Boulder's Flagstaff Star Lit For The Season

BOULDER, CO -- At 6 p.m. on Monday night, the holiday season officially arrived in Boulder County with the lighting of the Flagstaff star. The star has shone over the valley every December for the last 71 years, ever since its debut in 1947. In recent years, the lighting has been scheduled for Veteran's Day in tribute to the county's servicemen and women.

The Boulder Chamber of Commerce has been the caretaker of the star since the beginning. "We celebrate the message it sends as a symbol of appreciation for our veterans, the warm glow of the holiday season, and the shining spirit of our community," said current Chamber president John Tayer in a statement.

According to a history of the star written by Boulder historian Sylvia Pettem, the star's lights have been rearranged by pranksters, painted red by possible communists in the 1950s, and dismantled by disgruntled environmentalists concerned about the waste of energy and possible disruption of wildlife.

The star's light now shines out of low-energy, long-lasting LED bulbs and is powered with wind-generated energy.

"I have been humbled and honored... to turn on and maintain the star," said Craig Reynolds, who this year will celebrate two decades of maintaining the iconic display in a video post for the Chamber of Commerce.

The star's upkeep is funded each year in part through sales of holiday cards designed by local artists. This year's edition features work by Amanda Lenz. Bookcliff Vineyards has also created a special blend of wine this year that features a picture of the star on its label, available at their taproom.

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Photo Credit: Thomas Jentzsch / imageBROKER/Shutterstock