Westminster, CO Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Public place ban
- No open containers in any public place
- Vehicle coverage
- Passenger areas of vehicles on public roads included
- Private property
- Allowed with owner's consent
- Permitted events
- Special event or parks dept permit exempt
- Penalty class
- Criminal offense, not civil infraction
- Maximum penalty
- $2,650.00 fine and/or 364 days jail
Summary
Drinking or carrying an open alcoholic beverage container in any public place in Westminster is a criminal offense under Section 6-9-3, punishable by fine or jail under Section 1-8-1. The ban extends to vehicle passenger areas on public roads, with narrow carve-outs for permitted events, parks department permits, and private property use with the owner's consent.
(A)It shall be unlawful for any person to drink, possess or have under his control, any alcoholic beverage in an open alcoholic beverage container in any public place within the City's jurisdiction... (C)Nothing in this section shall prohibit drinking or having open containers of alcoholic beverages:(1)In public areas where authorized by a properly issued special event permit.(2)Pursuant to a permit issued by the department of parks, recreation and libraries.(3)On private property authorized by the owner of such property or the guests of such owner.(D)Except as otherwise permitted in paragraph (2) of subsection (B), above, drinking alcoholic beverages in any motor vehicle is hereby prohibited.(E)A violation of this section is a criminal offense, punishable by a fine or imprisonment or both, as provided in Section 1-8-1, W.M.C.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-9-3(A) makes it unlawful to drink, possess or control an open alcoholic beverage container in any public place within City jurisdiction. Subsection (B) extends the ban to the passenger area of any motor vehicle on a public highway or right-of-way, prohibiting both drinking and possessing an open container there, though it exempts paid-transport passenger vehicles (like limousines), passengers other than the driver or front-seat rider in the living quarters of a house coach, house trailer, motor home or trailer coach, and areas behind the last upright seat or not normally occupied by driver or passenger in vehicles lacking a trunk.
Subsection (C) carves out public areas covered by a special event permit, activities under a Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department permit, and private property where the owner or the owner's guests are present. Subsection (D) separately prohibits drinking alcohol in any motor vehicle at all, except for the paragraph (2) exceptions listed above. 00, imprisonment of up to 364 days, or both, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
A Section 6-9-3 violation is charged as a criminal offense, not a civil infraction, exposing a violator to a fine of up to $2,650.00, imprisonment of up to 364 days, or both under Section 1-8-1, W.M.C. Each day the violation continues can be treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink alcohol on a Westminster sidewalk?
Can a passenger drink in a car in Westminster?
Is drinking allowed on private property?
What's the penalty for an open container violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westminster
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Public Alcohol Use in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Adams County handle public alcohol use.