Adams County, CO Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine
- $100 civil infraction per violation
- Applies to
- all county parks, trails, open space
- Enforced by
- Sheriff's deputies & Park Rangers
- Adopted
- Resolution 2022-649, Dec. 6, 2022
- Minors
- no marijuana or alcohol at all
Summary
Adams County bans consuming marijuana or marijuana by-product in any public place within its parks, trails, and open-space areas countywide, including Riverdale Regional Park, no matter the user's age. Anyone under 21 may not even possess alcohol or marijuana on county park land. Sheriff's deputies and Park Rangers enforce the ban under Resolution 2022-649, and a citation carries a $100 civil infraction fine.
Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted within Adams County parks, trails, and open space areas in compliance with Park Rules & Regulations and Colorado State Law. (a) No person under twenty-one (21) years of age shall possess or consume an alcoholic beverage or marijuana or marijuana by-product in any Adams County park, trail, or open space area. (b) No persons shall consume marijuana in a public place in any Adams County park, trail, or open space areas.
Full Breakdown
§§ 18-9-117 and 29-7-101(2), governs alcohol and controlled substances on every Adams County park, trail, and open-space area. Alcohol possession and consumption is allowed there in compliance with the Park Rules and Colorado state law, but Rule 11(b) flatly forbids consuming marijuana in a public place anywhere in the county park system, regardless of the user's age or whether a medical card is involved. Rule 11(a) separately bars anyone under 21 from possessing or consuming alcohol, marijuana, or marijuana by-product on county park land at all, closing off any argument that a minor could be present while someone else consumes.
§ 18-9-117, so a park citation can be paired with a state charge. Cases proceed in Adams County Court, which also handles the civil infraction docket for park-rule violations generally.
Violations & Fines
Violating Rule 11(b) (or 11(a) for a minor) is a civil infraction under C.R.S. § 29-7-101(2) and § 16-2.3-102(1)(a), carrying a $100 fine per violation plus court costs and surcharges payable to the Clerk of Adams County Court. A Park Ranger or deputy may also eject the violator immediately under Article IV.6, independent of the fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults consume marijuana in an Adams County park?
What is the penalty for smoking marijuana in a county park?
Are minors allowed to have alcohol or marijuana on county park land?
Who enforces this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Adams County
Compare Adams County to another location·View the Colorado public conduct overview
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