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Council approves first reading of ordinance barring certain registered offenders from living near youth-populated areas
Summary
On first reading, the council voted 8-0 to approve Ordinance 67-83, creating a new code section that broadly bars certain registered *** offenders and "violent predators" from establishing residences within 1,000 feet of designated youth-populated areas, with grandfathering exceptions and misdemeanor penalties.
The Loveland City Council voted unanimously on first reading to approve Ordinance 67-83, which would add a new chapter restricting residency by certain registered *** offenders near "youth-populated areas." City Attorney Vince Jungles presented the ordinance as modeled on language previously adopted — and reviewed by courts — in other Colorado municipalities, explaining definitions, the 1,000-foot measurement, and exceptions for persons who already reside within a restricted zone at the ordinance's effective date.
Jungles summarized the ordinance's intent: to prevent "******** violent predators" and other registered *** offenders from establishing residences within 1,000 feet of places where children gather (schools, playgrounds, designated bus stops, recreation trails and similar locations). He said the city refined the Inglewood model in a few respects, removed an "official walk-to-school route" concept and added clearer definitions, and noted the draft contains grandfathering for residents who lived within the restricted radius prior to the ordinance's effective date.
Public comment on this item in chambers was limited; a caller and a resident (Dennis Dinsmore) supported the change as a protective measure for children. Councilors asked follow-up questions about other municipalities' distances, practical enforcement and the potential geographic effect of a 1,000-foot buffer. Jungles said the city had not completed a city-wide map for available residential locations using this 1,000-foot standard and offered to provide additional analysis at second reading.
On roll call the first-reading motion carried 8-0. The city will schedule second reading as required by municipal ordinance schedule and publish the effective-date information if and when the council adopts the ordinance on final passage.
Next steps: City Attorney indicated staff would provide additional implementation information for second reading, including comparative analyses from other Colorado cities and clarifications on which public places (school bus stops, trails) are included in the 1,000-foot buffer.
