ACLU sends letters to 31 Colorado cities, demanding repeal of anti-panhandling laws

The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado sent letters to 31 cities across the state on Tuesday demanding a repeal of panhandling restrictions.

Letters challenging ordinances were sent to: Aguilar, Alma, Berthoud, Blue River, Brush, Central City, Columbine Valley, Commerce City, De Beque, Del Norte, Estes Park, Fairplay, Frederick, Garden City, Granby, Idaho Springs, Julesburg, La Jara, Mancos, New Castle, Ouray, Palisade, Paonia, Rangley, Timnath, Victor, Wellington, WIndsor, Wray and Yuma, according to an ACLU Colorado news release.

“These outdated ordinances, which prohibit peaceful, nonintrusive requests for charity, must be taken off the books,” said ACLU of Colorado Staff Attorney Rebecca Wallace. “As courts across the country, and here in Colorado, have recognized, a plea for help is a communication that is protected by the First Amendment. An outstretched hand can convey human suffering, can remind passersby of the gap between rich and poor, and in some cases, can highlight a lack of jobs and social services.”

A federal court in Colorado sided with the state’s ACLU in 2015, striking down a Grand Junction ordinance that restricted how individuals and organizations could ask for charity.

Read more: https://www.denverpost.com/2018/08/28/aclu-panhandling-restrictions-colorado/