Local News

Colorado Lawmakers Drop Plans For Permanent Fence Around Capitol

March 30, 2021 / 12:39 PM MDT / CBS Colorado

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DENVER (CBS4/AP) -- The Colorado Legislature has halted plans to build permanent fencing around most of the state Capitol following criticism from residents.

(credit: CBS)

CBS4's Andrea Flores first reported about the potential of a permanent fence in January. Lawmakers had considered allocating over $1 million to erect a wrought-iron fence around the building as part of an $8 million budget plan for security upgrades.

The proposal gained some momentum following a summer of protests.

DENVER, CO - MAY 30: People set up a makeshift barrier in front of the Colorado State Capitol as protests against the death of George Floyd continue for a third night on May 30, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. The city of Denver enacted a curfew for Saturday and Sunday nights and Governor Jared Polis activated the Colorado National Guard in hopes of stopping protests that have wreaked havoc across the city. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

Democratic House Speaker Alec Garnett says the Legislature will now embark on what he called a public process about the topic. He stopped short of committing that the fence plan is scrapped, but did say it is stopped for now.