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Colorado Statute Blocks Vehicles from Obstructing Private Driveways

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  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/0 .. vehicles-from-obstructing-private-driveways.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 8:03 GMT by Fort Collins Coloradoan

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Summary of “Is parking in front of strangers’ houses illegal in Colorado?”

The Coloradoan’s article tackles a question that plagues many Colorado residents: can a driver park in front of someone else’s home, and if so, what legal ramifications does that decision carry? The piece opens with a common scenario—neighbors arriving in a rental car, parking in the driveway of a private residence that is not their own. The writer explains that while most people treat this as a mere inconvenience, Colorado’s statutes and local ordinances treat it as a potentially illegal act, especially when it blocks access to a private driveway.

Colorado Revised Statutes: The Legal Backbone

At the heart of the discussion is Colorado Revised Statutes §12‑19‑130, which prohibits the obstruction of a private right of access. The statute reads: “No person shall, with a vehicle, obstruct a private right of access to any property, unless the person has the permission of the owner or is otherwise authorized by law.” The article highlights that this law applies regardless of the relationship between the parker and the homeowner; a stranger’s vehicle that physically blocks a driveway can be considered a violation.

The author explains that the law is meant to protect homeowners’ rights to enter and exit their property without interference. While it does not outright forbid parking in front of a stranger’s house on a public street, it does forbid blocking a private entrance or driveway. The article cites examples of what is deemed a “blocking” situation: a car parked so tightly that a homeowner cannot swing the garage door, or a vehicle that sits on a private driveway without permission.

Local Ordinances: Variation Across the State

While the state statute provides a baseline, the article points out that municipalities and counties often have their own rules that tighten restrictions. Denver’s Municipal Code, for instance, has a clause that makes it illegal to park on a private driveway or any curb that is adjacent to a private residence if the vehicle prevents access. In Boulder, the city’s code prohibits parking in front of a residential driveway unless the driver has a valid permit or the property owner has granted permission. Colorado Springs has a “No Parking” ordinance that specifically addresses parking in front of any private driveway on its streets, and Larimer County’s regulations prohibit vehicles from obstructing private entrances.

The article uses these local examples to illustrate that homeowners should check their city’s or county’s codes before assuming that parking in front of a stranger’s house is automatically illegal. The writer notes that some jurisdictions treat “blocking a private right of access” as a “public nuisance,” which can carry higher penalties and faster enforcement.

Enforcement: Who Takes Action and How?

The Coloradoan clarifies that enforcement depends largely on the nature of the obstruction. If a vehicle is blocking a driveway, the property owner can call local police, who will typically issue a citation for illegal parking or “obstructing a private right of access.” In many cases, the police will simply ticket the vehicle and remove it if it remains parked in the same location. The article emphasizes that while the law is clear, enforcement is often reactive rather than proactive: police are more likely to respond when a homeowner complains, rather than routinely checking every street for illegal parking.

The article includes a short interview with a local law enforcement officer who explains that the officer’s job is to ensure that roads remain passable and that no vehicle is permanently blocking an entrance. The officer notes that the penalties can be significant—fines of up to $500 are not uncommon—and that repeated violations can lead to increased scrutiny, including the potential for vehicle impoundment.

Penalties and Consequences

In addition to fines, the article outlines a few other possible outcomes for illegal parking in front of a stranger’s house. For example, a repeated violator could receive a citation that carries a points penalty on their driver’s license. The property owner might also seek a civil injunction if the parking continues despite repeated complaints. In extreme cases—particularly if the illegal parking leads to damage or property loss—homeowners might pursue a lawsuit for damages.

The article underscores that the most common penalty is a ticket, which carries a fine of $100–$250 in most jurisdictions. However, if the vehicle is considered to be obstructing a private entrance in a way that prevents the homeowner from safely entering, the police may be more aggressive, sometimes towing the vehicle. The article cites a case from Denver where a driver was towed for blocking a homeowner’s driveway for over 24 hours.

Practical Advice for Residents

To close, the Coloradoan offers practical tips for both homeowners and drivers. Homeowners should:

1. Mark their property clearly with a “No Parking” or “No Blocking” sign.
2. Check local ordinances to confirm the specific rules that apply to their street or neighborhood.
3. Keep records of any complaints and correspondence with law enforcement in case a dispute escalates.

Drivers should:

1. Avoid parking on private driveways unless explicitly permitted.
2. Use designated public parking even if it means a short walk or two blocks away.
3. If parking on a public street, check the curb markings—in many Colorado cities, the right side of the curb is reserved for parking, but the left side is reserved for loading/unloading or for those with a permit.

The article concludes that while the Colorado statute is relatively straightforward, local variations mean that what’s legal in one city may be illegal in another. The key takeaway is that homeowners have a private right of access that is protected by law, and drivers must respect that right—or face potential fines and towing.