Decades ago, smoking seemed ubiquitous. Cigarettes were in movies, restaurants, and the home. As evidence mounted that smoking tobacco causes cancer and a host of other maladies, laws were passed to remove smoking from concentrated and indoor facilities. Eventually private businesses could no longer permit smoking within their establishments. But smokers generally believe they can enjoy a smoke outdoors. In Boulder, Colorado, smoking is illegal in more places than you may realize.
What is Smoking?
Boulder Municipal Code Title 6 Chapter 4 defines smoking broadly as anything that produces smoke through combustion, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, and hookahs.
What About E-Cigarettes?
The Boulder Municipal Code defines an “electronic smoking device” as “an electric or battery-operated device, the use of which resembles conventional smoking, which can be used to deliver substances, including . . . nicotine, tobacco, or marijuana, to the person using such device.” The Code goes on to specifically include e-cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, and hookahs. A special exception is granted for products approved by the Food and Drug Administration used as directed.
What About Marijuana?
The Code broadly speaks of smoking using any device, “regardless of its composition.” Thus, smoking marijuana falls under the exact same anti-smoking laws as tobacco smoking.
Where is Smoking Prohibited?
Anywhere inside, except for a dwelling, hotel room designated for smoking, tobacco bars, or buildings owned by the state or federal government which could supersede the city ordinance. (Good luck finding a state or federal building that allows smoking, though.)
Smoking is also prohibited outside in the following places:
- downtown, namely the “Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District” (the entire downtown mall and the area all around it—see map)
Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District
- outside at a restaurant where any food or drink is served
- any park or open space
- any trail, including within 25 feet of either side
- within 25 feet of a library
- within 25 feet of a transit stop (such as a bus stop or train stop)
- within the “City Municipal Campus” (between 9th and 13th streets and Arapahoe to Canyon)
- within the High School Area (between Broadway and 17th streets and Arapahoe and University Ave.)
- inside buses or taxis
Consequences and Solutions
Known as a health city, it’s no surprise Boulder has such strict anti-smoking laws. Be careful to avoid smoking outdoors, especially in places you may not realize are no-smoking zones, like downtown, outdoors at a restaurant, or in any open space or hiking trail. Want to take in the sunrise on a local hike in a higher state of mind? You’ll have to resort to edibles instead.
