Denver Police to Ban Late-Night Food Trucks in LoDo to Curb Violence
Starting Friday, food trucks will no longer be allowed to park in Denver’s Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood during late-night hours on weekends. The Denver Police Department (DPD) issued notices to food truck operators as part of a new pilot program aimed at reducing violence and enhancing safety in the area.
LoDo, known for its bustling nightlife, will restrict food truck operations between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. DPD officials explained that large crowds often gather around food trucks, which can lead to altercations and escalate into violence.
“The restricted area of operation is intended to help reduce the number of ‘bump into’ fights and incidents that escalate to gun violence,” a statement from the DPD explained. “This initiative aims to encourage people to leave the area shortly after bars and nightclubs close.”
In an effort to further manage crowds, DPD introduced designated rideshare zones in July, which have reportedly reduced the time it takes to clear the area by 30 to 40 minutes.
However, food truck owners, such as Mohammad Alissa, are concerned about the impact of the ban on their businesses. Alissa, who has been operating a food truck since 2017, said the ongoing restrictions have severely affected his livelihood.
“We lost almost 40 to 50% of our business when food trucks were previously banned,” Alissa said. “Now, it’s happening again, and it’s hurting us.”
The restrictions were first implemented in 2022 after a shooting near 20th and Larimer Streets left seven people injured. Police officers involved in the incident fired at an armed suspect, resulting in charges against one officer for recklessly endangering bystanders.
Despite the concerns from food truck operators, DPD emphasized that the footprint of the restricted area has been minimized as much as possible. The department is working to finalize designated zones where food trucks will be able to park and operate together. DPD stated that they will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and make adjustments as needed.
LoDo neighborhood groups, including the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association (LoDoNA), have expressed support for the measure. “We are supportive of moving food trucks to a different location to disperse the crowd,” said LoDoNA board member Don Ku.
For business owners like Alissa, the uncertainty has created stress. “At least I have a restaurant, but my employees rely on the food truck for their income,” he said.
In addition to the food truck ban, DPD is also ramping up police presence, improving lighting, and enhancing outreach to bars and nightclubs in the LoDo area as part of their broader efforts to increase safety.
