Turning Point for Smokefree Colorado Bill

After coming within two votes of victory last year, CoPIRG and our allies in the Smokefree Colorado coalition are working to pass a bill that would require smokefree restaurants and bars throughout the state.

A string of local victories, including the adoption of smokefree workplace ordinances in Boulder, Fort Collins, Pueblo, Greeley and nine other cities in recent years, have raised hopes that the Smokefree Colorado coalition might prevail in this year’s Legislature.

Adding to the reasons for optimism, the bill’s chief opponent, Sen. Mark Hillman, is no longer in the Legislature.

Last year, Sen. Hillman was able to deliver his party’s votes against the bill, sealing its fate. Now that Sen. Hillman is gone and more cities and towns have moved forward with their workplace smoking bans, the CoPIRG-backed legislation appears ripe for passage.

“If we succeed, Colorado families will be able to walk into any restaurant in the state without worrying about the dangers of second-hand smoke, no matter where in Colorado they live,” said CoPIRG’s Rex Wilmouth.