By Shannon Lukens.
UPDATE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3– Steamboat Springs Police has confirmed six reports of political yard signs being stolen from yards. The town of Hayden is reporting its first theft of a political yard sign late last Thursday or Friday morning. All of the signs that were stolen were Harris-Walz signs.
ORIGINAL STORY
Some political yard signs are missing. Steamboat Springs Police Commander Rich Brown says there have been several reports of Harris-Walz signs being taken from yards on Steamboat Boulevard and Yahmonite Street downtown.
We have checked in with Craig Police Chief Mike Cochran and Hayden Police Chief Scott Scurlock and they have both confirmed that they have not had any reports of the theft of political signs in their communities.
Chief Cochran says, “If we get any, I’ll let you know.”
Chief Scurlock says, “We have not had any reports of folks having political signs stolen from their yards. However, I haven’t seen very many signs out in general.”
It is illegal to take a political sign from someone’s from yard as it is considered theft, and a Class 2 misdemeanor. If you are missing a campaign yard sign, get any pictures or evidence and report it to local police.
Colorado Revised State Law Section 1-13-113
1-13-113. Interference with distribution of election material.
During the period beginning forty-five days before and ending four days after any election, any person who prevents, hinders, or interferes with the lawful distribution of any card, pamphlet, circular, poster, handbill, yard sign, or other written material relating to any candidate for election for any office or relating to any issue that is to be submitted to the electors in any election, or any person who removes, defaces, or destroys any lawfully placed billboard, sign, or written material from any premises to which it was delivered, commits a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars. Any person found guilty of removing, defacing, or destroying any billboard, sign, or written material shall pay the cost of replacement. The owner of the premises, an authorized agent of the owner, or any person charged with enforcement of any state law, ordinance, or regulation may remove any billboard, sign, or written material without penalty when placed without permission or authorization of the owner of such premises, or in violation of state law or county or municipal ordinance or regulation, or which is in place at any time other than during the period beginning forty-five days before and ending four days after any election.
More on penalties for yard sign theft — VerifyThis.com