Thornton, CO Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

Section 46-44(d) of the Thornton City Code groups skateboards and electric skateboards with bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, roller skates, and roller blades under the umbrella term "means of wheeled propulsion," and applies one set of rules to all of them in city parks, open spaces, trails, and recreational facilities. Riders must obey the same traffic signs and vehicle-operation laws that govern stopping and parking, and, per the cross-reference to Section 38-492, must follow the bicycle rules for approaching intersections. The section imposes specific yielding duties: skateboarders must yield to pedestrians at all times, must yield to uphill trail or sidewalk users when riding downhill, and when passing another trail or sidewalk user from behind within six feet, must use an audible warning, announce their presence, and slow to a reasonable speed.

Riders must remain under control at all times and be considerate of other park users. The section then draws a hard location line: except for city-authorized personnel, skateboards and every other listed wheeled device are flatly prohibited on playgrounds, tennis courts, other specially coated game courts, inside pavilions, and in any area where other organized activities are underway. A related provision, Section 46-45(f), separately bars any means of wheeled propulsion described in 46-44(d), including skateboards, from synthetic turf athletic fields along with food, glass containers, metal cleats, and animals.

Both provisions sit in Article II of Chapter 46, the parks and recreation chapter, and trace to Code 1975, Section 32-3(d) and (e), most recently amended by Ordinance No. 3724 on February 12, 2025.