The battle over a proposed law that would ban unauthorized camping in Denver is heating up, even before the ordinance has cleared the City Council’s committee process.

On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado sent a letter to City Council members, asking them to reject the measure, which they say criminalizes homelessness.

Over the weekend, the city’s Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation — a citywide network of more than 100 registered neighborhood organizations — asked the council to delay a proposed May 7 vote on the ordinance so the group can hold a public forum on the issue.

“I respect the decision,” said Councilman Albus Brooks, who is sponsoring the ordinance. “I am also listening to downtown residents to see how they want to weigh in on this. Right now, everything is going according to schedule.”

Today the council’s health and safety committee will vet the ordinance and evaluate how it would impact services.

And on Thursday, a commission on the homeless — including social-service providers, government officials and business leaders — will meet in the City and County Building to further discuss the issue.

The legislative process is expected to begin in earnest next week, when the Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will consider moving the measure to the full council.

If the schedule holds, the council will hold a public hearing on the issue April 30, with final consideration penciled in for May 7.

“We’re not going to wait,” said Councilman Charlie Brown, who supports the camping ban. “If you delay this, this will never get done.”

On Monday, the council approved an $850,000 contract for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless — money from a federal grant for rental assistance and security deposits for 95 eligible households.

Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com