ALAMOSA — An ordinance that sets curfews at all city parks, trails, open spaces and dog parks and prohibits dangerous and or deadly weapons in all city parks and recreation facilities in Alamosa was passed by the city council on first reading during Wednesday night’s meeting.

In the past, hours for the parks and recreation facilities have been set by policy by the city of Alamosa. The same holds true for safety provisions regarding weapons.

As explained by Andy Rice, director of Alamosa Parks and Recreation when presenting the ordinance to the council, recent incidents of violence that occurred last year in two different parks in the city sparked a conversation between Parks and Recreation and the Alamosa Police Department (APD).

Specifically, last year, a youth allegedly shot someone in Carroll Park, and, in an unrelated incident, a juvenile was taken into custody after stabbing the proprietor of a carnival being held at Cole Park.

Although infrequent, the violence of the situations and their impact on public safety prompted the discussion of what measures should be put in place.

As Rice explained, currently parks are open 24 hours. Although camping in public parks is prohibited, APD officers have encountered individuals who claimed they were not camping, they were “napping”, which put officers in the position of having to discern whether further engagement was required.

As APD Sergeant Squires told council, setting hours “gives us a reason to contact people and check out what they’re doing.”

It is also believed that the curfew will reduce vandalism.

If passed, Ordinance 4-2024 will set hours for city parks from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the exception of special events that have been reviewed and approved by city staff on a case-by-case basis.

Overnight camping, tents, enclosures, or other unpermitted structures such as “bouncy castles” or the sale of goods and services are prohibited, unless otherwise posted or authorized by Alamosa Parks and Recreation.

Open space and dog parks will be open from dawn to dusk, unless otherwise posted or authorized by Alamosa Parks and Recreation.

There is a caveat built into the ordinance that pertains to “transient,” use of parks and open spaces, citing runners and walkers as an example. “There are a lot of people who like to run or walk on paths in the park or the trails,” Rice said.

As worded in the document given to council members ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting, “Like most rules and regulations, enforcement is at the discretion of law enforcement and would be used when appropriate versus prohibitive towards exercise and wellness type use.”

As its title, “Setting Official Hours for Public Use of Alamosa Parks and Open Spaces and Prohibiting Deadly Weapons in all Parks, Open Space and Recreation Facilities," states, Ordinance 4-2024 also bans weapons in parks and recreation facilities including knives or any other dangerous instrument capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds having a blade of over 3.5 inches.

An exception is provided for hunting or fishing knives carried for sports use.

Except for law enforcement officers in the lawful discharge of their duties, possession or use of deadly weapons are also prohibited. As defined in C.R.S. § 18-1-901(3)(e) a deadly weapon includes firearms, bludgeons, or any other weapon intended to be used or capable of death or serious bodily injury.

The ordinance makes exceptions for bows and arrows permitted at the archery range. And licensed concealed carry of firearms is permitted but is also discouraged.

Most Saturdays, the Alamosa Family Recreation Center is packed with kids and families participating in group activities. There is no reason for weapons to be present when a sizable population of families is congregated. This ordinance would in theory help deter the threat of violence.

The Director of Parks and Recreation is empowered to make minor amendments to the rules without approval from the city council, but any amendments changing the prohibition on weapons, alcohol or drugs will require council involvement.

A list of the twenty-five properties, including parks, recreation parks and facilities can be found as an attachment to the ordinance listed on the agenda for April 3, 2024. That can be found at www.cityofalamosa.org/city-council/agendas.

Ordinance 4-2024 is scheduled for a second reading, including public comment, during the April 17, meeting to be held in council chambers at 300 Hunt Ave. in Alamosa.