Disturbing the peace.
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 38-89
in effectSec. 38-89. - Disturbing the peace.
(a) It shall be unlawful for a person to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
(1) Make a coarse and obviously offensive utterance, gesture, or display in a public place and the utterance, gesture, or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace; or
(2) Make unreasonable noise in a public place or near a private residence that such person has no right to occupy.
(b) Sound-amplifying equipment. No person shall use or operate or allow to be used or operated any loudspeaker, public address system, radio, tape player, disc player or other sound-amplifying equipment in or on a motor vehicle in such a manner as to be plainly audible at twenty-five (25) feet from the motor vehicle unless a permit has been issued by the manager of licensing and consumer protection pursuant to subsection (e) herein which allows such amplification. If such a permit has been issued, the intensity and loudness of any amplified sound which is transmitted shall comply with the provisions of chapter 36.
(c) Exception. The provisions of subsection (b) above shall not apply to sound made or controlled by the city, the federal government or to any branch, subdivision, institution or agency of the government of this state or any political subdivision within it or when such sound is made by an activity of the governmental body or sponsored by it or by others pursuant to the terms of a contract, lease or permit granted by such governmental body.
(d) Definition. For the purposes of this section, plainly audible means that the information content of sound is unambiguously transferred to the auditor, such as but not limited to understanding of spoken speech, comprehension of raised or normal voices or comprehension of musical rhythms.
(e) Permit. Any person, partnership, association or corporation desiring to use or operate any loudspeaker, public address system or other sound-amplifying equipment in or from a motor vehicle for either commercial or noncommercial purposes which is plainly audible at twenty-five (25) feet must first obtain a permit from the manager of licensing and consumer protection. The permit may authorize the use or operation of such sound-amplifying equipment between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for one (1) day. The application for the permit shall be filed with the manager of licensing and consumer protection and shall provide the following information:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of both the owner and the user of the sound-amplifying equipment;
(2) The license number of the motor vehicle which is to be used;
(3) The general description of the sound-amplifying equipment which is to be used;
(4) Whether the sound-amplifying equipment will be used for commercial or noncommercial purposes; and
(5) The date upon which and the streets over which the equipment is proposed to be operated.
(f) Violation of this section is a class 4 offense.
(Code 1950, § 842.2; Ord. No. 716-90, § 1, 11-19-90; Ord. No. 353-98, § 1, 5-26-98; Ord. No. 63-05, § 1, 1-31-05; Ord. No. 1493-21, § 6, 1-3-22; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 22, 7-28-25; Ord. No. 328-26, § 17, 6-29-26)
Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH38OFMIPR_ARTIVOFAGPUORSA_DIV1GE_S38-89DIPEFetched: 10/27/2026