Denver City Council unanimously approves 16th St. Mall smoking ban

DENVER – The city council on Monday unanimously approved a new ordinance that bans smoking on the 16th Street Mall starting Dec. 1.

The council gave preliminary approval to the “Breathe Easy” campaign last week, and approved the final measure Monday after votes on several different amendments.

The council unanimously passed an amendment to the ordinance that will allow the gathering of demographic data on who is being punished by the ban—something that was pushed for by homeless advocacy group Denver Homeless Out Loud.

But the council shot down in a 3-6 vote an amendment that would have had the ordinance sunset after two years.

Once the new rules go into effect Dec. 1, people won’t be able to smoke cigarettes, cigars or electronic devices within 50 feet of 16th Street between Broadway and Chestnut streets. Violating the ordinance could result in a fine of up to $100, but the city has stressed that an education program would preclude any citations.

Smoking is already banned within 25 feet of an entryway in Denver, and within 15 feet of entryways across the state.

The council plans to have a sign informing people of the new ordinance on every other block on the mall, and people will be on the streets passing out leaflets about the new rules.