47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

We retired to Colorado from Connecticut and have enjoyed (almost) every minute. However, Colorado has a knack of leaving its residents and guests speechless; the amazing views, diverse culture, and amazing opportunities make for a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else? Another Colorado gem sure to leave you in awe (but not in a good way)? A few of our bizarre, unexplainable laws.

1. It is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor. (Denver)
The guy down the street is fair game, though.

2. It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence. (Statewide)
Don't drink and ride; you may spill your Frost Brewed Coors Light.

3. Throwing missiles at cars is illegal. (Alamosa)
Should we be concerned that this isn't a national law?

4. Car dealers may not show cars on a Sunday. (Statewide)
We actually thought that this to be a national law until talking my brother in Kansas, I now know otherwise.

5. Boulders may not be rolled on city property. (Boulder)
Sorry, Boulderites; no Indiana Jones role playing for you!

6. It is illegal to let a dandelion grow within the city limits. (Pueblo)
How will they make their wishes?

7. Catapults may not be fired at buildings. (Aspen)
..at least you can still fire a missile at their car? We guess????

8. One may not mutilate a rock in a state park. (Statewide)
We suspect this was directed at CU students painting rock formations?

9. Keeping a house where unmarried persons are allowed to have sex is prohibited. (Alamosa)
You need to head elsewhere?

10. Residents may not own chickens, but may own up to three turkeys. (Louisville)
Potato, potahto. A fowl is a foul.

11. Couches may not be placed on outside porches. (Boulder)
Tough luck, Fido. Probably pointed at CU students again?

12. It is illegal for a man to kiss a woman while she is asleep. (Logan County)
This law came about after a wife became tired of her husband's morning breath (obviously).

13. It is illegal to bring your horse or pack mule above the ground floor of any building. (Cripple Creek)
Other 4 legged beasts are permitted?

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Which --or how many?-- of these have you been convicted of, Foxoradan?

Is the prison food still as bad as it was that time I got put away for bringing my mule up to my 105th floor penthouse?

Bubba: ....what're you in for, Gray?
Gray: for loaning my vacuum cleaner to the lady next -- and the judge gave me 47 to life!!! ....what about you, Bubba?
Bubba: I let a dandelion grow in my yard. I swore they'd never take me alive, but here I am, sittin' in stir with a sick, depraved vacuum cleaner loaner like you! There ain't no justice in this world!!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Just to clarify...

#3. "Missles" refers to "any object forcibly propelled by some mechanical means at a vehicle". So it's not just Sidewinders, Patriots and ICBMs.

#7. "...it’s illegal to launch things at a person or property through not only catapults, but also slingshots, blowguns, and good ol’ fashioned snowball fights. The catapult mention makes this law seem a little obscure, but it’s essentially designed to keep things from being launched at local residents and visitors.' I'll confess that I've personally broken this law, having engaged in a snowball fight in Aspen at one time or another.

Also, in Denver they can cite and fine you for spitting on the sidewalk.

Sorry, but supposedly #1 is an Internet myth that was debunked some time ago.

#10 may be a myth too... or maybe the law was changed. Louisville residents are allowed to keep up to 6 hens.

We have our share of strange laws on the books here in California too:

It is illegal for women to drive vehicles while wearing a housecoat in all of California
San Diego homeowners who have Christmas lights on their houses past February 2 may be fined up to $250
It is illegal to pour salt on a highway in Hermosa Beach
It is prohibited to put anything other than cars in garages in Long Beach
In Los Angeles, it is illegal to wash your neighbor's car if you have not received their permission first
In Blythe, you can only wear cowboy boots if you own at least two cows
It is illegal to walk a camel down Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 P.M.
In Arcadia, peacocks have the right of way in all driveways and roadways
It is illegal to grow oleander in Norco
In Walnut, it is illegal for men and boys to dress as females without a permit from the sheriff
In Long Beach, it is illegal to curse on a mini-golf course
In Los Angeles, you cannot hunt moths under street lamps
In Fresno, visitors cannot bother lizards at city parks
Walking an elephant down Market Street in San Francisco is illegal unless the elephant is on a leash
In Berkeley, it is illegal to whistle for a lost canary before 7:00 A.M.

I'm sure every US state and city have their share of laws like these. So do other countries.

In Singapore chewing gum used to be considered contraband and you could be fined or jailed for even bringing it into the country. I have heard they have relaxed this law and allow you to bring chewing gum in through customs.... just don't chew it while you're there and don't ever drop the wrapper on the ground. It is still illegal to eat or drink anything while on the subway/light rail system. And you can be ticketed and fined if you fail to flush a public toilet after using it!

In Dubai coffee is considered contraband, if you try to bring it with you into the country (we smuggled a lb. of Starbucks dark roast to my stepdaughter when she was living there). Also you can be arrested and your camera gear seized if you take a photo of an unrelated woman in traditional garb who is not wearing her veil (don't ask me how I know!), as they sometimes do in public parks and similar. Oh, and one of the worst driving offenses possible would be hitting and killing a camel. If that were to happen, I was advised go straight to the airport and get out of the country immediately. In contrast, if you were to accidentally hit and kill one of the foreign workers (ex-pats), it would likely just get you a ticket and fine.

What's weird and/or humorous is to imagine exactly what sort of event led to many of these laws.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Is it still illegal in Connecticut to whistle underwater?

I believe it's still illegal to hunt camels in Arizona.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I see these lists from time to time, but no one ever cites to the actual statute or ordinance so you can check to see if they are real.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

That’s because we don’t want to know. Haha! 🥴😵‍💫😏

Rileychas Loc: San Diego, California

There are actually wild peacocks roaming around Arcadia, saw them outside the LA Arboretum last year

JBRIII

There are lots of these most everywhere. Why change ridculous or impossible laws. Camels wre released in AZ way back, but none found for a long time.

Some laws are serious however. In MD they are now trying to remove one against same sex sex. This in one of the first, if not the first state, to vote in SS marriage. Also, supreme court threw out all such laws decades ago. They want to remove it, because it is use for basically harassment, cases thrown out by courts, but still need to go to court, etc.

Bob Smith Loc: Banjarmasin

Its ok for you lot, over here in England I have to go and do archery practice every Sunday on the village green or get hung drawn and quartered.

JBRIII

At least you can only be sentenced once.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

There is a law in the UK that all black (taxi cabs) must carry a hay bale in their trunk. The law is approximately 200 years old, and dates to the time when taxi cabs, (Hackney Carriages) were powered by horses, and many drivers neglected to feed them often enough. The law was put in place so as to ensure that they always had something to feed them with. The law is still in place to this day, (although no longer enforced)! Have a great day all!
Ray.

TonyBot

In Maine, a l-o-o-o-n-g time ago, Bingo was illegal so everyone would gather, instead, at the "BEANO" hall!

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

It's illegal to kiss your wife on Sunday in Massachusetts.

NickelCigar Loc: Lenexa, Kansas

Is it OK if the horse is drunk?