Colo. Sex Offender Residency Restrictions Ruled Unconstitutional

Judge rules city essentially made it impossible for sex offenders to live there.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — An ordinance that restricts where convicted sex offenders can live in Englewood was invalidated this week by a federal district judge.

Judge R. Brooke Jackson ruled that the ordinance, which made it illegal for certain types of registered sex offenders to live within proximity of a large number of locations where children might be present, violated the Colorado constitution because it "leaves essentially no place for offenders to live."

Specifically, the Englewood ordinance prevents sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of any school, park or playground; within 1,000 feet of any licensed day care center, recreation center or swimming pool; or from living at any property located next to a bus stop, walk-to-school route, or recreational trail.

(Hat tip to Hugh Akston)