Legal
Colorado ACLU Cases

Legal Department Docket, 2002-Present

Case Name: Citizens for Peace in Space v. City of Colorado Springs
Case Number: 04-M-0464 (OES), United States District Court, District of Colorado; No. 05-1391, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
ACLU Case Number: 2003-17

Description: This lawsuit asserts that Colorado Springs violated the First Amendment when it denied a request from six peace and justice activists that they be permitted to hold signs on the public sidewalk across from the Broadmoor Hotel for one hour during the NATO conference that was held on October 8-9, 2003. For four days beginning October 7, the City blocked streets, set up barricades, and imposed an unprecedented "security zone" that extended for two full city blocks on all sides of the perimeter of the Broadmoor Hotel property. To reach their homes, residents of the "security zone" were required to pass through checkpoints staffed by police and armed military guards. Persons who did not live in the cordoned-off area and were not associated with the conference were forbidden to enter. Media representatives with pre-approved press credentials were permitted to pass through the security checkpoints. The suit charges that critics of military policy -who were forbidden to enter the "security zone" - were banished to a location three full blocks from the entrance to the conference hotel, out of sight, where the NATO delegates would not see them, hear them, or even know they were there.

After the trial, the dirtict court ruled that the challenged restrictions did not violate the First Amendment. After an appeal, the Tenth Cicuit affirmed.

Issues: Freedom of Speech; Right to Petition the Government

Published Decision: Citizens for Peace in Space v. City of Colorado Springs, 477 F.3d 1212 (10th Cir. 2007)

ACLU of Colorado Attorneys: Ed Ramey, Mari Newman, Mark Silverstein

Links to Selected Documents:

ACLU letter to City of Colorado Springs, October 1, 2003

News Release, March 15, 2004: "ACLU Files First Amendment Suit Over 'Security Zone' at NATO Conference"

ACLU Complaint, filed April 15, 2004

ACLU Opening Brief, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

ACLU Reply Brief, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Citizens for Peace in Space v. City of Colorado Springs, 477 F.3d 1212 (10th Cir. 2007)