He said commissioners are concerned with putting money into housing rather than a safe parking lot, especially because HOPE for Longmont’s safe lot already exists. “Those who are just barely getting by will be pushed into abject poverty.”Īccording to O’Connor, the county is offering little-to-no solutions for people currently residing in their cars. He believes that receiving a ticket at times could lead to the impounding of cars. O’Connor said for many that live in their vehicle, it is their last asset. The statement said, “In my experience, criminal penalties for activities like camping in public do nothing to change the behavior of homeless individuals, nor do they make our communities safer … Surely there must be a better way to direct these folks to resources that may be able to help break this cycle.” Pelle gave authorization to O’Connor in 2018 to read a statement at a Colorado legislative committee hearing for a failed “right to rest” bill. O’Connor has criticized Pelle for changing his tone towards urban camping. Pelle has been under scrutiny for the ordinance from Wake Up Boulder, a local media organization that focuses on social justice issues, and Safe Boulder, an organization that provides mutual aid and shares information for unhoused people. “But, my constituents that own homes and neighborhoods, on the other hand, don’t want junk cars and RVs parked in front of their house with people living in them.” Two dogs arrive with their owners at HOPE for Longmont’s safe lot, May 16, 2022.
We encourage them to be that way,” said Pelle. “We train, and we hire compassionate people. The decision to write a ticket is up to officer discretion. Pelle sees the ordinance as a tool to give warnings to move campers out of neighborhoods, but he doesn’t anticipate many tickets will be issued. Essentially, the ordinance allows officers to tell unhoused people to “move along.” He said officers were issuing parking tickets, but their car only has to move a few feet to avoid receiving an additional ticket. Sheriff Joe Pelle initially requested the ordinance from the county commissioners to solve a “specific problem.” According to Pelle, the sheriff’s office was getting complaints from residents about people camping in their cars. Darren O’Connor addresses protesters who oppose a potential car camping ban in Boulder County, May 15, 2022. “I’m just concerned for the individuals who are falling through the gaps, and their needs are not met,” said Alice Sueltenfuss, the executive director of HOPE for Longmont, which offers resources, shelter and a safe parking lot to unhoused people. The ordinance will penalize people for sleeping, cooking or “engaging in activities of daily living.” The ordinance also targets items for daily living such as clothing, personal hygiene items, cooking materials and shelters such as tents and vehicles. Those in violation can be ticketed up to $300. Though each ban is slightly different, the common theme is getting unhoused residents to move themselves and their encampment somewhere else, and activists and others who aid unhoused community members fear the effect of Boulder County’s proposed ordinance.Ĭounty Ordinance 2022-1 will prohibit people from “residing” on Boulder County-owned land. Nearly two months ago, Aurora added itself to the list, passing a similar camping ban.
The city of Boulder’s ban, at 6, is not far behind. Denver’s camping ban just hit its 10th anniversary. Urban camping bans are not new to Colorado.
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