Pueblo City Council President pushing for a sit-lie ordinance, some question its effectiveness

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- A controversial sit-lie ordinance could become a reality in Pueblo. Monday, City Council President Heather Graham brought forward an ordinance that would keep people from laying or sitting on sidewalks.

The ordinance states it " would prohibit persons from sitting or lying down in public rights of way in the Downtown Business Area during regular business hours."

Graham said she hopes it will help business owners who are dealing with people experiencing homelessness camping out outside of their businesses.

"It's going to really help clean up some of the downtown areas and not let people be, you know, be passed out across the sidewalk when families are walking through, and people in wheelchairs are walking through. It's going to actually make the individuals have to sit in one of the benches in the city," said Graham.

Graham said she has been getting many complaints from business owners in the downtown area about this ongoing issue.

"Business owners are really upset. Um, they're upset when I come into work in the morning, and they have, you know, an encampment built in front of their front door," said Graham

If the ordinance were to pass, it would be unlawful for any person to sit, kneel, recline, or lie down in the Downtown Business Area upon any surface of any Public Right-of-Way or upon any bedding, chair, stool, or any other object placed upon the surface of any Public Right-of-way, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

If someone violated the ordinance, it would be a civil infraction. For the first violation, people would receive a fine of up to $100. For any second or subsequent violations, they would face fines of up to $200.

Not everyone is in favor of this proposed ordinance. Some say it would only cause further issues for people experiencing homelessness.

Paul Montoya, who considers himself a well-known advocate in the city of Pueblo, said this strategy will not work.

"They're targeting the homeless," Montoya said. He went on to question how the city council would expect someone unhoused would even be able to pay a $100 ticket or more.

The new ordinance has gone through the first reading. It will go through the second reading at the next city council meeting on November 14.

Graham is urging all residents, both in favor and against this new ordinance to come to this public hearing.