A mystery man is behind the red hearts ... and local folks are not in love with them.
Residents in Steamboat Springs are a little steamed up these days due to a recent slew of red hearts popping up all over town. They're everywhere; along walking trails, outside of stores, near the base of the Steamboat ski resort, and more.
The vandal was even bold enough to paint a heart on the Combined Law Enforcement facility, which houses both the Steamboat Police Department and the Routt County Sheriff’s Office.
Police say they have an idea of who's behind the graffiti, a 26-year-old male. He has been issued a summons for defacing property, though his name has not been made public. It is expected that information will be made public in the coming weeks. He is said to be a long-time Steamboat Springs resident. Police recognized him from surveillance video outside the department’s offices and have had interactions with him previously.
A cleanup effort has been organized among the town’s residents, and is being led by Leighann McLaughlin.
We will just have to wait and see who this lovelorn bandit is, and one day maybe we will all learn the motivation behind why he chose to spray paint red hearts all over town. Perhaps a dare, or a message to a love interest, we suspect perhaps there is more to the story. Despite seeming like harmless mischief, graffiti is vandalism and requires resources and time to clean up. The people of Steamboat Springs want to enjoy the town and its natural beauty. There is a time and a place for art, and we hope this person finds a more appropriate canvas to spread their creativity and message.
What do you think about this red heart painting bandit? Sound off in the comments.
