Boulder cops threaten (totally) Naked Bike Ride participants with registration as sex offenders

This Saturday, June 13, plenty of Boulder residents will take part in the World Naked Bike Ride -- and if they're anything like the ones who wheeled around during the 2007 Denver event seen in the video above, a lot of them will actually be, well, naked. But this year, those who take the name of the event literally may incur the wrath of the Boulder Police Department. Moments ago, the BPD issued a press release noting that the department plans to enforce indecent-exposure laws -- and pedalers "not covering their genitals are subject to arrest and, if convicted under this statute, may be required to register as sexual offenders."

The tone of this note will remind readers of one sent out by the University of Colorado at Boulder's chancellor in advance of 4/20; he wrote that "this event only serves to harm the reputation of this great university and is comprised in large part of individuals with no investment in the university at all." Predictably, this declaration was widely ignored. But the cops have the law on their side if they choose to get draconian on all those naked asses. What a way to harsh a ride.

Read the BPD press release after the jump:

Police plan to enforce indecent exposure law for World Naked Bike Ride

The Boulder Police Department wishes to remind community members that officers will be enforcing indecent exposure laws for the World Naked Bike Ride, which is planned for Saturday, June 13. Participants not covering their genitals are subject to arrest and, if convicted under this statute, may be required to register as sexual offenders.

The department has reached out to organizers of the event to advise them about ways participants can avoid possible arrest. These include wearing undergarments that cover genitalia or otherwise obscuring those body parts from public view.

Participants are strongly urged to be mindful of the requirements of the law.

"We support the rights of community members to protest in Boulder, but we are also responsible for enforcing the law. This includes the indecent exposure statute," said Boulder Police Chief Mark R. Beckner.