What’s Included in the Law?
Beginning July 1, 2006, smoking will no longer be allowed in most indoor public places including (but not limited to):
Restaurants, bars, gaming facilities such as bingo halls, billiard or pool halls, bowling alleys, public buildings, grocery stores or any food service establishment
Theaters, museums, libraries, schools, educational institutions, and common areas of retirement facilities, publicly-owned housing facilities and nursing homes
Lobbies, elevators, restrooms, reception areas, hallways and any other common-use areas in public and private buildings, condominiums and other multiple-unit residential facilities
Indoor sports arenas, gymnasiums and auditoriums
Heath care facilities, hospitals, health care clinics, doctor’s offices and child day care facilities
Common areas in hotels and motels, and no less than 75 percent of hotel or motel sleeping quarters rented to guests
Jury waiting and deliberation rooms, courtrooms and public meetings
Government-owned mass transportation of any kind, taxi cabs and limousines not under private hire
Any place of employment not exempted
In addition, smoking is not allowed within 15 feet of an establishment or business main entryway unless defined differently by a local law.
What’s Exempt from the Law?
Of course there are exceptions to every rule. Smoking will be permitted in the following locations:
Private homes, residences and automobiles unless they are being used for child day care or day care
Limousines under private hire
Up to 25 percent of rented hotel or motel rooms
Retail tobacco businesses
An establishment that met the definition of a “cigar-tobacco bar” as of December 31, 2025
The outdoor area of any business as long as it is beyond the 15 foot radius around the main entryway
The retail floor plan of casinos
The airport smoking lounges at Denver International Airport
Employers with three or fewer employees/volunteers who do not allow access to the public
A private, non-residential building on a farm or ranch that has an annual gross income of less than $500,000
To view the full law or download a PDF, click here.
