TRAFFIC AND PARKING REGULATIONS
INTRODUCTION
The Campus Security Services office is located in Taylor Hall 208. The office phone is 970-943-3084 and the Security cell-phone is 970-209-1020.
Consideration of others should be kept in mind at all times when operating a motorized vehicle, bicycle, skateboard or inline skates. The intent of these regulations is to protect the health, safety and property of all persons on campus and to provide access for fire and emergency equipment.
It is the responsibility of all students, staff, faculty and visitors to be aware of and to comply with state, county, and city laws as well as campus rules and regulations.
Primary responsibility for campus parking and traffic control rests with Campus Security Services and designated staff members (Authority CRS 73-23-5-107). This responsibility is shared with the Gunnison Police Department and the Gunnison County Sheriff's Department. The Colorado State Patrol may also be involved in traffic enforcement on campus.
UNATHORIZED PARKING AND DRIVING AREAS
A valid parking space is defined by two white parallel lines with no yellow markings or signage present.
Yellow lines or markings means no parking is permitted.
Parking is not permitted (whether posted "No Parking" or not) on roads without designated parking spots, driveways, sidewalks, lawns or grass, or non-paved areas.
Vehicles violating College parking policies may be towed away from these areas, at the owner's expense, without notice.
Driving or parking is not permitted in any pedestrian walkway or lawn area except for campus service and emergency vehicles. Only the Director of Facilities Services or Campus Security Officers may give permission to drive or park in these areas.
HANDICAPPED AND "15 MINUTE" PARKING SPACES
Western State College (WSC) reserves parking spaces for disabled students, staff, faculty and visitors. A handicapped permit issued by Western State College or the State of Colorado must be displayed on the rearview mirror, the driver's side dashboard or as a license plate.
Valid handicapped permits from other states will also be honored.
A handicapped permit may be obtained from Facilities Services or the Campus Security Services office by providing a physician's statement of injury or illness. This permit is only valid on college property.
Campus Security Services will ticket any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes in the specially designated "15 Minute" parking spots. These spaces are for day-care patron use only.
NO OVERNIGHT PARKING
Several lots have been designated as "No Overnight Parking" from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. These lots are:
- Escalante Drive, south of Quigley Hall
- Hurst Hall Lot
- Lower Taylor Hall Lot
- Quigley Hall Lot
- Taylor Hall Lot including lots east of Taylor Hall and southwest of the Dinosaur Reconstruction Lab
- Wright Gymnasium Lot
The Union Lot is the only lot where overnight parking is permitted on a special basis (i.e., field trips, athletic trips, Wilderness Pursuits trips, etc.). Camping or living in a vehicle is not permitted at any time on Western State College property.
PARKING DURING VACATION PERIODS
Vehicles may be left on campus, during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and during winter, spring, summer and fall inter-session breaks, in the Dolores and Mountaineer Bowl parking lots unless other lots have been designated by the College for overflow parking.
Vehicles are not to be left on campus over summer break unless written permission from Campus Security Services is obtained. Each case will be decided on an individual basis.
SNOW REMOVAL WARNING
As snow removal from the parking lots, campus roads and sidewalks becomes necessary during the winter months, heavy snow removal equipment may be operating in these areas day and night.
The College reserves the right to issue notice to remove vehicles from any parking lot or roadway at any time during periods of heavy snowfall. It is the vehicle operator's responsibility to look for email notices, notices posted in the Union or notices posted on affected vehicles.
RESIDENCE HALL PARKING
Due to limited parking areas, only students and staff living in campus housing may park overnight in the following lots:
- Beckwith/Coronado Lot
- Chipeta Lot
- Dolores and Mountaineer Bowl Lot
- Escalante North Lot
- Mears Complex Lot
- Savage Library Lot
- Shavano Complex Lot
- Ute Lot
In the interest of providing maximum convenience for all campus drivers, students, faculty and staff living on campus are encouraged to park in the lots designated for their particular building and to leave their vehicle in that lot, rather than driving to another lot closer to classes or work locations.
BICYCLE REGULATION
Bicycles can be licensed, free of charge, by the Gunnison Police Department. Call 641-8000 to arrange to register your bicycle. It is recommended that all bicycles be registered and locked at all times when not in use.
Bicycles may only be parked in bike racks. Locking bicycles to light posts, stair rails, guard rails, trees, shrubs or benches creates a traffic hazard for pedestrians, emergency and service vehicles. Bicycles locked to objects other than bicycle racks may be immobilized or removed by Campus Security Services.
If your bicycle has been immobilized or removed, contact Campus Security Services (943-3084).
THEFT, VANDALISM OR DAMAGE TO VEHICLES OR BICYCLES
Any theft, vandalism or damage to property should reported immediately to Campus Security Services (943-3084) or the Gunnison Police Department (641-8000).
Western State College does not accept or assume responsibility for loss under any circumstances, including theft, vandalism or malicious mischief. It is recommended that parked vehicles be locked at all times.
ABANDONED VEHICLES AND BICYCLES
Vehicles and bicycles, which appear to have been abandoned on campus, will be towed or removed, at the owner's expense. Any vehicle without license plates will be towed.
TOW-AWAY POLICY
Vehicles are subject to tow-away by a bonded towing company for the following reasons:
- Abandoned vehicles, including those not having license plates.
- Parking in "No Overnight Parking" areas between 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Parking in areas which create a danger to safety and welfare of persons and property (i.e. fire lanes, service areas, traffic lanes, walkways, lawns, etc.).
- Parking in non-designated lots during vacation periods.
- Parking in spaces reserved for the handicapped.
- When obstructing snow removal operations.
If you believe your vehicle has been towed contact Campus Security Services or the Gunnison Police Department.
PAYMENT OF FINES
Parking citations and other fines are payable to Western State College and may be paid in person (Taylor Hall 208) or mailed in the ticket envelope. Persons wishing to appeal the citation may pick up an appeal form in the Campus Security Services office (Taylor 208).
If you receive a ticket and do not pay it or start an appeal within 15 days a "stop" can be placed on your student account. This means you can not register for classes, obtain a transcript, etc. Any appeal started later than 15 days from the issue date of the ticket will be denied unless special circumstances apply. All appeals must be made on the appropriate form and your ticket must be attached. You will receive a notification as to whether your appeal has been upheld or denied. If denied you have five business days to pay the fine or have a "stop" placed on your account.
In case of non-students, your name may be submitted to the state collection agency for action.
MOVING VIOLATIONS
The speed limit on campus is 10 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. Speeding violations carry varying penalties dependent upon the number of miles per hour in excess of the speed limit. Other moving violations carry the same penalties applicable under State of Colorado laws.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Vehicles parked on campus should be registered with Campus Security Services. Registration forms are available in the Security office (Taylor 208), the College Union and the Residence Life office (Crystal 104).
Rev 4: May 10, 2000