After Proms in Larimer County 2023

High school proms begin this month in Larimer County, and if you’re a high school student, you or someone you know is likely to be impaired on prom night. “After-Proms” were created – many, including Fort Collins High School’s, by Mothers Against Drunk Driving – to keep impaired teens off the road after prom ends, and we’ve put together a list of dates, times, and locations of after-proms in Larimer County 2023.

What is after-prom or post-prom?

After-prom, also known as post-prom, is a late-night event for high school students that starts when prom ends. That way, teens can go directly from prom to after-prom and stay up late with friends while staying off the road past midnight. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one-third of alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities in 2019 occurred during prom season, between April and June.

 

Pop culture romanticizes drinking or getting high with friends post-prom as part of the complete prom experience. And while we know 39% of teens think it’s “likely” their friends will drink or use drugs on prom night, the goal of after-prom is to keep anyone who is impaired off the road.

 

After-Proms in Larimer County 2023 (Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Estes Park)

FORT COLLINS

Fort Collins High School

When: Saturday, April 29 from 10:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Where: Fort Collins High School

What: Free food, games, music, huge inflatables, and thousands of dollars in prizes given away – open to students who do and do not attend prom

Poudre High School

When: Saturday, May 6 from 11 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Where: Poudre High School

What: Free to attend

 

Fossil Ridge High School

When: Prom is on Saturday, May 6

Where: FlyHigh Trampoline Park

 

Rocky Mountain High School

When: Prom is on Saturday, April 22; website lists time and location of after-prom as TBD

 

 

LOVELAND

Thompson Valley High School

 When: Prom is on Saturday, April 29 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

What: For information about after-prom, current students and parents can contact Julia Sanders at julia.sanders@psd.org

 

Mountain View High School

No after-prom this year.

 

Loveland High School

When: Prom is on Saturday, April 29 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

What: For information about after-prom, current students and parents can contact Molly Davies at molly.davies@psd.org

 

 

BERTHOUD

 Berthoud High School

 When: Saturday, April 15 from 10:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Where: Grace Place

What: BHS After-Prom 2023 is still looking for sponsors; learn more on their Facebook page

 

ESTES PARK

No after-prom scheduled yet.

After-Prom Alternatives

 If your school isn’t offering an after-prom, or it’s just not your thing, here is a list of other late-night activities in northern Colorado:

• The Summit, Windsor (food, drink, bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and more); open until 1 a.m.
• Chipper’s Lanes 830 North, Fort Collins (food, drink, bowling, and arcade); open until midnight
• Pinball Jones, Fort Collins (beverages available, pinball machines, arcade games, air hockey, bowlers, and more); open until midnight
• X-Golf, Fort Collins (golfing simulator rooms); open until midnight
• Sweetheart 10 Pin Bowling, Loveland (affordable, old-fashioned 10-pin bowling); open until midnight

 

At-Home Ideas

• Karaoke night
• Pizza party
• Bonfire
• Movie marathon

How can I talk to my teen about drinking or using drugs on prom night?

Funding for after-proms has decreased since the pandemic began, putting more responsibility on parents. Most schools did not have after-proms in 2020 or 2021, and current students are not familiar with after-prom.

 

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), “prom tops the list of school functions parents are most concerned about teens drinking alcohol.” Just over half of parents talk to their teens about risks of drinking alcohol before special events; however, parent conversations with their kids are critical and the leading influence on whether a teen chooses to drink.

 

How parents can keep teens safe on prom night

 

Hire a ride – A limo ride is a special addition to prom night and ensures teens, who are already excited and distracted, won’t drive impaired

 

Talk about rules – Talk to your teen before prom night about expectations and road safety, and come up with a plan in case they find themselves in a tricky situation. Start with the CDC’s Teen Driving Contract for a list of talking points.

 

Keep your home open – Let your teen know your house is home base for them and their friends on prom night; bonus if you have snacks, beverages, movies, and/or games

 

Set an example – Always drive responsibly; your teen is watching you

 

No DUI Larimer encourages all of our readers: Educate yourself about how alcohol and drugs affect you and how you can avoid driving impaired – take charge of your future. Make the Right Call.

 

Follow No DUI Larimer on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more ways you can combat impaired driving in our community.