Denver officials to consider legislation banning plastic bags

Denver officials are looking into the potential of possibly getting rid of plastic bags throughout the city once the newly elected Democratic legislature give the ban the go-ahead.

According to The Washington Free Beacon, the Denver City Council has not formally introduced the bill yet, but comments from a signal to the new Democrat-controlled General Assembly are rolling in. In November elections, Democrats maintained control of the governorship and House of Representatives and flipped the Senate.

The Denver City Council considered a plastic bag fee in 2014 but scrapped the plan to focus on trash pick-up services instead.

The Beacon reports a decades-old law has barreled local government from the banning of plastic products in Colorado, but it’s something some cities have ignored. Towns like Aspen, Crested Butte, and Telluride have laws to ban bags. They are among other U.S. cities to do the same, such as Seatlle, Portland, and Boston.

Denver City Council mulled a plastic bag fee in 2014, but the plan was scrapped to focus on trash pick-up services.

If the new law is passed, grocery stores and consumer groups would likely oppose the legislation. Critics say bag bans are often times, not effective and that plastic bag fees are nothing more than taxes.

The legislation could also inspire cities to ban other items many argue are harmful to the environment. For example, things like styrofoam, plastic straws, and plastic utensils.

No lawmakers have announced whether they would sponsor the legislation to allow Colorado cities to ban plastic bags.

To learn more about the legislation, click here.