Thank you for participating in the Party Registration program! We hope that you have a fun and safe party. Find important tips for hosting a responsible party below. These tips are not exhaustive; always remember that when hosting a gathering you are assuming responsibility for any issues that may take place. Please refer back to the Party Registration Program document for program rules.

Please remember to share this information with anyone involved in hosting the party!

Preparation

• Register your party! Registering your party can help you avoid a possible noise citation of $1,000+.
   
• Discuss party expectations with your roommates before you host a gathering. Things to consider include date, timeframe, house rules, number of people, what you will provide guests (consider food), who will be the sober host, who will chat with the neighbors, clean up, etc.
   
• Notify your neighbors in advance and provide them with your name or the sober host’s and contact information – the phone number you will be checking throughout the party.
• Your actions have impact; make it a positive one. Be a good neighbor both on and off campus. If you are a CSU student, you may be held accountable for your behaviors off campus through the Student Conduct Code.
• Designate a sober host to monitor and control noise and access to the party, outside disturbances, and to address any interactions with the neighbors or police.
• Think before you post! Posting your get-together using social media can spread the word of your party further than you might anticipate. Remember, as a party host you are responsible for what happens at and as a result of your party, including the actions of others.

During Your Party

• Good Samaritan Law: The 911 Good Samaritan Law states that a person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when the person reports, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose to a law enforcement officer, to the 911 system, or to a medical provider. This same immunity applies to the person experiencing the overdose and the person(s) reporting it. Additionally, CSU has adopted a Responsible Action Exemption policy for students seeking medical assistance for themselves or others for emergency situations that result from alcohol and other drug use.
• Be aware of impacts to neighbors. The three biggest party complaints from neighbors are:
  • Noise: Particularly noise from people standing in front and backyards and coming/going to the party. Consider how many people you can reasonably fit in your residence to control noise.
  • Parking: Tell your guests to park legally, including not obstructing driveways, sidewalks, or fire hydrants.
  • Trash: Respect your neighborhood by keeping it clean; pick up all trash related to your party.

Safety & Support

• Get home safe: There are multiple options to help your guests get home safely:
  • RamRide will take you anywhere around town Friday and Saturday nights, 10:00 pm-2:30 am; download the RamRide app.
  • CSU’s Safe Walk program provides a free foot escort every night anywhere on campus within a 3-block radius of campus property
  • If you are leaving Old Town, the Safe Choice program allows you to park your car overnight for free. Find more information at: https://www.fcgov.com/parking/safechoice.
• Get support: If you are concerned about safety or mental health – yours or someone else’s, call (970)491-1350 or submit a referral form at tellsomeone.colostate.edu. Crisis resources are also available to all members of the community through Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-8255 or texting “TALK” to 38255. Dial 988 anytime to access the National Suicide Prevention Line. Remember consent is enthusiastic, sober, and reversible. Any concerns for safety or to report sexual violence please contact 9-1-1. Sexual assault can happen to anyone anywhere, including at parties. To support survivors of interpersonal violence call (970)492-4242 anytime (24/7/365) or visit safecenter.colostate.edu.
• If you choose to use substances: Know what is in them. It is not uncommon for drugs to be cut/laced with Fentanyl. To learn more about individual risk factors and how to recognize an overdose, visit: https://health.colostate.edu/fentanyl-information-and-safety-tips/. Consider carrying Narcan in case of an accidental overdose or have on hand at your party. Fentanyl testing strips and Narcan are located at the Health and Medical Center third-floor Health Education and Prevention Services office and Mental Health Services waiting area Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. -5 p.m. You can also request at: https://health.colostate.edu/narcan-and-fentanyl-test-strips-request/
• Firearms: The presence of firearms at a gathering always poses a risk of injury or death. If firearms are located on the property for the gathering, ensure that they are properly secured prior to the arrival of guests. Remind guests that Colorado Law prohibits negligent discharge of a firearm. Damage does not have to occur for someone to be convicted of illegally discharging a firearm. For more information, contact Fort Collins Police Services at (970)419-3273.

Legal Considerations

• Unreasonable Noise/Nuisance Gathering…Know the Difference: The Party Registration program only provides a potential warning for unreasonable noise. The Unreasonable Noise Ordinance is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a combination of time of day, day of week, type, and level of noise that determines if it’s too loud. Violating the Noise Ordinance can result in a $1,000+ fine and potential follow-up from the Student Resolution Center.
  • The Nuisance Gathering Ordinance deals with impacts on neighboring properties resulting from social gatherings. Examples of these impacts could include trash and litter, public urination, and vandalism. The party host can receive a $1,000+ fine and potential follow-up from the Student Resolution Center. If abatement is required as a result of a nuisance gathering (such as cleaning up trash in the neighborhood, repairing street signs, etc.) the abatement cost could be charged to the person(s) responsible for the gathering.
• It is illegal to provide alcohol or marijuana to minors: If the guest is over 18 but under 21, the crime is a misdemeanor with possible jail time and fines. If the guest is under age 18, it's worse: the crime is a felony with possible longer jail times and higher fines. Fort Collins’ Social Host Ordinance also holds hosts liable if underage consumption occurs at a gathering, even if the host did not provide it. If you’re in doubt of someone’s age, protect yourself and don’t serve.
• It is illegal to:
  • Consume alcohol or marijuana in public.
  • Sell or transfer alcohol or marijuana to persons under the age of 21.
  • Drive under the influence.
  • The use and possession of marijuana, including medical marijuana, is prohibited on all CSU property, regardless of your age.

Additional Tips

• Be proactive by asking for help. If you’re uncomfortable with the size of your party, people will not leave when asked, or if people are acting in a threatening manner, please do not hesitate to call Fort Collins Police Services at 970-419-FCPD (3273) and ask for assistance in breaking up your party before things get out of control.
• Be cooperative towards neighbors, police, and others who come to discuss issues, as the situation or citation could get worse. If police determine the party needs to shut down, all guests need to leave.
• Back Yard Fire Pit Ordinance: The City of Fort Collins recently adopted new rules regarding backyard wood burning fires within City limits: Outdoor wood fires must be at least 15 feet from a property line and are prohibited between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am. For more information regarding outdoor fires, please visit https://www.fcgov.com/woodsmoke.
• Engaging in a riot: State Riot Laws provide that anyone convicted of a rioting offense cannot attend any state-funded institution for one year. A “riot” is a public disturbance involving only three or more people that causes property damage, creates a danger of injury, or obstructs performance of any governmental function. Engaging in a riot, or even just being a bystander and watching it, can result in negative consequences. Note to CSU students: tuition is NOT refunded.
• If you see something, say something: Feel empowered to take responsibility for your community’s safety. If you see something that looks dangerous or recognize that someone may be hurt or unwell, you are legally obligated to meet the definition of Standard of Care: “The watchfulness, attention, caution and prudence that a reasonable person in the circumstances would exercise." Rams take care of Rams, if you can help, do so.

Game Day Tips

On days when Colorado State Football plays a home game at Canvas Stadium, we also encourage you to review the following tips:

• Parking on yards: While parking on yards is always against city code in Fort Collins, on game days a property owner can receive a citation for parking on yards 4 hours before and during games, rather than a notice of violation.
• Residential Parking Permit Program: Fort Collins has a robust Residential Parking Permit Program (RP3) specific to CSU Stadium Events, including CSU football games. Parking Enforcement Officers proactively monitor from four (4) hours before the event (kick-off) through the duration of the event. Only those vehicles with the appropriate Stadium Event RP3 parking permit or guest permit may park in those designated RP3 zones during these specific times.
• Pedestrian traffic: Encourage your guests to use appropriate crosswalks and sidewalks when traveling to and from your party. There will already be extra foot traffic in the neighborhoods near campus, which may block traffic. Ensure your guests stay safe!
• Open container: Even if you are over 21, possessing an open container of alcohol in public is a violation of the law and the CSU Student Conduct Code. Keep your drinks at your party.
• Marijuana: Possessing and/or using marijuana is prohibited on campus, including at the stadium. It is also illegal to consume marijuana in public.
• Keep your doors and windows closed: If possible, keep your gathering indoors or at a reasonable volume. The Noise Ordinance is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Noise from a backyard or through open windows and doors can travel far. Be a considerate neighbor!
• Nuisance Gathering: There may be more registered parties on gamedays. Remember that you are responsible for issues that occur on your property AND neighborhood impacts from the guests of your party. Clean up trash from your party and encourage guests to leave their drinks behind.
• Your actions have an impact: Represent the Rams proudly wherever you are! Be a good neighbor both on and off campus. Your actions impact CSU and the Fort Collins Community, so make it a positive one. As a CSU student, you may be held accountable for your behaviors off campus through the Student Conduct Code.
• Safety: Expect extra people in the neighborhoods. Be sure to lock your doors and keep your belongings safe.
• Avoid “randos”: Make a guest list, think before you post on social media, lock your doors, address unwanted guests with your roommates, and politely ask them to leave. If needed, call police dispatch at 970-419-FCPD (3273) for assistance.