Camping Previously Allowed in Denver Park

File photo - Not Denver - Get the right kind of tents.

Both Hardheaded Hickenlooper ("we might just turn on the sprinklers if they don't leave by 11:00pm. Hehe.") and Mealy-Mouthed Madison (call 311) have repeatedly used the tired argument “If we let you do it then we would have to let everyone do it” as a reason to not allow Tent State to camp in City Park during the DNC.

A little research shows that camping has been allowed in Civic Center Park as recently as 2006.

Protesters camp on eve of parade

American Indians and their supporters peacefully came from the four corners of the state Capitol and the city and county building to camp out at Veterans Park Friday on the eve of Denver's Columbus Day Parade.

And as if to give its blessing - for logistical reasons - the state's Division of Central Services decided on Thursday to extend the permit so that the organizers opposed to the Columbus Day parade could set up their giant teepees and tents in Civic Center and stay overnight.

The permits initially granted were only from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, and Denver and state authorities had indicated they were going to enforce the permits' hours.

"We didn't ask for (the extension)," Glenn Morris, American Indian Movement of Colorado organizer, said. "They unilaterally gave it to us."

According to an e-mail sent to the organizers, the central services division decided to let the protestors camp overnight to avoid the hassles of having to pack up their tents and belongings on Friday night and return today."

So by their own argument they should allow Tent State to camp in City Park.

P.S. Turning on the sprinklers would be reckless endangerment since State Reg 84 prevents human contact with recycled water. Sounds like a lawsuit in the making.