I may have to start grocery shopping anywhere but Fort Collins. The Fort Collins City Council has given initial approval to an ordinance requiring grocers to charge customers 10 cents for paper or plastic bags supplied by the store. I have said on the air that if  they start charging me for bags, I would shop for groceries in a different city. It's looking like that is going to happen.

According to the Coloradoan, the proposal passed 5-2, with Mayor Karen Weitkunat and Councilman Wade Troxell opposed. If approved on second reading in two weeks, the fee will go into effect in January.

The ordinance states that grocery stores would keep  the money generated by the fee, but would be required to spend at least 50 percent of it to buy reusable bags to distribute to customers.

I love my plastic bags. I use them as lunch bags. I use them for kitty litter removal. I even use them as dental floss. If a grocery store decides to charge for bags, that is business decision. If the city imposes a fee, that is a crime.  Why to they want to steal from me? Don't get me wrong. I am not opposed to cloth bags. I just don't think the government has the right to tell me I have to use them.  They certainly don't have the right to force stores to charge me for my plastic bags. I sure hope I won't be forced to shop out of town.

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