COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Is the city of Colorado Springs putting a limit on your freedom of speech?

The city attorney's office is looking at creating "free-speech zones" and limiting panhandling in the downtown core.

"The hope is that would make the downtown safer and more welcoming environment for families, citizens, shoppers downtown and help small business," Chris Melcher, the Colorado Springs City Attorney, said.

If the free-speech ordinance moves forward, the "Occupy Colorado Springs" movement could be the last group of people to voice their first amendment right in Acacia Park.

City officials are looking into whether there's a more appropriate place for protests in the future, in an effort to give the park back to families and kids.

But it's an idea that's creating some concern with the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission, who said the constitution doesn't give protection from free speech.

"The framers of the constitution wanted free speech to be in your face and incendiary and provocative. So to think that there could be "free-speech zones," even to discuss such a thing is absurd," Loring Wrible, secretary for the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission, said.

As for a "panhandling free zone," the city already has a panhandling ordinance prohibiting solicitation at outdoor cafes or when waiting to get into buildings

The new ordinance would expand on the current regulations pushing solicitors away from the downtown core. The suggested area is from Cascade Avenue to Weber Street, or Nevada Avenue and Platte Avenue south to Vermijo Avenue.

According to the city attorney, the law and courts have found governments are allowed to put restrictions on certain types of activities.

Melcher said they do it all the time, for example: you're not allowed to yell 'Fire' in a movie theater, or verbally assault someone.

City council and Mayor Bach are expected to look over the possible ordinances next week.

They will determine whether or not it goes forward.

Officials said if the "free-speech zone" moves forward they've heard the ACLU will be getting involved.