An Effort to Repeal Panhandling Laws in Northern Colorado
There is an effort right now to eliminate anti-panhandling laws in four Northern Colorado towns. This effort is lead by the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado.
According to the Coloradoan, the ACLU sent letters to Berthoud, Estes Park, Timnath, Wellington and Windsor, along with 26 other municipalities in Colorado. It is their claim that anti-panhandling laws are "unconstitutional" and should be repealed. A lawyer for the ACLU of Colorado said in part in a statement that "a plea for help is a communication that is protected by the First Amendment" and "an outstretched hand can convey human suffering, can remind passerby of the gap between rich and poor."
The Mayor's and officials of these Northern Colorado towns have not made an official statement, some citing the need to meet with attorney's first.
According to the Coloradoan, the ACLU did successfully turn Grand Junction's anti-panhandling ordinance in federal court in 2015. That win lead many Colorado towns, including Fort Collins, to either revise or drop the ordinances. The ACLU sued Fort Collins over its panhandling policies and ultimately settled the case.
Source: Coloradoan