Can I Have a Snowball Fight in Aspen, Colorado?

Having a snowball fight is illegal in Aspen, Colorado, because the act is a violation of a local anti-missile law. In the city, throwing any object or discharging a weapon at public buildings, at private property or at another person is an infraction that typically comes with a fine as punishment. Snowball fights on private property are generally not cause for issues. In some cases, however, the throwing of snowballs that are made of a significant amount of ice has been treated as assault or harassment and has come with criminal charges.

More about Colorado state laws:

In Denver, Colorado, vacuum cleaners are not permitted to be lent or borrowed.

It is illegal in Boulder, Colorado, for the owner of a llama to allow the animal to graze on public property.

In 2013, Colorado and Washington became the first US states to pass laws for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use, but it still was illegal under US federal law.

Discussion Comments

By Chmander — On Feb 17, 2014

@Viranty - I've been hit in the face with a pretty hard snowball before, and it wasn't a laughing matter. When I was little, my friend and I were having a snowball fight. I was getting him pretty good, but then he struck me in the face with a snowball that had a lot of ice in it. I got a black and eye, and it hurt pretty bad. However, we're still friends, and he even apologized. Banning snowball fights does seem a bit unusual, but I can definitely see how that's a possibility. As the old saying goes, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

By Viranty — On Feb 16, 2014

@RoyalSpyder - I can see where you're coming from with your last sentence. Not referring to the state of Colorado, but as a whole, sometimes, we can end up injuring someone without even meaning it. In other words, what turns into a game of fun eventually becomes much more deadly and serious. In fact, though the article doesn't state this, maybe the reason why they decided by make it a criminal offense is because they want to prevent any serious injury that could cause others to sue. Perhaps the law is just a form of scare tactics? It's just my perspective, but it's definitely something to think about.

By RoyalSpyder — On Feb 16, 2014

Even though I highly disagree that snowball fights should be illegal in Colorado, on the other hand, I can definitely see where they're coming from. First of all, notice how it says that if you're caught throwing snowballs, you'll get a fine. Maybe that does seem a little too extreme, but on the other hand, it's better than being thrown into prison, right? At least it's not something completely illogical. Second, I think it's understandable that throwing snowballs with ice in them can come with criminal charges. After all, we wouldn't want any to get hurt, right?

By Chmander — On Feb 15, 2014

This is one of the most amusing and interesting articles in wiseGEEK. I never knew that snowball fights were illegal in Apsen, Colorado? In fact, not just referring to this article, but as a whole, some states have some very unusual laws. This article aside, does anyone know of any other rules or regulations that may seem a bit out of the norm?

By anon341396 — On Jul 11, 2013

The next question should be is it illegal to lie in Washington.

By anon341324 — On Jul 10, 2013

I can understand the illegality of throwing snowballs (you can hide a missile in snowball), but I am really puzzled to learn that vacuum cleaners are not permitted to be lent or borrowed?

Advertiser Disclosure

How We Make Money

Can I Have a Snowball Fight in Aspen, Colorado?

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

WiseGEEK, in your inbox