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Ridgway council votes 5-1 to permanently fly the Flag of Planet Earth; proclamation adopted
Summary
After public comment both for and against, the Ridgway Town Council approved permanently flying the Flag of Planet Earth in Hartwell Park by a 5–1 vote and unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing the flag’s raising.
Ridgway’s Town Council voted to permanently fly the International Flag of Planet Earth in Hartwell Park following public comment and council debate on May 14.
Hansa Devi, executive director of the Flag of Planet Earth initiative headquartered in Ridgway, asked the council to allow the flag to remain on the town pole as “non-political” symbolism of the interconnectedness of life and the oceans. Supporters in the audience, including Howard Greene, Keira DeLuccio and others, told the council the flag represents shared values and environmental concern. Opponents, such as Charlie Scott and Ellen Hunter, said the town should only fly the U.S. and Colorado flags and warned that permitting another flag could set a precedent.
Councilor Montague moved to approve permanent placement of the flag; Councilmember Schuyler seconded. The motion passed with Councilor Scoville voting no; the remaining councilors voted yes. Immediately afterward Mayor Clark read a proclamation recognizing the raising of the Flag of Planet Earth and the council approved that proclamation unanimously.
Council discussion focused on whether the request aligned with town values and whether flying a non-governmental flag on a town pole was appropriate. The town attorney advised that requests to fly a flag other than the U.S. and Colorado flags must be reviewed “based on their own merit, and based on the values of the Town.”
The council’s action concludes the permitting step to place the flag on the town flagpole; the proclamation formalizes the council’s recognition. No changes to flagpole policy or a formal amendment to town code were recorded during the meeting.
