Dumb Laws - Friday's Blogging for Fun

This weeks question for Fun Friday is dumb laws where you live. I live in the great state of Colorado, but they do have a few weird laws mostly left over from the gold rush days. Here are a few of the constraints we Coloradoans have to put up with.

Probably the most controversial one right now is about catching rain water in rain barrels. From the Denver Water Department Website it states: Colorado Water Law requires that precipitation fall to the ground, run off and into the river of the watershed where it fell. Because rights to water are legally allocated in this state, an individual may not capture and use water to which he/she does not have a right.

But from visiting their website I also learned this about the reuse of gray water:

Q. Why can't Denver Water customers reuse their own gray water for outdoor use?

A. Colorado water law allows each customer just one use of the water before it goes down the drain, through a wastewater treatment plant and back into the river for others to use. By law, Denver Water customers are not permitted to take their bath or laundry water (commonly referred to as gray water) and dump it on their outdoor plants or garden. After this water is used once by Denver Water customers, it must return to the South Platte River where it will be used seven or eight more times before it gets to the state line (Nebraska).

They also suggest that you use these tips: Denver Water customers are encouraged to catch unused clear water in a bucket or other container as it comes out of the tap and then use this water once; to mop floors, refresh pet water or water plants. For example, try catching water that comes out before the shower water warms up and then use this water to flush toilets or rinse the shower.

I guess the used pot of water that I cooked vegetables in and then dump on my plants is illegal? I did not realize I was breaking the law.

Here are some other silly laws I found.

One may not mutilate a rock in a state park.

Tags may be ripped off of pillows and mattresses. (Yeah!)

It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence.

Throwing missles at cars is illegal. (Alamosa, CO)

Establishments which sell alcohol must have enough lighting to read text inside them. (Arvada, CO)

Catapults may not be fired at buildings. (Aspen, CO)

It is legal to challenge a police officer, but only until he or she asks you to stop. (Boulder, CO)

It is permissable to wear a holstered six-gun within city limits, except on Sunday, Election Day, or holidays. (Colorado Springs, CO)

It is illegal to bring your horse or pack mule above the ground floor of any building. (Cripple Creek, CO)

It is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor. (Denver, CO)

You may not drive a black car on Sundays. (Denver, CO)

It is illegal to go in public dressed in clothes “unbecoming” on one’s sex. (Durango, CO)

Residents may not own chickens, but may own up to three turkeys. (Louisville, CO)

Cats may not run loose without having been fit with a taillight. (Sterling, CO) (Really?)

It is illegal to crash into obstacles on a ski slope. (Vail, CO)