Bill to guarantee rights for homeless introduced in Colorado legislature

As complaints about and efforts to help the homeless continue, a proposed law seeks to protect the rights of homeless people.

Two Denver-area state representatives introduced House Bill 18-1067 , also known as the Colorado Right to Rest Act.

The bill would safeguard the right to use and move freely in public spaces, to rest in public spaces, to eat or accept food in any public space where food is allowed, to occupy legally parked vehicles and to have a reasonable expectation of privacy and private property.

Several municipalities in Colorado have sought to control or limit activity by the homeless in those areas.

The bill’s sponsors, Democrats Jovan Melton and Joseph Salazar, said the bill is necessary to preserve public peace, health and safety.

The bill recognizes that many people become homeless through no fault of their own and do not deserve to be criminalized for it, and should not be forced to “move along.”

Municipalities and agencies are exempt from the bill’s requirements if those entities prove they offer “appropriate and adequate” housing to a homeless person, and the person refuses.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 will follow the progress of the bill during the current legislative session.

A similar bill was introduced and failed in 2016.