CITY OF LITTLETON, COLORADO v. Z. J. GIFTS D-4, L. L. C., dba CHRISTAL'S, 541 U.S. 774
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CITY OF LITTLETON, COLORADO v. Z. J. GIFTS D-4, L. L. C., dba CHRISTAL'S
CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT
No. 02-1609. Argued March 24, 2004--Decided June 7, 2004
Under petitioner city's "adult business license" ordinance, the city's decision to deny a license may be appealed to the state district court pursuant to Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. Respondent Z. J. Gifts D-4, L. L. C. (hereinafter ZJ), opened an adult bookstore in a place not zoned for adult businesses. Instead of applying for a license, ZJ filed suit attacking the ordinance as facially unconstitutional. The Federal District Court rejected ZJ's claims, but the Tenth Circuit held, as relevant here, that state law does not assure the constitutionally required "prompt final judicial decision."
Held: The ordinance meets the First Amendment's requirement that such a licensing scheme assure prompt judicial review of an administrative decision denying a license. Pp. 3-9.