The city of Aspen is embarking on modernizing its non-discrimination ordinance, which is considered one of the most progressive of its time and has served this community well for the past 47 years.
Adopted in 1977, the ordinance was cutting edge and was the state’s first anti-gay discrimination law, followed by Boulder in 1987 and Denver in 1991. Based on this instrumental ordinance, the city was one of the successful plaintiffs in Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620, 116 S.Ct.1620 (1996), which overturned the Colorado state constitutional amendment that was passed by the voters. This amendment would have permitted discrimination based on affectional and sexual orientation.
The current ordinance prohibits discriminatory practices related to employment, housing, and public services and accommodations. Ordinance No. 60 describes discrimination or to discriminate as meaning, without limitation, “any act which because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical handicaps, affectional or sexual orientation, family responsibility, or political affiliation, results in the unequal treatment or separation of any person or denies, prevents, limits or otherwise adversely affects, the benefit or enjoyment by any person of employment, ownership or occupancy of real property or public services or accommodations.”
The city has been working for over a year towards modernizing the groundbreaking ordinance from 1977. A few general themes related to the recent updates made to the ordinance include but are not limited to the expansion of protected classes, refreshing language to be increasingly inclusive throughout, and the expansion of the element of proof of discrimination based on updated legislation.
The Aspen Police Department and the Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority were included in gathering feedback for the ordinance as internal stakeholders. The proposed revised ordinance also was reviewed by two diversity, equity and inclusion consultants.
Aspen City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposed ordinance on Aug. 19, 2024. The city is seeking feedback on the ordinance language to provide the community with an opportunity to lend their voice on such matters.
On this page under "documents" on the right side you can review the current ordinance and the new draft ordinance. If you have any questions, concerns or general feedback, please share them below in the guestbook feature.
Business owners or representatives, along with property owners and managers and the general public, are invited to two virtual town hall meetings from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 12 and Thursday, July 18. Here is the information to access the meeting:
Details for the July 12 meeting:
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to join. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84162301208pwd=aStOAn5G1AIHBHCOD8vS4gtkZ6h4Di.1
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Or join by phone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
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Details for the July 18 meeting:
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to join. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84249819051pwd=iThGUpGl4xxrvtaO7CATNgyWie9y7d.1
Passcode: 81611
Or join by phone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 842 4981 9051
Passcode: 81611
International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdhlS0mt4C
La ciudad de Aspen está embarcándose en la modernización de su ordenanza antidiscriminatoria, considerada una de las más progresistas de su tiempo y que ha servido bien a esta comunidad durante los últimos 47 años.
Adoptada en 1977, esta ordenanza fue vanguardista y representó la primera ley contra la discriminación por orientación sexual en el estado, seguida por Boulder en 1987 y Denver en 1991. Basándose en esta ordenanza fundamental, la ciudad fue una de las demandantes exitosas en el caso Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620, 116 S.Ct.1620 (1996), lo cual anuló la enmienda constitucional estatal de Colorado aprobada por los votantes. Esta enmienda habría permitido la discriminación basada en la orientación afectiva y sexual.
La ordenanza actual prohíbe prácticas discriminatorias relacionadas con el empleo, la vivienda y los servicios públicos y de alojamientos. La Ordenanza No. 60 define la discriminación o el discriminar como cualquier acto que, debido a raza, color, credo, religión, ascendencia, origen nacional, sexo, edad, estado civil, discapacidad física, orientación afectiva o sexual, responsabilidad familiar o afiliación política, resulte en un trato desigual o la separación de cualquier persona, o que niegue, impida, limite o afecte adversamente el beneficio o disfrute de empleo, propiedad u ocupación de bienes raíces, servicios públicos o alojamientos.
La ciudad ha estado trabajando durante más de un año en la modernización de esta ordenanza pionera desde 1977. Algunos temas generales relacionados con las actualizaciones recientes incluyen, entre otros, la expansión de las clases protegidas, la actualización del lenguaje para ser cada vez más inclusivo y la ampliación del elemento de prueba de discriminación basado en legislación actualizada.
El Departamento de Policía de Aspen y la Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Aspen-Pitkin participaron como partes interesadas internas en la recopilación de comentarios para la ordenanza. El proyecto de ordenanza revisado también fue evaluado por dos consultores de diversidad, equidad e inclusión.
El Concilio Municipal de Aspen tiene programado discutir la ordenanza propuesta el 12 de agosto de 2024. La ciudad está buscando comentarios sobre el lenguaje de la ordenanza para brindar a la comunidad la oportunidad de expresar su opinión sobre estos asuntos.
En esta página puede revisar la ordenanza actual y el nuevo borrador de la ordenanza. Si tiene preguntas, preocupaciones o comentarios generales, favor de compartirlos a continuación.
I think it is important to begin this conversation by asking who are the categories of residents that bear the brunt of the enforcement action that need protection.
I am suggesting that the unhoused deserve standing.
great work
The City of Aspen is interested in your feedback regarding this ordinance. An FAQ is available in English and Spanish.