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Jefferson County, CO Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

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

Key Facts

Covered area
All county-owned buildings, lots, vehicles
DTUA distance from entrance
More than 25 feet
DTUAs per building
No more than one
Off-property employee buffer
25 feet from non-smokers
Adopting instrument
Resolution CC19-364, eff. 2/3/2020

Summary

Jefferson County bans smoking and tobacco or vapor use on all county-owned buildings, lots, parking areas, and vehicles, allowing it only in specially marked Designated Tobacco Use Areas at least 25 feet from any entrance under Resolution CC19-364.

City-specific rules exist: Lakewood, and Arvada have their own outdoor smoking restrictions rules that differ from Jefferson County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

C. Requirements and Prohibitions. 1. Smoking and using Tobacco Products is prohibited on County Property, except in Designated Tobacco Use Areas (DTUAs) and within enclosed private vehicles not owned or controlled by Jefferson County. 2. Employees, contractors/subcontractors, interns and volunteers conducting County business who work outdoors while not on County Property as defined in this policy shall not Smoke or use Tobacco Products within 25 feet of a non-smoker, while on duty, or in an area that is not on an asphalt or concrete surface which extends at least 10 feet in all directions. 3. Smoking and the use of Tobacco Products is prohibited at all times within all vehicles and equipment owned, leased or operated by Jefferson County. D. The County Manager or his/her designee may identify outdoor Designated Tobacco Use Areas (DTUAs) on properties owned, leased, or operated by Jefferson County. DTUAs must be more than 25 feet from any entry/exit or building vent, be open for adequate ventilation, be clearly marked, and include an approved cannister/ashtray. Each building may have no more than one DTUA.

Full Breakdown

Part 3, Ch. 2, Sec. 1 as any county-owned, leased, or operated building, lot, grounds, or parcel, improved or unimproved, including parking strips (but not county rights-of-way). The ban covers cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, and any Electronic Smoking Device such as vape pens and e-cigarettes, and applies to elected officials, employees, contractors, interns, and visitors alike under Section B. 3 extends the ban to all vehicles and equipment the county owns, leases, or operates, at all times, with no DTUA exception for vehicles. Section D lets the County Manager designate outdoor Designated Tobacco Use Areas, but each must sit more than 25 feet from any entry, exit, or building vent, be adequately ventilated, clearly marked, and equipped with an approved ashtray or cannister, and a single building may have no more than one DTUA. 2. §25-14-101 to -209.

Violations & Fines

Non-compliance is handled administratively rather than criminally: employee violations go to the supervisor or Human Resources under county Personnel Rules (E.1.a), contractor and volunteer violations go to the responsible project manager for corrective action (E.1.b), and visitors who continue smoking after being notified of the policy may be asked to leave county property (E.1.c).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke in a Jefferson County park or outside a county building?
Not unless you're in a marked Designated Tobacco Use Area. County Property, defined to include any county-owned building, lot, or grounds, is smoke- and vapor-free under Part 3, Ch. 2, Sec. 1, C.1 except in DTUAs sited more than 25 feet from any entrance.
Does the ban cover vaping and e-cigarettes, not just cigarettes?
Yes. Section A.4 defines Electronic Smoking Device broadly to include e-cigarettes, vape pens, e-hookahs, and similar products, and the C.1 prohibition applies equally to Smoking and any Electronic Smoking Device use on County Property.
What happens if a visitor is caught smoking on county property?
There's no fine specified; Section E.1.c says a visitor who continues smoking after being told about the policy may simply be asked to leave county property, while employee and contractor violations go through internal disciplinary or contract channels instead.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Jefferson County

All Jefferson County rules

Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Colorado public conduct overview

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Outdoor Smoking Restrictions in Cities Across Jefferson County