After several months of discussion and debate, Edgewater City Council passed a new smoking ordinance July 8 on a 5-2 vote, greatly restricting where smoking can occur around businesses and public spaces in the City of Edgewater. “It’s about health. It’s about keeping our air clean for our visitors, our citizens, and our families” said Edgewater Mayor Bonnie McNulty.

Effective July 20, 2010, it is now illegal to smoke in all public places and buildings including retail and commercial establishments. Further, smoking within a 20′ radius from all entryways of buildings is also prohibited. Rather than attempt a list of buildings and spaces where smoking is prohibited it is probably easiest to state where smoking is allowed—private homes, residences and automobiles unless that space is also used for child or day care. Outdoor areas of a business property outside the 20′ entryway prohibited smoking radius is another area where smoking would be allowed.

From the Edgewater edition of the Denver Post’s YourHub publication—Edgewater continues Jefferson County’s leadership on supporting comprehensive smoke-free laws, free of the exemptions found in the State law. “The smoke-free movement in Colorado has been led by local communities, such as Arvada and Edgewater, which have proven to be role models for other communities” said Donna Viverette, of Jefferson County Public Health. “We hope more communities will follow Edgewater’s lead in protecting their workers and residents from the deadly harm of second-hand smoke.”