Smoking bill has a clear path

Publication Date: 2006-03-18

• Author:Jim Hughes
• Publication:Denver (CO) Post

Gov. Bill Owens will sign a statewide smoking ban into law, he said Friday after lawmakers gave their final approval.

Though Owens said he would prefer to see cities and counties devise their own smoking policies, he believes most Coloradans are behind this proposal. The smoking ban would go into effect July 1.

"I think there's a consensus in the state, if it's a somewhat narrow issue down here" at the Capitol, the governor told reporters Friday. "It's probably time just to put this issue aside."

The vote in the Colorado House of Representatives - 38-24 - was recorded after the final installment in one of the most well-worn debates at the Capitol this year.