Fort Collins Cracks Down on Underage Drinking with Social Host Ordinance
The City of Fort Collins is cracking down on underage drinking and marijuana use with a new "social host" ordinance that was approved Tuesday on first reading by the City Council.
According to the Coloradoan, the ordinance would leave party hosts legally liable if some party attendees are younger than age 21. The City Council voted 6-1 on the ordinance with Councilmember Ray Martinez being the odd man out in opposition.
Martinez says the ordinance is a "solution looking for a problem," and targets college students. The former mayor and police officer himself also believes Fort Collins police already have the resources needed to handle nuisance parties.
Other council members say city regulations have been allowing party hosts to avoid responsibility for what happens in their homes in regard to unfortunate incidents like sexual assault and suicide which mother and Councilmember Kristin Stephens says are linked to alcohol and drug abuse.
These are behaviors we really want to stop in our community," Stephens told the Coloradoan.