Flagpole Stirs Up Bad Blood In Weld County
LOCHBUIE, Colo. (CBS4) - A homeowner in Lochbuie was shocked to learn that a flagpole he put up in his front yard was in violation of his community covenants.
Bryan Lyon lives in the Berkshire neighborhood, which is east of Denver off of Interstate 76. After Lyon put a flagpole in his front yard to fly both the American and U.S. Army flags, he got a notice that his flagpole was in violation of the community covenants.
"We've always tried to fly a flagpole but some of the ones that mount to the house just don't seem to hold up as long," Lyon said.
Lyon protested because the covenants clearly stated that no prior approval was needed to put up a flagpole or a flag on his home.
"I checked the design review guidelines and in there it says that free-standing flagpoles or flagpoles mounted to your home are -- they don't need committee approval," Lyon said.
He hadn't received a response to his protest until CBS4 asked the property managers about the apparent conflict.
"Associations are allowed by statute to regulate size and placement of the flagpoles and most associations require pre-approval for any exterior modification made to a property," Judi England with Management Specialists, Inc. said in a statement. "The courtesy notice requesting a plan was an error."
That came as a relief to Lyon, who is an Iraqi War veteran.
The Berkshire subdivision is a newer development, built within the past 10 years.
