Colorado neighborhood bans kids from drawing sidewalk chalk art
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Colorado mom Sarah Cohen says drawing sidewalk chalk art is one of her three-year-old daughter Emerson's "simple pleasures in life."
“It’s definitely better than video games,” Cohen tells CBS Denver.
However, the homeowner's association in Cohen's neighborhood feels differently. They say Emerson's drawings, usually of hearts and flowers, are distracting and offensive blights on their community.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“My initial reaction was, ‘You have to be kidding me,’” Cohen told CBS Denver.
The association, called Innovations and Courtyard Traditions at Stapleton, temporarily banned children from drawing on sidewalks, saying anything that offends, disturbs or interferes with the peaceful enjoyment isn’t allowed on shared spaces. They say neighbors have been complaining about chalk drawings like Emerson's.
The group's attorney tells CBS Denver the association is going down a path of "do no harm" and is temporarily banning the chalk art until it is discussed in depth at a later meeting. It will then be up to the residents to decide if the art will be permanently banned.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cohen says she has not personally received any complaints from neighbors, and her daughter will continue to draw as a sort of mini protest against the temporary ban.
“It’s summertime and God forbid my daughter is drawing flowers, her name and hearts,” Cohen told CBS Denver.