BOULDER — Shutting down the University of Colorado’s campus to visitors Friday thwarts the public’s right to protest government policy, Mark Silverstein, legal director of the Colorado chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said Monday.

CU announced last week that the grassy area of Norlin Quad — which in past years has drawn more than 10,000 people for the unsanctioned 4/20 marijuana smoke-out — will be closed entirely, and the school will apply a fish-based fertilizer to the lawn.

The entire CU-Boulder campus will be closed to the public, except for visitors who have gained permission ahead of time.

Silverstein was mum Monday as to whether the ACLU will resort to legal action to fight the closure, saying it’s his office’s policy to not talk to journalists about lawsuits that are not filed. But he raised concerns about the university’s tactics.

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