Officer told me sleeping in a car overnight in Fort Collins is illegal (misdemeanor) unless on private property with permission
Exporting and extorting of the homeless
I was speaking with a Fort Collins officer and asked about sleeping in my car. They told me it’s “illegal and a misdeamnor crime unless you are on private property with the owner’s permission.”
I’m trying to understand how that can be the law.
My understanding so far:
Sleeping in a car on public property anywhere in Fort Collins is considering “camping” under city rules which is a misdemeanor crime.
Private property with permission is generally allowed for 7 days.
There are no legal public options at all for overnight vehicle sleeping.
Questions:
If shelter capacity is unavailable, does that affect enforcement in Fort Collins at all?
Is there actually any lawful scenario for sleeping in a vehicle on public property in Fort Collins (outside of private permission)?
Are there any campsites that a reasonably priced within 30-45 min? 30/night
Would appreciate clarification from anyone familiar with Fort Collins ordinances or Colorado municipal enforcement practices.
If possible, references to specific ordinances or case interpretations would be appreciated.
*I am an ordinary citizen. Not a lawyer.
** I saw what looked to be a 90 year old homeless person parked in the Foco Walmart handicap spot during the day, she looked like she was dying and trying to get some shut eye in a hot messy car. Maybe had ac idk. Really broke my heart.
*** Posted by a redditor https://www.npr.org/2024/06/28/nx-s1-4992010/supreme-court-homeless-punish-sleeping-encampments
*** Here is the exact verbiage posted by a redditor.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to camp or to knowingly permit any person to camp, as defined in § 17-181, on private property within the City, except on the premises of a residential dwelling with the permission of the property owner.
You are not allowed to camp on private property, with one exception. You are allowed to camp on property of a residential dwelling (with permission). That is subject to max 7 consecutive days, 14 total days w/in a year. You can set up a tent on a residential property, with permission.
Further, it carves out a section for vehicles. Here is the exact verbiage.
It is unlawful for any person to occupy any motor vehicle, recreational vehicle or trailer or knowingly permit any person to occupy any motor vehicle or recreational vehicle or trailer, as defined in § 20-104 of the Code, on private property for living or sleeping purposes unless:
(1) such vehicle or trailer is located in a manufactured home park or RV park or campground where vehicle spaces are provided and where such occupancy does not violate any other City, state or federal regulation; or
(2) such vehicle or trailer is located on the premises of a residential dwelling in compliance with § 20-105 and the occupancy thereof is with the permission of the property owner and does not exceed seven (7) consecutive days or a total of fourteen (14) days in a calendar year.
In essence, you cannot camp in public, and you cannot camp on private property (the one exception above).