Nearly nude gardeners face eviction

BOULDER, Colo., June 7 (UPI) -- The nearly naked gardeners of Boulder, Colo., say they want the freedom to garden in their front yard wearing nothing but thongs and pasties.

The married couple, Catharine Pierce, 51, and Robert Pierce, 58, aren't breaking the law by tending to their flowers while wearing next to nothing -- as long as their genitalia are covered. But their landlord may define the Pierces' nearly nude outdoor activities as a nuisance and have them evicted from their rental home, The (Boulder) Daily Camera reported Sunday.

The owner of the house is Boulder Housing Partners, which administers the city's affordable housing program. Executive Director Betsy Martens acknowledges defining the word "nuisance" is tough.

"This is not a legal issue, it's a community issue. We try and balance the needs of the whole community," she said.

But the couple asserted the landlord is infringing on their basic rights.

"We want our freedom," Robert Pierce told the Daily Camera. "We want exactly what the law gives you, and we don't want to be harassed about it."