ASPEN The twinkling lights on Aspens Red Mountain, along with the wreaths, lights and garlands strewn through downtown Aspen might have a visitor thinking its Christmas Eve instead of February.
Some locals maintain that Aspen is a Christmas town all winter, but others have had enough of decorations and lights.
Typically we take the holiday lights on the Main Street area down in late January, and then well take the lights down in the commercial core in late February or the beginning of March, said Stephen Ellsperman, the citys parks and open space director. But the timing varies with weather and events in the city.
We try to get through most of the major events in the downtown with the lights on, Ellsperman said, adding he isnt aware of any law that says homeowners must take down lights.
Mayor Helen Klanderud said she believes the plastic garlands and decoration stay up later for the Winter X Games and other events.
I dont mind them, Klanderud said. But there comes a point.
Steve Purso, a bartender at Little Annies Eating House, said the lights transcend the holiday season.
I like the lights in town, Purso said. Theyre winter lights, theyre not Christmas lights.
They keep the lights up so drunk people dont fall, added Sara Beth Trogdon, a Little Annies customer visiting from Denver.
No, they leave the lights up so drunks can see that theyve already fallen, Purso quipped.
This isnt the real world, added Pat Deskin, another Little Annies employee. Its a winter wonderland.
Michael Daniels, owner of Daniels Antiques on the Cooper Street mall, who keeps his decorations up until mid-February, said: I know some people take them down right away. But Aspen, its still cold and snowy. Its a Christmas world.
Others have had enough. Jennifer Blocker, a saleswoman at Paris Underground, took a warm, sunny Saturday to take down the wreaths and garlands from out in front of the shop as they were turning brown and losing their needles.
I feel like it wasnt looking fresh, she said. It reached the end of its time.
The bear on the roof of the Hickory House still wears a wreath, the eaves sag with garlands and lights and stick-figure reindeer adorn the porch, but Brian Jack, the restaurants general manager, said its time they come down.
Everyone who comes to town is so used to it, they kind of block it out, Jack said. I want it down personally. Im tired of it.
But Jack said his decorator wont take the decorations down unless its warmer than 30 degrees.
Hopefully well have it down by March, he said.
Some locals maintain that Aspen is a Christmas town all winter, but others have had enough of decorations and lights.
Typically we take the holiday lights on the Main Street area down in late January, and then well take the lights down in the commercial core in late February or the beginning of March, said Stephen Ellsperman, the citys parks and open space director. But the timing varies with weather and events in the city.
We try to get through most of the major events in the downtown with the lights on, Ellsperman said, adding he isnt aware of any law that says homeowners must take down lights.
Mayor Helen Klanderud said she believes the plastic garlands and decoration stay up later for the Winter X Games and other events.
I dont mind them, Klanderud said. But there comes a point.
Steve Purso, a bartender at Little Annies Eating House, said the lights transcend the holiday season.
I like the lights in town, Purso said. Theyre winter lights, theyre not Christmas lights.
They keep the lights up so drunk people dont fall, added Sara Beth Trogdon, a Little Annies customer visiting from Denver.
No, they leave the lights up so drunks can see that theyve already fallen, Purso quipped.
This isnt the real world, added Pat Deskin, another Little Annies employee. Its a winter wonderland.
Michael Daniels, owner of Daniels Antiques on the Cooper Street mall, who keeps his decorations up until mid-February, said: I know some people take them down right away. But Aspen, its still cold and snowy. Its a Christmas world.
Others have had enough. Jennifer Blocker, a saleswoman at Paris Underground, took a warm, sunny Saturday to take down the wreaths and garlands from out in front of the shop as they were turning brown and losing their needles.
I feel like it wasnt looking fresh, she said. It reached the end of its time.
The bear on the roof of the Hickory House still wears a wreath, the eaves sag with garlands and lights and stick-figure reindeer adorn the porch, but Brian Jack, the restaurants general manager, said its time they come down.
Everyone who comes to town is so used to it, they kind of block it out, Jack said. I want it down personally. Im tired of it.
But Jack said his decorator wont take the decorations down unless its warmer than 30 degrees.
Hopefully well have it down by March, he said.


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