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Boulder County, CO Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing rule
Rule 9(a), Vehicles
Electric/low-powered scooters
prohibited unless area designated
Exempted vehicles
county-owned, emergency (official business)
Parking window ban
sunset to sunrise, no permission
Standard fine
$100 penalty assessment
Rule 9(c) parking-specific fine
$50

Summary

Boulder County bars electric and low-powered scooters from all Parks & Open Space areas unless a specific area is designated and posted to allow them, under Rule 9(a) of its Rules and Regulations. Only county-owned and emergency vehicles on official business are exempted from that same rule.

City-specific rules exist: Boulder has its own shared e-scooter rules rules that differ from Boulder County's county-level regulations. If you live in Boulder, check the city-specific page instead.

9. Vehicles

(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, including a car, truck, motorcycle, minibike, electric scooter, low-powered scooter, electric assisted bicycle, electric assisted unicycle, electric assisted one-wheel, snowmobile, four-wheel drive or other recreational vehicle, within any Boulder County Parks & Open Space area, unless the area is specifically designated and posted to permit the operation of such vehicle in that area. Boulder County and emergency vehicles on official business are excepted from this rule.

(f) It shall be unlawful to park in a manner that impedes the safe flow of traffic.

Full Breakdown

Rule 9(a) of the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Rules and Regulations (Resolution No. 2023-024) prohibits operating a motor vehicle within any Parks & Open Space area unless the specific area is designated and posted to permit it, and the rule names 'electric scooter' and 'low-powered scooter' directly alongside cars, trucks, motorcycles, minibikes, electric-assisted bicycles, electric-assisted unicycles, electric-assisted one-wheels, snowmobiles, and four-wheel-drive or other recreational vehicles. The default posture is a countywide ban: a shared or personal scooter is prohibited on every Open Space trail and area unless that specific location has been posted to allow it, and the exception belongs to the posted area, not to the rider or scooter type.

The only riders excepted from Rule 9(a)'s ban outright are Boulder County vehicles and emergency vehicles on official business; Rule 9(b) separately protects individuals with mobility disabilities using wheelchairs or other power-driven mobility devices, a distinct carve-out. Related provisions in the same Rule 9 apply once a vehicle, including a scooter, is present in a designated area: subsection (c) requires parking in designated spots or in compliance with posted signs, subsection (d) bars any vehicle from being parked from sunset to sunrise without Director permission, and subsection (f) makes it unlawful to park in a way that impedes safe traffic flow.

Violations & Fines

Operating a scooter outside a designated area 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 apply the state Penalty Assessment Procedure under § 16-2-201, C.R.S.; the standard fine under Rule 32(c) is $100 for a regulation violation not otherwise scheduled, while Rule 9(c) parking violations carry a separate $50 assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ride a shared e-scooter on Boulder County Open Space trails?
Only in an area specifically designated and posted for it. Rule 9(a) names 'electric scooter' and 'low-powered scooter' directly among the motor vehicles prohibited on Parks & Open Space land by default, so a shared scooter needs a posted, designated area, not just general trail access.
Are there any exceptions to the scooter ban?
Rule 9(a) exempts only Boulder County vehicles and emergency vehicles on official business from the general ban. Rule 9(b) separately allows individuals with mobility disabilities to use wheelchairs and certain power-driven mobility devices, which is a distinct accommodation, not a general scooter exception.
What if I park a scooter in a no-parking zone on Open Space land?
Rule 9(c) requires vehicles, including scooters, to park in designated areas or per posted signs, and Rule 9(f) bars parking that impedes safe traffic flow. A parking violation under Rule 9(c) is separately fined at $50 under the Rule 32(c) schedule.
What's the penalty for riding a banned scooter on Open Space land?
It's a civil infraction under Rule 32. Enforcement can use the state Penalty Assessment Procedure (C.R.S. § 16-2-201), with a standard $100 fine for the underlying rule violation, separate from the $50 fine that applies specifically to a Rule 9(c) parking violation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Boulder County

All Boulder County rules

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