Wheat Ridge council directs staff to draft drone ordinance

Wheat Ridge City Council directed staff Monday to prepare a revised ordinance requiring city-manager authorization for drone operations over city-owned property. The council took no final action during its Aug. 17 study session.

The city’s agenda identified the discussion as “Regulation of Drones.” Under the framework discussed by staff and the city attorney, drone operations over city property — including parks, streets and alleys — generally would be prohibited without prior authorization from the city manager. Staff described the authorization process as flexible rather than an absolute ban.

Government and public-safety work, utility activity and inspections were discussed as potential approved uses. Staff also said filming and commercial operations could be handled through permits or authorizations, although the discussion did not establish a final list of exceptions. Authorizations could include conditions to protect public safety and coordinate with the city and police, such as advance notice to residents for some utility flights.

Staff tied the proposal partly to Wheat Ridge’s own drone program, which began in March 2024. Staff said the program handled 119 calls for service in 2025, including fireworks-related calls, and improved response times. They also cited concerns about privately operated drones near parks, events, emergency scenes, roads, people, property and animals. The study-session recording includes the discussion of the program and proposed ordinance.

The proposal would rely on existing city rules addressing trespass, unlawful observation or voyeurism, privacy violations and nuisance behavior. Staff also discussed prohibiting careless operation that endangers people, property or animals. Enforcement could include impounding a drone or related equipment involved in conduct closely tied to a safety concern, but the discussion did not establish specific fines, offense classifications or a final impoundment procedure.

Council members discussed allowing drone use at city-designated locations, but approved no launch areas. Creekside Park was raised as a possible recreational site; the city attorney said any park designation should go through the parks process and public engagement. The study-session packet identifies local authority over drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property, but the meeting record shows no final site designation.

Council directed staff to return with a revised ordinance for a future first reading. The record does not show that a first-reading vote occurred or that the ordinance was adopted.