The Party Checklist: Steps for a Fun, Safe, and Responsible Gathering

Agree with roommates/housemates about "house rules"
- Music Volume.
- Size of party - Who to tell.
- BYOB? To keg or not to keg.
- Party Hours.
- Have extra trash cans available.
- Decide on what food and non-alcoholic beverages to provide.
Establish a Responsible Monitor
- Turns away those persons not invited/wanted at party.
- Helps to monitor "house rules."
- Talks with police should they happen to show up.
- Watches for drunk drivers.
Speak with your neighbors
- Let neighbors know of party plans - Exchange phone #'s, have your phone on during the party.
- Negotiate an end time and a clean up time with neighbors.
- Talk with your neighbors on many occasions, no just the day before a party.
- Lend a helping hand. Offer to mow neighbor's lawn, shovel snow, etc.
- Ask your neighbors what their past experiences have been with students.
- Familiarize yourself with the Public Nuisance Ordinance and check on your property.

Monitor
- Are you familiar with the people at your party?
- Have you secured areas/property that you do not want people to have access to?
- Are the people at your party of legal drinking age?
- How is the noise level?
- Are people parked in designated/appropriate areas? Are neighbors' spots being blocked?
- Is anyone getting too drunk? You could be liable if they get in an accident.
- Are people leaving with cups? This draws attention and creates trash.
- What is the behavior like when people are leaving? Lots of noise, urinating in your yard or neighbors' yards, making excess noise?
Take Action
- If party gets beyond your control, call the police yourself at (970) 221-6540.
- Let "responsible monitor" talk to police. Don't get in the way; you could end up being charged with obstruction and/or resisting.
- Do as police instruct. If police are instructing you to leave, do so. Failure to take action could cause much more serious problems, e.g. rioting.

Clean-up/Damage Control
- Make sure you yard/neighbor's yards are clear of any trash, cups, etc.
- Talk with neighbors to determine if they experienced any problems.