Voters, Judge Block Expansion of Denver's Anti-Homeless Camping Ban

Denver voters this week rejected Initiated Ordinance 303, written by chairman of the Denver Republican Party, which would have expanded the city's controversial camping ban.

1 minute read

November 5, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Cherry Creek

Jose A Feliciano / Shutterstock

Joe Rubino reports that Denver voters rejected an ordinance that would have made the city's camping ban more strict, just a few days after a judge struck down a key components of the ordinance.

Initiated Ordinance 303 "would require people to obtain written permission before camping on private property and cap the number of city-sanctioned safe outdoor camping sites for people experiencing homelessness in the city at four, requiring amenities like bathrooms at each," according to Rubini. Garrett Flicker, chairman of the Denver Republican Party, wrote the ordinance.

On Sunday, two days before the citywide election, Denver District Court Judge Darryl Shockley struck down a section of the ordinance "that would have mandated that the city had 72 hours — three days — to respond if a resident filed a complaint about an unsanctioned encampment," explains Rubino. "The measure would have given residents the power to sue the city if action wasn’t taken in that window."

The outcome of the election stood out compared to a vote in Austin in May 2021, when voters supported criminal penalties for camping in public.

Denver has been contesting the boundaries of its camping ban since approved by the council in 2021—the city briefly rescinded the ban at the beginning of 2020 to adjust its practices to the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Martin v. City of Boise.

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 in The Denver Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Dense multistory residential buildings in hilly San Francisco, California.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean

Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

July 7 - The San Francisco Standard

Blue self-driving Ford Transit van shuttle in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US

A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

July 7 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA