A new county ordinance – effective immediately – is a proactive measure to ensure only the planned, scheduled, and documented arrival of commercial passenger vehicles in unincorporated Douglas County.
During a Special Business Meeting Tuesday, April 2, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners voted unanimously on the second reading to enact the ordinance, which limits the unloading of commercial passengers in unplanned locations. The new ordinance is intended to proactively address the national migrant crisis – which, by the end of January 2024 saw more than 40,000 migrants arriving in Denver, more per capita than any other city in the United States, according to the New York Times.
Under the ordinance, the driver of a commercial vehicle may not stop and unload passengers in unincorporated Douglas County other than at planned, scheduled and documented destinations. Drivers who violate any section of the ordinance commit a civil infraction as defined in State Law and may incur a fine of up to $1,000. The vehicle may be deemed a public nuisance under the law and may be subject to seizure.
With the passing of the second reading Tuesday, the ordinance goes into effect immediately. This ordinance process is defined for local governments in Colorado State Statute.
This ordinance is the second of two actions the Board is taking to address the national migrant crisis at the local level. In March, the Board also decided to take legal action so that local law enforcement could fully cooperate with federal immigration officials.
Your community’s overall wellbeing is at the forefront of these tough decisions as your Board of Douglas County Commissioners works to address local impacts of the national migrant crisis. Watch a Live Town Hall from March to learn how your community is working together to address homelessness and to proactively address this national issue.