Something is missing from a lot of the walkable downtown business zones in cities around Colorado: tobacco smoke.
John Aguilar reports on an emerging trend of smoking bans in downtowns around Colorado. The latest ban took effect on January 1 in Littleton, following earlier examples in Golden, Boulder, and Fort Collins.
Opposite those actions, according to Aguilar, "other Colorado cities and towns with similar compact, walkable downtown business zones that appear ripe for the imposition of smoking restrictions aren't even talking about it." Examples of the more permissive cities in the Denver metro area include Arvada, Louisville, and Castle Rock. Moreover, "[i]n Denver, with the most visited downtown in the entire state, talk about making the 16th Street Mall a no-smoking zone has been stuck in the early stages for at least a year."
The article provides a lot more on the larger political debate on either side of smoking bans, as well as specifics of the laws as enacted in some of these examples.
FULL STORY: Are downtown smoking bans a trend in Colorado?
Colorado Zoning Reform Yields Slow Results — For Now
An ambitious set of zoning reforms largely fell flat as developers rushed to submit project applications before new affordable housing requirements took effect.
Major Redesign Planned for Denver-Area Bus System
The Regional Transportation District will make significant changes to bus frequency and routes in an effort to make transit accessible to more Colorado residents.
Colorado Proposal Would Fund Free Summer Transit
The state is weighing a plan to offer free transit rides during ozone-heavy months in an effort to improve the state's air quality.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service