Thornton, CO Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 42-27(a) bars possessing an open container of, or consuming, any fermented malt or alcoholic beverage in public within Thornton, except as required by lawful employment, otherwise authorized by the article, or on premises licensed or permitted under the Colorado Alcohol Law. Subsection (c) defines an open container as anything opened so its contents can be removed, or on which the manufacturer's seal, cork, pull tab, or cap has been broken, even if later resealed. Subsection (d) defines in public expansively: any public highway, street, alley, walk, parking lot, building, park, or other city- or government-owned property, whether the person is in a vehicle or not, plus private property the public has an express or implied license to enter, even where entry violates a posted time or conduct restriction.

Subsection (a)(1) and (2) separately prohibit an open container in a vehicle's passenger area, with narrow exceptions for rear-seat passengers of limousines or motor homes and for storage behind the last upright seat in vehicles without a trunk. A limited carve-out in subsection (b) lets restaurants that serve meals let a customer reseal and take home one partially consumed bottle of vinous liquor purchased on-site, capped at 750 milliliters. The city manager can also issue written permits allowing alcohol at specific special events like street closures or civic functions, on 30-days' advance application, subject to food-service, security, and indemnification conditions in subsection (f).