Committee postpones revised vehicle-noise ordinance after extensive public comment

Summary

The committee postponed consideration of a proposed ordinance to revise vehicle muffler and excessive-noise rules for two weeks after hours of testimony from residents, car clubs and law enforcement; the draft would codify parts of state law, add enforcement factors and a graduated penalty scheme including escalating fines and potential jail for a

The Public Services Committee on Aug. 18 voted to postpone for two weeks consideration of a proposed ordinance that would revise the municipal code’s vehicle muffler and excessive-noise provisions, after lengthy testimony from residents, representatives of car groups and police.

City Attorney John Brodie told the committee the proposal would remove the city’s current adoption-by-reference of a state statute and instead codify the material elements of that statute in the municipal code, add a nonexhaustive list of factors officers may consider when determining whether a vehicle is creating “unreasonable noise,” and adopt a graduated penalty scheme for repeat violations. Brodie said the proposal borrows language from a Fort Collins ordinance to define conduct and enforcement factors, and that the graduated penalties escalate within a 12-month window so that a third violation could become a jailable offense.

Committee members, law enforcement and members of the public debated several technical and policy issues. Captain James of the Cheyenne Police Department clarified current…

Committee postpones revised vehicle-noise ordinance after extensive public comment

Summary

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