West
Weird laws in Colorado, including one against throwing snowballs
Did you know that throwing snowballs in Aspen, Colorado, is technically against the law?
Every state has its own rather strange laws, and the Centennial State is no exception.
As Colorado is a popular winter vacation destination, it comes as no surprise that there are strange laws revolving around the snowy climate.
BIZARRE LAWS IN CALIFORNIA THAT COULD GET YOU INTO TROUBLE
Read more about a few of the weird laws in Colorado.
- No using upholstered furniture outdoors
- Don’t plan on buying a car on Sundays
- Keep weeds maintained
- No launching snowballs
Every state, including Colorado, has its own laws, some of which seem to be rather strange. (Chet Strange/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
1. No using upholstered furniture outdoors
In Boulder, avoid keeping any upholstered furniture outside. It’s against the law.
According to Boulder General Offenses under Title 5, Chapter 4, 5-4-16, individuals can’t keep “upholstered furniture not manufactured for outdoor use,” in any front, side or backyard.
Upholstered furniture under the law includes couches, chairs and mattresses.
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If the furniture is placed outside while the resident is moving or on a trash day when it is scheduled for pickup, this isn’t a violation of the law.
Additionally, furniture that is placed outside for selling is OK.
2. Don’t plan on buying a car on Sundays
If you are planning on buying a car on a Sunday, you’re out of luck in Colorado.
In the state, “no person, firm, or corporation, whether owner, proprietor, agent, or employee, shall keep open, operate, or assist in keeping open or operating any place or premises or residences, whether open or closed, for the purpose of selling, bartering, or exchanging or offering for sale, barter, or exchange any motor vehicle, whether new, used, or secondhand, on the first day of the week commonly called Sunday,” according to Colorado Revised Statute § 12-6-302.
While you can’t buy a car on Sunday, you can purchase auto accessories or get your vehicle fixed on the day because those businesses are allowed to remain open.
If you are planning on buying a car in Colorado, avoid Sundays because dealerships close their doors that day. (Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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3. Keep weeds maintained
In Colorado, more specifically Pueblo, residents must keep their weeds under control.
This includes dandelions, which people often majestically blow the seeds off of and make a wish they hope to come true.
“It shall be unlawful for any owner of land to permit weeds in excess of ten (10) inches in height to grow, lie or be located upon such land. It shall be unlawful for the owner of land not to cut, destroy or remove from such land all weeds in excess of ten (10) inches in height,” according to Section 7-4-2 of Pueblo Colorado’s Code of Ordinances.
Several other weeds fall under this law, including Canada thistle, Russian thistle, redroot pigweed, common ragweed and others.
Pueblo, Colorado, takes weeds seriously. Residents must keep their weeds controlled because it’s against the law to let them grow too tall. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“This list is not intended to be exclusive, but rather is intended to be indicative of those types of plants which are considered noxious and a detriment to the public health and safety, but shall not include flower gardens, plots of shrubbery, vegetable gardens and small grain plots (wheat, barley, oats and rye),” the law notes.
4. No launching snowballs
In Aspen, be careful before you let that snowball you’ve created fly.
The City of Aspen Municipal Code Sec. 15.04.210 addresses throwing snowballs.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to throw any stone, snowball or other missile or discharge any bow, blowgun, slingshot, gun, catapult or other device upon or at any vehicle, building or other public or private property or upon or at any person or in any public way or place which is public in nature,” according to the law.
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The man accused of stabbing a teen in Kalihi on Monday is now being held on $100,000 bail.
44-year-old Jerold Matthews is charged with first-degree assault.
Patrol officers responded at around 10:40 p.m. to the Rose Street area.
Police say he stabbed a 17-year-old boy after the teen intervened during an argument between the man and the teen’s mom.
The teen was taken to a hospital in serious condition.
The 17-year-old was also arrested on allegations that he assaulted the Emergency Services Worker who was helping him, but he was released pending investigation.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Idaho
“Mamas know best”: Idaho Fish and Game Warns against interfering with spring baby animals – LocalNews8.com
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Springtime in Eastern Idaho means warmer weather and recreational activities in nature for residents. It also means baby animals are out and about, sometimes with no mother in sight. Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) wants to warn people against interfering with nature and the abilities of mother animals to care for their young, recalling an incident last year when a group of citizens dropped off a young fawn in a box at an Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) office.
“The weather is wonderful, and of course we have the chance to see wildlife moms with their babies, which makes it extra fun,” said Jennifer Jackson, Regional Communications Manager for Idaho Fish and Game in Eastern Idaho. “But it’s also a time to be aware of protective mothers and give them space on the trails.”
“Trust that the mom’s going to come back”
While exploring nature areas or unmarked trails, people may encounter baby moose, fawns, goslings, ducklings and more. Residents may also find these species right in their own backyards.
“We’ve had situations where people see a little fawn curled up under a tree and think the mom’s not in the picture,” she said. “They think they need to pick up the animal and take it to Fish and Game. The reality is, much of the time a baby animal has been left where it’s at because the mom put it there.”
Mother animals, particularly deer, may leave their children behind while they forage for food, drawing predators away from the babies. By stealing from nature and grabbing a baby animal, people are taking it away from it’s mother and putting it in more danger.
“If you encounter a situation where you’ve found a little baby, don’t assume it’s orphaned. Rather, keep your distance and trust that mom’s going to come back,” Jackson said.
When Fish & Game Steps In
In some cases, people may have real concerns about the condition of a young animal. For those situations, IDFG encourages you to call their local office so they can investigate the situation.
Jackson said that IDFG has stepped in on special occasions when conditions are met to help save young wildlife. A few years ago, two moose calves were orphaned when the mother moose was hit by a car in southeast Idaho. In collaboration with Zoo Idaho in Pocatello, IDFG was able to transport the calves and locate a facility with the capacity to permanently and properly care for them.
She also said to beware of hiking with your dog, as mother moose and bear can see the dogs as threats to their children and may try to engage or charge. In that situation, it’s best to back up and move away.
“If you do have a concern about a situation you’re seeing, if you think it’s an orphaned animal, just give us a call,” Jackson said. “We deal with wildlife species here in the state of Idaho, and so it’s really under our purview to make those calls.”
She said most times, they’ll tell you to leave the animal where it is, and the mother will likely be back to take care of it, and is aware of its location. By putting it in a box and bringing it to Idaho Fish and Game, it removes the baby from its home and potentially from necessary parental care.
“They’re doing it because they love wildlife. They care about the animals, and they want what’s best for that animal,” Jackson said. “We like to tell them sometimes what’s best is leaving those animals right where they’re at.”
If you’re concerned about an animal situation, call the Southeast Idaho Regional Fish and Game office at 208-232-4703.
MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana organizations are getting a financial boost to help communities mark America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
The Montana 250th Commission announced the recipients of its Event Sponsorship Program, awarding $100,000 to 40 organizations across the state.
The funding is intended to support community celebrations recognizing the Semiquincentennial.
The commission said the sponsorships will fund events, activities and programs that honor the anniversary while engaging communities throughout Montana.
“From parades and fairs to concerts and historical reenactments, these events will bring Montanans together to celebrate our shared heritage and the freedoms we cherish,” said Commission Chair Chris Averill. “We’re thrilled to support community organizations across the state as they create memorable experiences that connect Montana’s story to America’s 250-year journey, on July 4th and beyond.”
“The Commission is grateful to the Legislature for the funding, and to Governor Gianforte for signing HB 2 into law,” said Averill. “We continue to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely on activities that recognize the tremendous history of America, Montana, and our Tribal Nations; that bring Montanans together in celebration of America’s founding; and that educate Montana students and the general public on U.S., Montana, and Tribal history and government and our shared civic responsibility.”
Event Sponsorship Recipients:
- Cascade County Historical Society (Great Falls) – Cottonwood Festival – $5,000
- Belt Performing Arts Center (Belt) – The Belt Performing Arts Center Presents Oh, That Dreadful Tea! A Musical about the Boston Tea Party: A Community Celebration for the 250th Anniversary of the United States – $5,000
- Livingston Area Chamber (Livingston) – Historic Livingston Roundup Parade – $5,000
- Blaine County (Chinook) – Blaine County Fair – Veterans and Elders Tribute Exhibit – $5,000
- Helena Symphony (Helena) – Helena Symphony Season 72 Opening Night ~ America 250 – $5,000
- Flathead County Fairgrounds (Kalispell) – Honoring Veterans at Rodeo – $5,000
- Town of Denton (Denton) – Pies, Parades & Pyrotechnics – $5,000
- American Legion Auxiliary Border Unit 73 (Kevin) – North Toole County 250 Celebration Mural Project – $5,000
- Town of Plentywood (Plentywood) – Various July 4 community programs and activities for America 250 — $5,000
- Friends of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula (Missoula) – 1776 Speaker Series AND 4th at the Fort on 4th of July – $4,000
- Special Olympics Montana (Great Falls) – Special Olympics Montana’s Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary! – $4,375
- Department of Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4042 (Bigfork) – Celebration of Independence 1776-2026 – 250 Years of Military Service and Freedom – $3,608.93
- The Judith Mountain Players (Lewistown) – The History of the Declaration of Independence – $3,500
- Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team (Baker) – Fallon County’s Fourth of July Celebrations – $3,500
- Townsend American Legion Post 42 (Townsend) – American Legion Semiquincentennial Flag/Banner and Independence Day Event – $3,000
- Fergus County Fairgrounds (Lewistown) – Central Montana Fair – $3,109.07
- Miracle of America Museum (Polson) – From Minutemen to Desert Sands, 250 Years of Heroes – $2,950
- Montana Veterans Memorial Association (Great Falls) – Memorial Day Ceremony – $2,500
- Powder River Historical Society (Broadus) – Battle of Powder River Commemoration – $2,500
- Augusta Area Historical Society (Augusta) – South Fork Roundup of Cowboy Poetry and Music – $2,400
- Museums Association of Montana (Great Falls) – Montana’s Museums: Revolutionary New Beginnings Conference – $2,300
- Quality of Life Corporation (Colstrip) – Colstrip Days – $2,000
- Mission Valley Choral Society (Polson) – Mission Valley Choral Society’s Spring Concert Weekend – Theme: “Let Freedom Sing” – $1,500
- Mineral County Fair (Superior) – Mineral County Fair – $1,500
- Virginia City Preservation Alliance (Virginia City) – Forgotten Heroes – $1,500
- Town of Plains (Plains) – Fire Hydrant Painting – $1,300
- Old Glory Landmark Committee (Helena) – Children’s Activities – $1,000
- City of Boulder (Boulder) – Fourth of July Celebration in Veterans’ Park – $1,000
- Crazy Peak Cattle Women Inc. (Big Timber) – Big Timber 250 Celebration – $1,000
- Shields Valley Schools (Wilsall) – Red, White, & BBQ: Celebrate the 250th Independence Day in Shields Valley – $1,000
- Western Legacy Center, Incorporated (Whitehall) – 250 Year Birthday Celebration – $1,000
- City of Three Forks (Three Forks) – Community Cookout and Flag Giveaway – $1,000
- The Extreme History Project (Bozeman) – A Commonplace for Independence: Making Meaning at America’s 250th – $800
- Lewis & Clark Lodge Post No 3831 Veterans of Foreign Wars (Pony) – VFW Community Picnic – $750
- Kalispell Lions Club (Kalispell) – Distribute Miniature US Flags to Kalispell Area First Graders “Flags for First Graders” – $700
- Butte Silver Bow Quilt Guild (Butte) – Butte Silver Bow Quilt Guild Biennial Quilt Show “Quilting through Time 1776-2026” – $700
- Wheatland County (Harlowton) – “Happy Birthday, America!” 4th of July Parade – $507
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