The Glenwood Springs City Council decided Thursday to proceed with a smoking ban in the downtown core, but made a concession to local businesses that might have clientele who smoke late at night.
The council voted 5-1 to restrict any outdoor smoking from 5th street north of the Hotel Colorado south to 11th street and within a couple of blocks either direction from Grand Avenue. But smokers who visit downtown bars and restaurants late in the evening will be allowed to light up after 10pm.
The council heard concerns from several citizens, but weighed them against complaints about the effects of second-hand smoke on tourists and passersby and the number of cigarette butts that end up littering the downtown area.
The ban is set to go into effect the first week of August and also applies to all public parks and trails, as well as outside of schools, school bus stops and local transit bus stops.
