Bar owners have cash to challenge smoke ban

Publication Date: 2006-05-10

• Author:Bianca Prieto
• Publication:Rocky Mountain News

A group of tavern owners has raised $25,000 from supporters across the state in a crusade to stop the statewide smoking ban scheduled to take effect July 1.

The Coalition for Equal Rights plans to spend at least $20,000 to retain a lawyer to challenge the law.

The first step in the plan is to file a lawsuit seeking an injunction against the state of Colorado, based on the argument that the ban is unconstitutional.

The law will ban smoking in bars, restaurants and most workplaces. It will allow smoking only in casinos, cigar bars and a lounge at Denver International Airport.