Fountain, CO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

160, adopted by Ord. No. 1324 in 2006, declares it 'unlawful for any person to place upon or construct upon any sidewalk, street, alley, or other public way or upon any natural watercourse or improved drainage way any encumbrance or obstruction,' naming earth fill, building materials, fences, platforms, stairs, railings and barricades as examples of what the code calls 'offending objects,' a list that is illustrative rather than exhaustive under the section's own 'such as, but not limited to' language. When the director of public works or city engineer identifies an offending object and can identify who placed or built it, that person gets written notice to remove it within a reasonable time and restore the public way to its former condition.

If the object is still there once the notice period runs out, the city removes and stores it, performs whatever correction work the public way needs, and charges the entire cost to the owner. 160(C) then gives the owner 30 days to reclaim the object and pay the removal and restoration costs; after 30 days, the object is presumed abandoned and the city manager can declare it city property to use or dispose of like any other city asset. 150 rather than as unlawful obstructions.