Colorado Springs: Bell ringers OK on private land

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The city of Colorado Springs says its new ordinance against panhandling won’t stop the Salvation Army bell ringers from seeking donations on private property downtown.

The City Council on Tuesday gave final approval to an ordinance prohibiting any kind of soliciting in a specific zone downtown, which would’ve affected bell ringers. But the measure doesn’t extend to private property. The ordinance goes into effect next month.

The city said Wednesday that The Mining Exchange Wyndham Grand Hotel has already offered the Salvation Army a place for a bell ringer on its property downtown. City officials say the Salvation Army’s other bell ringers are stationed outside the no-solicitation zone.