On Tuesday, June 3, Longmont City Council voted to move an ordinance forward that would criminalize sitting, kneeling and lying down in the city’s commercial districts between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily and 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, including the 17th Avenue, 21st Avenue, Hover, Main Street, Downtown, Southwest and Ute Highway districts.
According to the ordinance, this law is “needed for the protection of the health and safety of the public.” Several cities throughout the state have a version of what is often referred to as a sit-lie ordinance in their municipal code, including Colorado Springs which extended the application area in January.
Proponents argue these laws keep sidewalks clear for pedestrians and aid in public safety; critics contend they criminalize homelessness…