PUEBLO, CO — The Pueblo City Council voted unanimously to move a sit-lie ordinance to a second and final vote, scheduled for next month. The proposed ordinance aims to prohibit sitting or sleeping on public sidewalks in specific areas near businesses, including high-traffic zones such as downtown sidewalks and trails.
If passed, the ordinance would grant police officers the authority to issue citations to individuals obstructing sidewalks or walkways near businesses, addressing concerns about public space accessibility and safety. Proponents argue that the measure is necessary to maintain clear pathways for pedestrians and preserve the aesthetic and functionality of commercial areas.
This ordinance is not the first of its kind in Pueblo. A similar measure was introduced in 2022 but failed to gain approval, with a narrow 4-3 vote against it. Advocates of the ordinance argue that the situation has only worsened in the time since, with growing concerns over congestion in popular business areas and the impacts on local commerce.
Opponents of the sit-lie ordinance have expressed concerns about its potential effect on the homeless population, noting that such measures can disproportionately target vulnerable individuals without providing adequate solutions to the root causes of homelessness.
The final vote on the ordinance is set for April 14, and it remains to be seen whether the measure will gain the necessary support to pass this time around. As the date draws nearer, debate over the ordinance is expected to intensify, with citizens, businesses, and advocates all weighing in on the proposal’s potential impact.
