The Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 to give final approval on banning car camping on public streets and parks.
The ban extends the city's camping ban, aimed at curbing homelessness, to sleeping in vehicles parked on public roads. It also expands the definitions of illegal camping and the grounds on which someone could be cited for illegally camping.
Under the ordinance, a person convicted of car camping could receive a ticket or spend up to 10 days in jail. A person could also have their vehicle impounded as a result of the ordinance.
The language in the code says evidence of human habitation can include the presence of pillows, blankets or personal hygiene items.
Resident Aaron Drake spoke against the measure. He told council he’s recently unemployed and lives in his car.
“I'm doing my best, and I think that there's a future that's bright for me, but not if I get impounded and start getting tickets in the next two weeks,” Drake said.
This vote follows the last regular meeting, where council heard hours of public comment on the issue. The two no votes remained the same, with councilors Nancy Henjum and Kimberly Gold voting against it.
The ordinance now heads to the mayor's office for consideration.
