Lawmakers hope to expand student free speech

Some Colorado legislators want to put a law on the books to get rid of specific “free speech” zones on college campuses across the state.

“Where our young people are learning, and training and being involved and are actually questioning,” said Sen. Tim Neville from Boulder.

Neville and Rep. Steve Humphrey of Greeley want students to be able to express their views campuswide.

“The rise of these so-called free speech, or safe space zones kind of spreads an incorrect premise that this is where you can speak freely, however everywhere else, maybe not so much,” Neville said.

Students at Colorado College say they already believe their voices are being heard.

Nizhooni Hurd, an anthropology student at CC believes professors hear her when she has an issue.

“Some of the things I am currently outspoken about is people of color and their involvement in the outdoors… because I have been outspoken about that I have been able to build a relationship with the director of outdoor education,” Hurd said.

The bill would still allow universities to contain outside groups to certain areas, something CC sophomore Lilly Chen says makes sense.

“On this campus, I feel like you can say like accurate and reasonable things without getting in trouble but you can’t go around yelling lies about things,” Chen said.

While students at CC don’t seem too concerned about changes to free speech zones, Neville believes there should be consistency on campuses across the state.

“Frankly I hope they look at it and say, yes, this is something that gives us some parameters,” Neville said.