Boulder’s code enforcement department has issued about 200 citations since June 1 for violations of the city’s bear ordinance that requires people to obtain bear-resistant trash cans — but about 20 people have appealed their citations for various reasons.
“Not all appeals are for the ‘same’ issue,” Jennifer Riley of Boulder Code Enforcement said via email. “There have been a wide variety of reasons given for the appeal requests.”
Riley could not be reached for additional comment on Friday, but at least one person has successfully appealed their citation because she had received the ticket in spite of her trash can being broken by the garbage hauler.
The ruling requires the city to rewrite a portion of the law, but city spokesman Michael Davidson said the city is appealing the decision in Boulder District Court.
Boulder enacted the ordinance in 2014 that is intended to protect bears by reducing their ability to find food within the city and requires all trash and compost to be secured at all times.
of the ordinance west of Broadway and south of Sumac Avenue, including single family residences, apartment buildings and commercial building. Residents and business owners must obtain and properly use bear-resistant trash containers.
The fine for a first offense is $250 and doubles with each subsequent violation, reaching $1000 by the third offense.
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