Get Real Colorado in collaboration with children from the Adams County School District 14 and Boys and Girls Clubs have been working to raise awareness of the effects of smoking and second hand smoking. As a result of this work, children from the School District 14 presented to City Council and requested that City Council consider some type of action to discourage smoking in our local parks and trails. Following a presentation on December 13th City council deliberated and directed staff to draft an ordinance banning smoking in city parks.There is significant data available to the public which suggests there are significant health risks related to second hand smoking as well as environmental risks posed by improperly discarded cigarette butts in public places. At the direction of the Commerce City Council, staff has prepared Ordinance No. 1851 for City Council's consideration to work toward addressing the issue of smoking in parks. Monday will be the second reading of this ordinance, it is expected to pass and go into effect.
