DENVER -- The Denver City Council was expecting a heated meeting Monday night to discuss banning exotic animals after a 15-year-old girl started an initiative aimed at stopping the circus from coming to Denver.

Heather Herman, her parents and other volunteers from Youth Opposed to Animal Acts gathered more than 6,000 signatures -- enough to put the issue on the ballot in August.

"I've always cared about animals and just thought of them traveling in smaller cages and I just always thought that was wrong," Herman (pictured, right) said.

Like many animal rights activists, Herman believes that circus animals are abused, and proposed that the city and county of Denver ban wild and exotic animals from being put on display. The language on the ordinance states that the Denver Zoo, Ocean Journey, the stock show and other accredited organizations are exempt from the ban so the the lions, tigers and other exotic animals on display there would not be affected. But still, some city officials are against outlawing the circus.

"I don't know if we want an ordinance that prevents the circus from coming to Denver because then, does it just go to Adams county or one of the other surrounding counties? And then we just lose the opportunity in Denver to bring people into the city," said councilwoman Kathleen Mackenzie.

Although some may call the proposal a waste of time, Mackenzie said anyone who gathers enough signatures has the right to put anything on the ballot.

"One of the pitfalls and maybe one of the strengths of the initiative ordinance is that you can initiate an ordinance on just about anything," she said.

Heather said her main goal is to help animals.

"I see it more as I am just trying to make a difference and if they want to come in and give their opinions and stuff and everyone is entitled to their opinions," said Herman.

The ban will be put before voters in August but there's a public hearing Monday night so both sides can address the issue.

A spokeswoman for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus said that the group will work from now until August to educate voters. They plan to start with Monday's public hearing.

"This proposed ban is a solution in search of a problem as the vast majority of circus animals are well cared for and pose no danger. Enacting the ordinance would deny the people of Denver the opportunity to choose what type of entertainment they will and will not attend. Attending the circus, or the rodeo or stock show, like the choice of what kind of food to eat or clothes to wear, is a personal choice, and not one that should be determined by city ordinances," said Cassie Folk, with Ringling Brothers.

"Ringling Bros., along other circuses and zoos, is subject to stringent animal welfare regulations under the Animal Welfare Act. The U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts regular unannounced inspections of our animals and the animal compound, and in the 30 years under current ownership, Ringling Bros. has never been found in violation for abuse, neglect or mistreatment of our animals. In fact, in all aspects of animal care and safety, Ringling Bros. meets or exceeds all federal animal welfare standards. In addition, Ringling Bros. must and does comply with numerous state and local animal welfare regulations," she said.

The city council has no say on the proposal so no matter what happens at Monday's meeting, the issue will be on the ballot in seven months. Fifteen communities have similar bans, but no large cities have such an ordinance.