Boulder Ready To Tackle 'Eyesore' Beer Pong Tables
By Tom Mustin
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - You see them everywhere in the University Hill area of Boulder: front yard beer pong tables, usually surrounded by a weekend's worth of red solo cups, trash, and bottles.
"I don't think it's a really big deal, said University of Colorado student Ben Robertson.
Boulder City Councilman member Andrew Shoemaker believes the tables are eyesores. He wants the city to consider an ordinance to bring the tables inside after a night of revelry. CU student Catie Eichler is not sure the tables should be a priority.
"There's definitely other things in Boulder going on that probably should be more worried about than couches and beer pong tables," Eichler told CBS4's Tom Mustin.
Council member Jan Burton lives on the Hill, "I think for a lot of people it is a big issue."
Burton says the tables are a small part of a bigger issue.
"It's not just about beer pong tables. We have noise issues. We have trash issues. Residents are concerned about all of these because they care about the homes in their neighborhood. They want the student to care as well," said Burton.
Boulder already has a so-called "couch" ordinance in place- banning furniture in front yards. First time violators face a $100 fine. One proposal would be to include the beer pong tables in that law. Rather than changing the law, Burton believes the city should do a better job educating students and enforcing its current laws.
"I live in it. I see a lot of kids are great kids, they're just a little oblivious to what they're doing in the neighborhood. I would prefer us not pass the ordinance," said Burton.
Meanwhile Eichler says passing a beer pong ordinance, and getting students to obey, may be easier said than done.
"In terms of it happening, there are 30,000 kids here, a lot of them do this, especially on the Hill. I don't really see them obeying it."
Several colleges across the country have banned beer pong altogether. Whether CU follows suit remains to be seen.
Right now the Boulder City Council has no specific timetable to discuss the issue.
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.
