Lakewood, CO Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Presumed abandoned
- 24 hours unattended
- State standard cited
- C.R.S. § 42-4-1202
- Offense class
- Class 4 traffic offense
- Enforced by
- Lakewood Police Department
- Remedy
- Tow to impound lot
Summary
Any vehicle left unattended on a Lakewood roadway or right-of-way for 24 hours or more is presumed abandoned, and Lakewood Police may have it towed to an impound lot.
No person shall abandon a vehicle upon a roadway or the right-of-way. Any vehicle left unattended within any portion of a roadway or the right-of-way for a period of 24 hours or more shall be presumed abandoned under the conditions prescribed by Section 42-4-1202, C.R.S., as amended. An agent of the Lakewood Police Department may require the towing of the vehicle to an impound lot.B.Any person who violates subsection (A) of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-2020-5 § 1(Exh. A), 2020; Ord. O-2019-24 § 4, 2019; Ord. O-97-62 § 17, 1997; Ord. O-94-34 § 9, 1994; Ord. O-84-60 § 3, 1984).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 14 | Zoning Ordinance: ?).
Full Breakdown
Section 10.33.080 of the Lakewood Municipal Code makes it unlawful to abandon a vehicle on a roadway or right-of-way. A vehicle left unattended within any portion of a roadway or right-of-way for 24 hours or more is presumed abandoned under the standard set by Section 42-4-1202, C.R.S. Once that presumption applies, an agent of the Lakewood Police Department may require the vehicle to be towed to an impound lot.
Violations & Fines
Abandoning a vehicle on a roadway or right-of-way is a Class 4 traffic offense, fined up to $200, plus towing and impound costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a car sit on the street before it's considered abandoned?
Who can order the vehicle towed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle abandoned vehicles.