Hosting Social Gatherings

These tips for hosting social gatherings are not meant to be all-inclusive; always remember that when hosting a social gathering, you are assuming responsibility for any and all issues that may take place.

  • Discuss expectations with your roommates, including:
    • Date
    • Timeframe
    • House rules
    • How many people
    • Who will be the sober host
    • Who will chat with the neighbors
  • Designate a sober host to monitor and control the social gathering who will keep track of:
    • Access to the gathering
    • Outside noise and parking issues
    • Music volume
    • Theft of your items and others
  • Notify your neighbors in advance and share the phone number of the sober host so they can call you if there are issues. If they call you, listen to and act upon their concerns.
  • Don’t post on social media. Once your gathering is shared on social media, you lose control over who will attend. Remember, every tweet or post can be shared with others, including people you don’t know.
  • Do not provide alcohol to minors. Providing alcohol to minors between the ages of 18 to 21 is a misdemeanor, with penalties including up to 18 months in prison and $5000 fine. Providing alcohol to minors under 18 is a felony, with up to six years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
    • Also, remember social host laws hold host(s) civilly liable for any injuries or damages that occur as a result of an intoxicated person under the age of 21, where it is proven that the host(s) knowingly provided alcoholic beverages to the person OR knowingly provided the intoxicated person under the age of 21 a place to consume alcoholic beverages.
  • Keep the gathering size reasonable so your gathering stays in line with the capacity of your residence and to avoid disturbing your neighbors.
  • Have a guest list! Remember that unwanted guests do not know you or care if you receive a ticket.
  • Ask for help. If your gathering gets too big and people will not leave despite your requests, call the non-emergency number (Denver: 720-913-2000; Adams County: 303-288-1535) and ask for assistance in breaking up your gathering before things get much worse.
  • Clean up after the gathering the next morning. Pick up all trash resulting from the gathering (in your yard and in your neighbors’) and follow-up with your neighbors. A follow-up conversation with your neighbors goes a long way to show that you are respecting them and the neighborhood.