A bill that would ban smoking statewide in public places such as restaurants, bars and casinos was introduced in the Senate on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dan Grossman, D-Denver, held a news conference to unveil it.
Also Tuesday, the Denver City Council voted 10-1 to support the legislation to ban indoor smoking.
Grossman said he was pushing ahead in the Senate even though the chamber’s 17 Republicans have said they are against it. Senate Minority Leader Mark Hillman, R-Burlington, said his caucus remained opposed to Senate Bill 207. Grossman would need all 18 Democrats to support his bill for it to survive on the floor. Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, said he would probably vote against it unless it is changed to allow voters to decide in a referendum.
