics #1-#2 (some haulers #5). Multi-family requirements expanding.
Arapahoe County cities require bins curbside on collection day with lids closed, 3+ feet apart, and retrieved within 12-24 hours. Aurora City Code §138-73 and Centennial Municipal Code §7-8 specify bin storage out of public view between pickups. HOAs may impose stricter rules.
Arapahoe County bulk disposal varies by hauler. Aurora residents get two free bulk pickups per year through licensed haulers. Centennial offers scheduled bulk service via Waste Management. The Arapahoe County Fairgrounds hosts Tox-Away Days for HHW. Construction debris excluded.
Arapahoe County trash collection is not a county service in unincorporated areas—residents contract directly with private haulers (Waste Management, Republic Services, GFL, A-1 Organics). Aurora operates through competitive private contracts. Centennial uses PAYT-style tiered bins.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code Section 5-2300 allows temporary garage sale signs on private property without a permit. Signs are limited to 4 sq ft and 3 days. Placement in the public right-of-way, utility poles, or traffic signs is prohibited and subject to immediate removal.
Arapahoe County does not regulate residential holiday decorations through its sign or zoning code. Displays must not obstruct sight-distance triangles or public right-of-way, create fire hazards, or violate outdoor lighting rules. HOA covenants often add their own timing and placement rules.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code Section 5-2300 treats political signs as temporary signs. Signs are allowed on private residential property without a permit up to 32 sq ft total, must not be placed in the right-of-way, and must be removed within 7 days after the election.
Arapahoe County recreational drone use follows FAA regulations under 49 USC §44809. Drones over 0.55 lbs require FAA registration. DIA proximity creates significant restricted airspace across northern Arapahoe County. Cherry Creek State Park prohibits drone launches. TRUST test mandatory.
Commercial drone operators in Arapahoe County must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. DIA, Centennial Airport, and Buckley SFB create complex controlled airspace requiring LAANC. Aurora and Centennial may require business licenses for commercial UAS services. Remote ID mandatory.
Arapahoe County cities restrict food trucks to approved vending zones with distance rules from restaurants, schools, and intersections. Aurora City Code §94-86 limits stays to 4 hours per location. Private property requires owner consent and sometimes zoning approval. Downtown Littleton and Olde Town Centennial have designated areas.
Arapahoe County food trucks require a Tri-County Health Department mobile retail food permit plus city-specific vendor license (Aurora, Centennial, Littleton, Englewood). Annual health inspection, commissary agreement, and liability insurance required. Colorado Retail Food Rules 6 CCR 1010-2 apply.
Aurora enforces a juvenile curfew under City Code §94-326 for minors under 18: 11 PM-5 AM Sun-Thu, midnight-5 AM Fri-Sat. Parents liable for violations. Exceptions: work, school events, emergencies, accompanied by adult. Centennial and Littleton have similar curfews. Unincorporated Arapahoe County has no specific curfew.
Arapahoe County Open Space parks close at sunset unless otherwise posted. Cherry Creek State Park closes at 10 PM or posted hours. Aurora parks close 11 PM to 5 AM. Centennial parks close dusk to 5 AM. After-hours presence is trespassing enforceable by the Arapahoe County Sheriff or city police.
Unincorporated Arapahoe County does not require rental property registration or licensing for long-term rentals. Colorado state habitability and warranty statutes apply. Arapahoe County has a proposed short-term rental licensing program separately.
Colorado HB 24-1098 established statewide just-cause eviction protections for most residential tenants. Arapahoe County follows state law: landlords need a statutory reason to terminate tenancy or refuse lease renewal. Self-help eviction is prohibited.
Arapahoe County cannot enact rent control. Colorado Revised Statute 38-12-301 preempts local rent control ordinances on both private residential property and mobile home lots. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper notice.
Arapahoe County Building Division requires combination building and electrical permits for residential solar PV installations. The county participates in the SolarAPP+ instant permit program for qualifying rooftop systems, often returning permits within one business day.
Colorado CRS 38-30-168 and HB 23-1233 protect homeowners' rights to install solar panels. HOAs in Arapahoe County cannot prohibit rooftop solar and must approve reasonable installations. Restrictions that significantly increase cost or reduce output are unenforceable.
Colorado allows local governments to adopt minimum wages above the state rate under CRS 8-6-101, with statewide minimums adjusted annually for inflation.
Colorado requires paid sick leave under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act and offers paid family medical leave through the FAMLI program funded by payroll premiums.
Colorado has no statewide predictive scheduling law but permits local governments to adopt fair workweek and advance notice scheduling ordinances for employers.
Colorado requires a concealed handgun permit issued by the county sheriff to carry a concealed firearm in public, with training and background check requirements.
Colorado repealed firearms preemption in 2021, allowing cities and counties to enact local gun regulations stricter than state law in most circumstances.
Colorado generally permits open carry of firearms by adults without a license, though local jurisdictions may impose restrictions in specific areas after the 2021 preemption repeal.
Colorado allows adults legally able to possess a firearm to carry a handgun in a private vehicle for lawful protection without a permit under CRS 18-12-105.5.
Colorado does not require private employers to use E-Verify and repealed the prior employment eligibility affirmation form in 2016 under HB 16-1114.
Colorado law limits state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement under HB 19-1124, restricting ICE detainers, courthouse arrests, and information sharing statewide.
Colorado counties zone agricultural lands under state planning laws while preserving farm operations through Right to Farm protections and local agricultural overlays.
Colorado's Right to Farm Act under CRS 35-3.5-102 shields agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when they follow generally accepted practices and predate complaints.
Colorado banned single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam containers statewide under the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, fully effective in 2024.
Colorado prohibits retail food establishments from using expanded polystyrene foam containers for ready-to-eat food and beverages under the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act.
Colorado does not ban plastic straws statewide, but allows cities to restrict distribution and many require straws only upon customer request.
Colorado prohibits the sale and furnishing of cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine vapor products to anyone under age 21 statewide under CRS 18-13-121.
Colorado does not impose a statewide flavored tobacco ban, but home rule cities and counties may prohibit flavored vape and tobacco product sales locally.
Colorado requires retailers selling cigarettes, vapor products, and other tobacco items to obtain a state retail tobacco license and follow strict point-of-sale rules.