Boulder County, CO Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Who authorizes markings
- County Engineer only
- Private curb painting
- Not an official restriction
- Unauthorized signs
- Removed without notice
- Obey control devices
- Even if very restrictive
- Violation penalty
- $15 / $30 / $60
Summary
Boulder County controls parking through official signs, painted areas, and other parking control devices. Only the County Engineer may authorize their placement, and you must obey them even where more restrictive than a posted sign implies.
"Parking Control Device" means any sign, standard, signal, painted area, marking, inscription, designation, or other device placed or displayed by Boulder County or other public official or body with authority over any Street, drive, way, or parking area for the purpose of regulating, restricting, or prohibiting the parking of Vehicles.
Full Breakdown
Ordinance 2024-1 defines a Parking Control Device as any sign, painted area, marking, or designation placed by the county to regulate or prohibit parking, and a Traffic Control Device likewise for markings placed by the County Engineer. Painting or placing your own curb markings or unauthorized signs is barred: the County Engineer and Road Supervisor may remove unauthorized signs, signals, or markings without notice. Residents cannot self-designate 'no parking' by painting a curb; that authority rests with the county. Violating any lawful painted or posted control device is a citable parking infraction.
Violations & Fines
Parking against a control device is a $15/$30/$60 civil infraction; unauthorized private signs or curb markings may be removed by the county without notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I paint the curb red in front of my house to stop parking?
Do I have to obey a painted no-parking area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado parking rules overview
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