CU Denver Study Calls Homeless Laws Harsh & Ineffective

DENVER (CBS4)- A study from the University of Colorado Denver states the City of Denver's current homeless laws harsh and ineffective.

The report finds that Denver's ban on sleeping or camping on city streets has led to more homeless people being ticketed and harassed by police.

This has led organizations to push what's known as "Right to Rest" legislation.

"People have a right to exist in public space and sleeping and sitting and lying down are human activities that can't be criminalized," said Denver Homeless Out Loud Terese Howard.

Rep. Joe Salazar, a Democrat representing Denver, is sponsoring a bill at the state Capitol known as the "Homeless Bill of Rights." It would void local ordinances that criminalize activities like camping and panhandling.