COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Colorado Springs City Council passed the sit-lie ordinance expansion in a seven to two vote in Tuesday’s meeting.
District 4 Council Member Yolanda Avila and District 5 Council Member Nancy Henjum voted against the ordinance.
Before taking a final vote, members in the community expressed their disagreement with the expansion to the current enforced area. One member present, Dana, said, “I am startled to see this council sit here today with the vote that you guys voted two weeks ago. I do not believe that represents the vote of the people of this city, I do not believe that the people of this city think that unhoused people cannot exist… let me be plain about what I do believe this law is, this law is a law that promotes consumption and commerce over people.”
District One Council Member Dave Donelson voted in favor of this expansion adding, “ I’m going to vote in support to this. It’s not because I dislike homeless people. It’s because in our positions it’s about limited options and what can we do to help small business owners along these streets and the challenges that are in front of them. One thing we can do is in the day time, this rule doesn’t even apply at night. In the day time we won’t have people sleeping in front of a shop where they’re trying to attract customers.”
Background Information
Colorado Springs City Council has a packed meeting on Tuesday. On the agenda: e-bikes, marijuana, annexation, and what's called the sit-lie ordinance.
The sit-lie ordinance allows police officers to give tickets to people sitting or lying down near businesses. Tuesday they'll vote to expand the current enforced area.
Take a look at the map, above. You can see the current zone in the middle, between the black lines, in yellow. The city council is voting tonight to expand the zones, both north and south.
People we talked to have mixed opinions on the ordinance. Business owners we talked to say it is a great idea. Not everyone feels the same way though. People against the ordinance say it’s unfair to criminalize homelessness.
Right after the sit/lie ordinance vote is a vote on recreational marijuana.
Politics
Colorado Springs City Council postpones asking voters to approve E-bike rules
We will let you know how the vote turns out.
Wednesday rain & snow showers minimal as heavier snow moves in Thursday
An incoming storm will move into the Four Corners Region on Wednesday, with increasing wintry threats for Southern Colorado.
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