Editor’s Note: This story was updated on March 11, 2026
An ordinance making vehicle camping illegal on public property received final approval from the Colorado Springs City Council March 10 by a vote of 7-2.
The measure, File 25-590, amends and rewrites sections of the city code governing camping on public property, parks, and streams and riparian areas while unifying them into one law with consistent policies and penalties for violators. The new law includes vehicle camping, which had generated increasing neighborhood complaints and was the central concern of community opposition to the measure.
This ordinance was previously approved on Feb. 24 by a vote of 7-2 and moved forward to its second reading, occurring on March 10. City Council previously postponed voting on this ordinance. On November 10, 2025, the Council voted 5-4 to postpone further discussion until May 12 but subsequently decided to move reconsideration to an earlier date.
Critics argued the ordinance criminalized homelessness while not contributing any solutions to the problem. Proponents argued the measure addresses community safety concerns and clarifies the ordinance for law enforcement.