If you’ve spent an evening in Boulder since November 11, then you have noticed the giant, lighted star outline on the western face of the Flatirons. What you might not know is how one simple holiday tradition became a hotly contested issue for Boulder citizens, and a medium of political commentary. The Flagstaff Star was originally displayed in 1947 but the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, who still own the start to this day. It was meant as a simply Christmas decoration aimed at uniting Boulder in the spirit of the holiday. The next year, the star began to transform. Shifting between a Christmas... Read More

Imagine, getting back from a long day in Denver. It’s cold, it’s dark, and there’s some minor evening traffic. Then, you ascend the final hill towards Boulder, and you’re greeted by the bright shape of a star on the mountains. That’s the moment I wait for every November. During Veteran’s Day last week, the star began its annual winter residency in Boulder. The star is an important symbol, and no Boulder winter is complete without the giant glowing shape on Flagstaff Mountain. It provides a little extra light in a season when days are shorter and nights... Read More

A half inch of snow blanketed northern Colorado on Thursday last week, with eleven days of summer left after it. Last time I checked, it typically isn’t supposed to snow in the summer. Colorado has always been known to have sporadic weather patterns, and with climate change at hand, it’s only bound to be more sporadic in the coming months. This is far from a bad thing, however. Winter, how do I love thee? Let me count thy ways…   1. Tis’ the Season to Ski and Ride.  When someone asks a Coloradan what the best winter activity is, they’re probably going to... Read More