HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.061-92 RESOLUTION # ~1 Series, 1992
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
EXPRESSING THE POSITION OF THE CITY COUNCIL WITH RESPECT TO
AMENDMENT #2, WHICH HAS LEGALIZED IN THE STATE OF COLORADO
DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, TO EXPRESS THE CITY
COUNCIL'S COMMITMENT TO NON-DISCRIMINATION, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE
CITY ATTORNEY TO UNDERTAKE LITIGATION REGARDING THE VALIDITY AND
APPLICABILITY OF AMENDMENT #2 TO EXISTING MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES.
WHEREAS, The voters of Colorado in the November 1992 general election have passed
an amendment to the Colorado State Constitution which allows discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Amendment # 2 has the effect of nullifying existing legislation of the City
of Aspen which extended basic civil rights to all people in the areas of employment, public
accommodations, and housing; and
WHEREAS, the effect of Amendment # 2 is to legalize discrimination in Aspen on the
basis of sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, the voters of the City of Aspen have voted by a ratio exceeding 3 to 1
against Amendment # 2; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen, as a home-rule city, should be able to pass laws and
regulations which reflect the ideals of our community; and
WHEREAS, discrimination is unacceptable in our society, inconsistent with Aspen's
community values, and destructive to the lives of all people.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ASPEN, COLORADO that the Aspen City Council opposes discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation, opposes the limit on home-rule communities' rights to outlaw discrimination
as contained in Amerudment #2, opposes limits on citizens' rights to initiate anti-discrimination
ordinances, and urges all like-minded communities to join Aspen, Boulder, and Denver in a legal
suit to challenge the constitutionality of this repugnant Amendment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Attorney is hereby authorized to initiate or
join in litigation to challenge the legal validity and applicability of Amendment #2 to existing
municipal ordinances and to limit the City's legislative authority to combat discrimination.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City Council reaffirms its uncompromising
commitment to the protection of human rights for all peoples, and calls for our City government
and our community to continue demonstrating support for human rights and equal protection of
law.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on
the ~ day of ~'~-~'~, 1992.
J . Bennett, Mayor
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing
is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado, at a meeting held on the day hereinabove stated.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk