Manitou Springs, CO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited act
- Obstructing sidewalks, streets, entrances
- Snow/ice rule
- Dumping on sidewalk presumed an obstruction
- Downtown exception
- Snow may go onto street per Exhibit A
- Officer orders
- Must obey order to clear passage
- Penalty section
- Manitou Springs Municipal Code § 1.01.100
Summary
It is unlawful in Manitou Springs to obstruct a sidewalk, street or other public passageway, including by disobeying a police or fire officer's order to clear the way. Municipal Code Section 12.32.010 bans blocking pedestrian and vehicle passage, and Section 12.32.020 folds snow and ice dumped on a sidewalk into the same prohibition.
It is unlawful for any person, individual or corporation within the city, without legal privilege, to: A.Obstruct a highway, street, sidewalk, waterway, railway, building entrance, elevator, aisle, stairway or hallway to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access; or any other place used for the passage of persons, vehicles or conveyances, whether the obstruction arises from his or her acts alone or from his or her acts and the acts of others; ... the word "obstruct" means to render any portion of the public passageways described in section 12.32.010 of this chapter impassable, to render passage thereon hazardous, or to otherwise impede or restrict the free passage of traffic thereon.
Full Breakdown
010(A)). 010(B)). 020 defines "obstruct" broadly: rendering a passageway impassable, making passage on it hazardous, or otherwise impeding or restricting free passage of traffic. The definition specifically reaches snow, ice or other material deposited on a sidewalk or street by shovel, plow, snow blower or otherwise, and creates a rebuttable presumption that such a deposit impedes passage. The code carves out one exception for the downtown area shown in the chapter's Exhibit A map: snow and ice may be pushed from sidewalks onto the street there, so long as handicap access is not blocked.
Given Manitou Springs' narrow canyon-town sidewalks and heavy pedestrian tourist traffic on Manitou Avenue, this obstruction rule reaches everything from parked sandwich boards to unshoveled snow. 100 of the code.
Violations & Fines
Obstructing a sidewalk, street or other public passageway covered by Section 12.32.010, or refusing to move when ordered by a police officer, firefighter or person in charge of the premises, is punishable under Section 1.01.100 of the Manitou Springs Municipal Code. Outside the downtown Exhibit A zone, shoveling or plowing snow and ice onto a sidewalk carries a rebuttable presumption that passage has been obstructed, exposing the responsible party to the same penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for shoveling snow from my sidewalk into the street?
What counts as an illegal sidewalk obstruction in Manitou Springs?
Do I have to obey a police officer telling me to move off a sidewalk?
What is the penalty for a sidewalk obstruction violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manitou Springs
Compare Manitou Springs to another location·View the Colorado sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Obstruction Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in El Paso County handle obstruction rules.