Denver passes the "Freedom to Walk or Roll" bill, decriminalizing jaywalking

Denver, Colorado has just become the latest area to decriminalize jaywalking. The city council recently passed the “Freedom to Walk and Roll” bill, although crossing outside of an intersection still remains illegal under Colorado state law.

You can read the full story on the Denver Post.

“It replaces criminalization with language that advises safe crossing of roads rather than requiring it,” CdeBaca said. “It encourages law enforcement to make enforcing state-level jaywalking laws their lowest priority.”

Bills like this are only one step to making our public spaces safe for everyone. Most people cross outside of intersections because they have no choice–there either isn’t a crossing or there are no safe sidewalks. But even as those issues remain, decriminalization of walking means one less problem for pedestrians to worry about.