HomeMy WebLinkAboutordinance.council.025-19 ORDINANCE N0. 25
(Series of 2019)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
AMENDING CHAPTER 15.04 OF THE ASPEN MUNICIPAL CODE,
MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES AND PENALTIES,BY THE ADDITION OF SECTION
15.04.740. DEADLY WEAPONS IN CITY BUILDINGS PROHIBITED.
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen (the "City") is a legally and regularly created, established,
organized and existing municipal corporation under the provisions of Article XX of the
Constitution of the State of Colorado and the home rule charter of the City (the "Charter"); and
WHEREAS, Chapter 15.04 sets forth Miscellaneous Offenses and Penalties that apply to all
land lying and being within the City and all other land outside the City limits over which the City
has jurisdiction and control; and
WHEREAS,in order to provide appropriate levels of security for its visitors,employees, and
City officials, and given recent events throughout the nation involving the random use of deadly
weapons,the City Council has determined that the prohibition of the possession of deadly weapons
within City Buildings is an appropriate action to take for the safety of all its citizens, while in no
way affecting a citizen's right to possess or own a firearm; and
WHEREAS,consequently,the City Council finds that this Ordinance furthers and is necessary
for the promotion of public health, safety, and welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ASPEN,COLORADO,THAT:
Section 1: The City Council hereby amends Chapter 15.04 by the addition of the following
Section 15.04.740:
Sec. 15.04.740. Deadly Weapons in City Buildings Prohibited.
(a) No person, other than a peace officer, shall carry, bring, or possess a
deadly weapon in the City Council chambers while the Council is in session.
(b) No person, other than a peace officer, shall carry, bring or possess a
deadly weapon in any public building owned by the City and open to the public if
the city manager has posted a sign to that effect at every public entrance to the
building.
(c) "Deadly weapon" as used herein means:
(I) A firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; or
(II) A knife, bludgeon, or any other weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance,
whether animate or inanimate, that, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is ca-
pable of producing death or serious bodily injury.
(d) Until such time as C.R.S Section 18-12-201, et seq., is repealed or amended or until
the City installs such devices and personnel that restricts entry to City Buildings pursuant
to C.R.S. Section 18-12-214(4), this Section shall not apply to an individual carrying a
concealed handgun and who possesses a concealed carry permit issued pursuant to C.R.S
Section 18-12-201. Notwithstanding the possession of a concealed carry permit, this Sec-
tion shall apply to anyone who openly carries a dangerous weapon, including a handgun.
Section 2: Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this ordinance is for any reason
held invalid or unconstitutional in a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed
a separate, distinct and independent provision and shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions thereof.
Section 3. Effective Date.
Pursuant to the Aspen Municipal Charter, this ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days
following its passage.
Section 4. Existing Litigation.
This ordinance shall not have any effect on existing litigation and shall not operate as an abatement
of any action or proceeding now pending under or by virtue of the ordinances amended as herein
provided, and the same shall be construed and concluded under such prior ordinances.
Section 5. Notice
A public hearing on the ordinance was held on October 22, 2019, in the City Council Chambers,
Aspen, Colorado, fifteen(15) days prior to which hearing a public notice of the same was published
pursuant to Aspen's Municipal Code.
INTRODUCED,READ AND ORDERED PUBLISHED as provided by law,by the City Council
of the City of Aspen on the 23`d day of September 2019.
Torre, Mayor
AT T•
inda Manning, City Clerk
2
FINALLY,adopted,passed and approved this Z� day of J�kl 2019.
7NORC,
Torre, Mayor
AATT --
P c'
Linda Manning, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ames R. True, City Attorney
3