Arvada West

Teens: Arvada Has A Curfew Ordinance

Many Arvada teens and their parents are not aware that the City of Arvada has a juvenile curfew ordinance. With the weather warming up and the school year winding down, young people and their parents are reminded that Arvada, as well as most cities in the metropolitan Denver area, have juvenile curfew laws. The Arvada ordinance prohibits any minor from loitering in public places between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. If the minor is under 14, the curfew is from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. every day of the week.

Some activities do not violate the ordinance. When the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult over 21 years of age who has lawful care and custody of the minor, or when the minor is on an emergency errand for a parent, the minor may lawfully be out during the curfew hours. Also, when the minor is going to or returning directly home from a school activity, entertainment, recreational activity, or dance, or when returning directly home from lawful employment, the minor may be in public places during the curfew hours. For example, high school proms are school activities and minors may attend the dance and after-prom school functions without violating the ordinance. Likewise, a minor who works at his place of employment until after the curfew time may drive directly home. He or she may not stop at a restaurant, parking lot, or other public place to converse with friends.

Minors convicted of violation of the curfew ordinance may be fined up to $999, and parents who permit or allow a minor to violate the curfew ordinance may upon conviction be fined up to $999.