Volume 126, No 103 March, 22, 2017

Page 1

Volume 126, No. 103

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

NEWS

Free speech on campus expands PAGE 4

OPINION Community members stand in line to comment on their perspective regarding the sit-lie ban in front of Fort Collins’ City Council. PHOTO BY DAVIS

City Council passes amended sit-lie ban

BONNER COLLEGIAN

By Seth Bodine @sbodine120

Fort Collins City Council voted to pass an amended version of the city ordinance originally termed the “sit-lie ban” on a 6-1 vote. The amended version of the ordinance does not prohibit lying or sitting on the sidewalk. Originally, the ordinance prohibited sitting, kneeling or lying on sidewalks, benches and plazas, leaving personal property unattended, and having more

personal property than one can carry in downtown Fort Collins. The amendments changed the prohibition of sitting or lying on sidewalks or plazas downtown. Now, the ordinance only prohibits leaving personal property unattended on a public sidewalk or bench and sitting, kneeling or lying within 10 feet of a public restroom. It also prohibits lying on things not designated as sitting areas within 20 feet of a transit facility, but this rule exempts areas at transit facilities

that do not offer seating areas. During the first reading at the last City Council meeting March 8, the ordinance was passed 6-1 with the amendments. According to the ordinance, the ban was proposed due to the City “experiencing difficulties over how public facilities are being used or misused.” The City is conducting research on additional options for personal item storage, such as lockers. The regulations made by the ordinance will be evaluated af-

ter one year, and City Council will make modifications if necessary. Over the past few months, the ordinance has been the cause of multiple protests hosted by the Fort Collins Homeless Coalition. Many opposed the ordinance because they believed it would unfairly favor business owners and would target the downtown area’s homeless population. The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado denounced the ordinance, writing see PASSES on page 5 >>

Apathy about car crashes is naive PAGE 6

A&C

Kids present on sustainability PAGE 12


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