Government & Politics  February 3, 2015

Fort Collins council to consider expanding outdoor smoking ban

FORT COLLINS — Visitors to the newly refurbished Old Town Square would be prohibited from smoking outdoors starting next year if rules being considered tonight by the Fort Collins City Council are approved.

The council is scheduled to consider expanding the city’s prohibitions on smoking to include some downtown sidewalks, alleys and plazas, including Old Town Square. The ban also would include all city-owned facilities including parks, golf courses, trails and natural areas, as well as events such as NewWestFest and the Taste of Fort Collins.

The expanded prohibition would take effect Jan. 1, 2016, and would be accompanied by public-education programs and signage.

In recommending passage of the extended “Downtown Smoke-Free Zone,” city staff cited the health risks of secondhand smoke as well as Fort Collins’ reputation as a healthy city.

A spokeswoman for the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, which is overseeing the $3 million renovation of Old Town Square, said the DDA has not taken a position on the expanded no-smoking rules.

FORT COLLINS — Visitors to the newly refurbished Old Town Square would be prohibited from smoking outdoors starting next year if rules being considered tonight by the Fort Collins City Council are approved.

The council is scheduled to consider expanding the city’s prohibitions on smoking to include some downtown sidewalks, alleys and plazas, including Old Town Square. The ban also would include all city-owned facilities including parks, golf courses, trails and natural areas, as well as events such as NewWestFest and the Taste of Fort Collins.

The expanded prohibition would take effect Jan. 1, 2016, and would be accompanied by public-education programs…

Dallas Heltzell
With BizWest since 2012 and in Colorado since 1979, Dallas worked at the Longmont Times-Call, Colorado Springs Gazette, Denver Post and Public News Service. A Missouri native and Mizzou School of Journalism grad, Dallas started as a sports writer and outdoor columnist at the St. Charles (Mo.) Banner-News, then went to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch before fleeing the heat and humidity for the Rockies. He especially loves covering our mountain communities.
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