Put Down the Offensive Sidewalk Chalk!

A homeowners association in Denver wants to ban "offensive" and "distracting" sidewalk chalk...really. Rather than complain directly to the parents of children drawing on the shared courtyard concrete, someone in the neighborhood made a formal complaint. Now a lawyer (yes seriously, a lawyer is involved) representing the HOA in Stapleton says, "The association is trying to go down a path of do no harm and prevent the sidewalk art as opposed to... until such time as it can get together and discuss it." This isn't spray paint, for gosh sakes! A cup of water and all the offensive and distracting 'sidewalk art' is gone!

"It's summertime and God forbid my daughter is drawing flowers, her name and hearts," said Sarah Cohen, the mom of a 3-year-old who loves to draw on the sidewalk. She says they moved there specifically because it was a family neighborhood. No one has complained to her about her daughter's drawing so she has no plans to make her stop. Good for mom! Really, if there are cases of real offensive drawings, try to find out who did it, don't punish all the kids.

The HOA says because it is a shared space, anything that offends, disturbs or interferes with the peaceful enjoyment isn't allowed. Somehow, it's hard to believe that sidewalk chalk drawings interfere with anyone's peaceful enjoyment. The residents will have to wait until a new meeting of the HOA to find out if their kids are allowed to deface the courtyard anymore.

Check out the video from CBS Denver HERE.

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