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Council approves first reading to expand downtown no‑camping zone to new pedestrian tunnels
Summary
Glenwood Springs city council approved first reading of Ordinance 2024‑29 to add two new pedestrian tunnels and the 27th Street underpass to the city's downtown no‑camping zone; staff said a GIS map will be attached for second reading Jan. 2 and enforcement will be handled by the city police with constitutional limits noted.
Glenwood Springs — The city council on Tuesday approved the first reading of Ordinance 2024‑29 to expand the established downtown no‑camping zone to include two recently completed pedestrian tunnels and the underpass beneath Highway 82 at 27th Street. Council members voted unanimously to send the ordinance to a second reading on Jan. 2, after which it would take effect 10 days following final adoption.
City staff told council the posted map of the expanded zone will be attached for second reading and that a formal intergovernmental agreement with the regional transit authority is expected in January for areas that cross transit property. Staff emphasized the ordinance aims to narrowly target areas presenting safety risks to pedestrians and bicyclists, rather than imposing a citywide ban on camping.
Councilors pressed staff on who will enforce the expanded zone, particularly where the underpass crosses state highway right‑of‑way. Councilor Sims asked who polices the 27th Street underpass. City staff responded that the areas fall within Glenwood Springs' corporate limits and the Glenwood police department has jurisdiction, while noting enforcement tools are limited by constitutional and judicial protections for people experiencing homelessness.
Staff said enforcement would prioritize voluntary compliance — asking people to move along and providing information about alternative locations — rather than immediate arrest. The presentation also noted the city is coordinating with the transit agency and is finalizing GIS mapping to clearly define the added no‑camping areas.
The council’s action on first reading does not itself impose penalties; the ordinance will be formally adopted only if the council approves it at second reading on Jan. 2, after staff attaches the finalized map and completes outstanding intergovernmental paperwork.
Next steps: The ordinance returns to council for a second reading on Jan. 2; staff said the map will be included then and a final IGA with the transit agency is anticipated in January.
