Chalk on sidewalk has HOA considering fines

They say art is in the eye of the beholder.

In a Denver neighborhood, a 3-year-old’s chalk drawings have drawn some local critics.

Emerson Cohen does what kids do. It wouldn’t be summer if her hands weren’t covered in chalk.

“Well, I guess this is kind of our mini-protest,” said Sarah Cohen.

Sarah and her husband bought a home in Stapleton, Colorado because it was family-friendly.

“We live on a courtyard and we all bought into the notion that we were sharing a space,” said Cohen.

That’s the problem. The HOA says it’s a shared space and anything that offends, disturbs, or interferes with its peaceful enjoyment isn’t allowed. Apparently people have complained.

“The association is trying to go down a path of do no harm and prevent the sidewalk art as opposed to, until such time if you can get together and discuss it,” said attorney David Firmin.

“She’s not bothering anyone and it’s actually pretty neat. She’s learning how to spell her name,” said Cohen.

Sarah says no neighbors have said anything to her, and plans to keep on letting her daughter color the common area.

If residents do decide they don’t want sidewalk chalk art and people continue to do it, there could be some fines.

No meeting has yet been scheduled.