St. Patrick’s Day can be a time of festivities and celebration. Please take a moment to review some safety and enforcement tips.
- Both CU and Boulder Police plan to step up enforcement during this time. This involves the number of officers as well as the frequency of patrol. So be smart, whether you are on campus or in the city.
- One of the most common offenses over the St. Patrick's Day weekend is minor in possession of alcohol and/or marijuana. You must be 21 to possess or consume alcohol or recreational marijuana. Also, possession could mean that you have ingested the marijuana or alcohol.
- Be an effective bystander. If you witness someone who is in a potentially dangerous situation, call 911 for help. If needed, try to subtly remove that person from the situation.
- If you are of age and plan to drink, avoid mixing alcohol with other substances (like prescription drugs and marijuana) and drink plenty of water.
If you plan to host an off-campus party, please keep your community in mind and consider the following tips:
- Register your party with Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations by Thursday, March 16 at 5 p.m. in UMC 313. You can register Friday or Saturday evening parties and receive a 20-minute warning call from the Boulder Police Department dispatch if your unit receives a noise complaint and potentially avoid a nuisance ticket. For the week of March 17 only, students registering by 5 p.m. on Thursday will be eligible to receive a warning starting after 12 p.m. on Friday, March 17.
- Consider talking to your neighbors if you’re having a party and give them your phone number.
- Keep your guests inside the house. Any noise heard from 100 ft. away can result in an unreasonable noise ticket which can cost up to $1,000 per person on the lease. Noise travels easily, especially amplified music. If you decide to be outside, the backyard may be best for large groups and outside activities, but keep the speakers inside.
- Kegs and red cups often contribute to both the noise and trash-related impact of your gathering on your neighborhood area. Keep kegs and any alcoholic beverages inside the house and make sure your guests are of legal age, leave quietly and without open containers.
- Part of being a responsible host is cleaning up after yourself. Put cups or other disposable items in trash bags and proper trash or recycling receptacles. Do you need trash bags? Stop by the Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations office in UMC 313 to pickup free trash bags.
- Consider closing doors and windows to minimize noise disruption.
Looking for other ideas and tips on hosting a smart party? Check out our Party Smart Guide here.
