Council gives final approval to no-camping ordinance

Despite a last-minute plea from homeless campers and homeless advocates, Colorado Springs City Council voted 8-1 today to give final approval to a no-camping ordinance. It will go into effect next week.

Just as he did in the first vote Feb. 9, Councilman Tom Gallagher voted against the ordinance, which prohibits camping on public property.

About a dozen protesters stood outside City Hall before the council meeting to protest the ordinance, and several opponents asked that the second vote be delayed or shelved. The ban does not require a third vote by the council.

Anti-tax protester Douglas Bruce also told the council that the ordinance was "unconstitutionally vague," but the city attorney's office stood by its constitutionality.

The council did include an amendment asking for a report in six months to evaluate the effectiveness of the ordinance.

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