EDITORIAL: A smoking ban in 2006?

Publication Date: 2006-01-13

• Publication:Boulder (CO) Daily Camera

Odds improve for reasonable statewide prohibition

One of the last casualties of the 2005 state legislative session was a bill to prohibit indoor smoking in most public places. A similar proposal stands a better chance of approval in 2006.

The measure introduced last year by state Sen. Dan Grossman, D-Denver, would have banned smoking . . .

Hillman is now the state treasurer, and his successor as Senate Republican leader, Sen. Andy McElhany, of Colorado Springs, is ready to compromise on the issue. Also, this year's principal sponsor will be a Republican, Rep. Mike May, of Parker (with Grossman as the Senate sponsor). Both parties know that they can expect a citizen initiative ­ and an electorate sympathetic to reform ­ if they don't act during the 2006 session. . . .

Still, the minority leader did pause to mention May's bill as one of his party's priorities for this session. With Democrats already on board, this should be the year that a reasonable bill becomes a good law.