Campus safety and transportation

Fort Lewis College is a pedestrian-focused campus. Students, employees, and visitors are expected to follow campus safety, parking, and transportation guidelines to help keep our community safe and accessible.

Getting around campus

Scooters, bicycles, skateboards, and other wheeled devices

Non-motorized devices

  • Bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, scooters, and similar non-motorized wheeled devices must be operated under control at all times.
  • These devices may not be operated inside buildings, on walls, or on railings.
  • Skateboards and in-line skates are not allowed on public roadways.
  • Violations may result in fines, confiscation of equipment, or disciplinary action.

Motorized devices

  • Motorized scooters are allowed on campus but may not be operated inside buildings.
  • A motorcycle permit is required for parking, and motorized scooters must be parked in motorcycle spaces.
  • Go-carts cannot legally be operated on roadways or on campus and are prohibited.

View the complete Fort Lewis College policy on wheeled device safety

Pedestrians

Fort Lewis College is a pedestrian campus, with the safety and welfare of the campus community in mind. Pedestrians have the right of way on campus.

Driving and parking

Rules of the road

The Fort Lewis College Police Department is responsible for enforcing traffic and parking regulations on campus.

  • Fort Lewis College employs State Police Officers who monitor campus traffic as part of their duties.
  • FLC Police work in cooperation with the La Plata County Sheriff's Office and the Durango Police Department. The Colorado State Patrol may also assist during emergencies.
  • Campus roadways are public roadways. Applicable state and municipal traffic laws are enforced.
  • Fort Lewis College police officers may issue tickets for moving violations, which may result in a summons to Durango Municipal Court or La Plata County Court.
  • Serious or repeated violations may result in fines or loss of campus parking or driving privileges.
  • The speed limit on campus is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.

Construction and road closures

The interior portion of campus is reserved for pedestrian traffic. Vehicle access points are marked with traffic gates and signs that read "No Parking" or "Service and Emergency Vehicles Only." Some interior areas are accessible only by sidewalks.

Do not drive or park within the interior of the Fort Lewis College campus unless the Fort Lewis College Police Department has specifically authorized you or your vehicle. This restriction applies even when traffic gates are open.

Failure to follow this requirement may result in charges of Disregarding a Barricade (C.R.S. 42-4-603) or Careless Driving (C.R.S. 42-4-1402).

Towing and immobilization

Fort Lewis College reserves the right to tow vehicles at the owner's expense for the following reasons:

  1. Parking in a designated accessible parking space.
  2. Parking in reserved spaces.
  3. Parking in areas that create a danger to the safety and welfare of people or property, including fire lanes, service areas, traffic lanes, and walkways.
  4. Persistent or flagrant violations of parking rules and regulations.
  5. Parking without a Fort Lewis College parking permit.
  6. Abandoning a vehicle.
  7. Parking in a "No Overnight Parking" area between 1 am and 7 am.
  8. Parking that interferes with snow removal during heavy snowfall.
  9. Emergencies.
  10. Obstructing maintenance operations.

Vehicle owners are responsible for retrieving towed vehicles from the towing company and paying towing or other associated charges.

If a vehicle has been immobilized, contact Fort Lewis College Police at 247-7491 or 749-6581 to have the device removed.

Do not attempt to move a vehicle while an immobilization device is attached. Fort Lewis College accepts no responsibility for damage caused by moving a vehicle while the device is in place.

Tampering with Police property is a punishable offense and may result in a summons to the Durango Municipal Court.

College disciplinary action may be taken for persistent or flagrant violations of Fort Lewis College parking and traffic rules and regulations.

Winter parking and snow removal

During the winter, heavy snow-removal equipment operates on campus roads and in parking lots both day and night.

  • When snow levels require thorough snow removal from parking lots, closure notices will be posted at least 48 hours in advance.
  • Vehicles that are not moved from closed lots may be towed at the owner's expense.
  • Vehicle owners are responsible for monitoring weather conditions and checking notices posted on campus.

During periods of heavy snowfall, contact Fort Lewis College Police/Parking Services at 247-7491 or 749-6581, or Physical Plant Services at 247-7000, for snow-removal schedule information.

Damage and theft

Report theft, vandalism, or property damage to the Durango La Plata Emergency Communications Center at 385-2900. The Communications Center will dispatch a Fort Lewis College Police officer to assist or investigate.

Fort Lewis College does not accept responsibility for loss under any circumstances, including theft, vandalism, criminal mischief, or malicious property damage.

Keep parked vehicles locked at all times.

Dogs on campus

  • Dogs are permitted on the Fort Lewis College campus, but may be restricted from certain buildings. Restrictions will be posted at building entrances.
  • Durango Municipal Code Chapter 4 and La Plata County Code of Ordinances Chapter 10 apply to the Fort Lewis College campus.
  • Fort Lewis College may issue a summons for violations.

FLC policies