The Boulder Star

Every November, as the days grow shorter and the holiday season approaches, a familiar constellation begins to glow above Boulder. Perched on Flagstaff Mountain, the Boulder Star has become one of the city’s most recognizable symbols, visible from across the community and, for generations, a marker of the season.

But the star is more than a decoration. Over nearly eight decades, it has evolved into a symbol of remembrance and hope, illuminating Boulder not only during the holidays, but also during some of its most difficult moments.

The tradition began in December 1947, when the Boulder Star was first lit as the community emerged from the difficult years of World War II. “It was a symbol that was uniting the community and helping to lift everybody’s spirits,” says John Tayer, president and CEO of the Boulder Chamber, which serves as a steward of the star alongside the city of Boulder.

The original star was a decidedly homespun project. According to John, people on the ground in Boulder helped direct those working on the mountain as they positioned the points of the star. At one point, toilet paper was reportedly used to mark out the design.

Today, the star is lit in tribute each year on November 11, Veterans Day. Its shape itself carries a certain resonance, John says, recalling the military stars associated with service and sacrifice. “It’s a reminder,” he says, “that our freedoms are in many ways due to the service of the armed forces and the people who serve our country.”

John also recalls the star’s illumination during the Iran hostage crisis, as well as more recent events including the 2013 flood and its recovery, the 2021 King Soopers shooting, and the 2021 Marshall Fire. In those moments, the light takes on a different meaning. “It’s a symbol of hope, and it’s a symbol of unity in addressing the common needs,” John says.

The decision to illuminate the star for these occasions is made jointly by the Boulder Chamber and the city. There is no single set of circumstances that automatically triggers the lighting, but John says it is generally reserved for significant incidents in which the community is struggling or seeking a way to express collective support.

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks plays a practical role in keeping the tradition alive. The star sits on city property on Flagstaff Mountain, and the department handles its lighting and ongoing maintenance.

“Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks looks forward to partnering with the Boulder Chamber every year to provide this unique community asset for our community and visitors to enjoy,” says Jeff Haley, the department’s deputy director. “We look forward to continuing this tradition for generations and couldn’t do it without the support of the Boulder Chamber.”

The star itself has changed considerably since 1947. In its earliest form, wires were strung across short poles with exposed incandescent bulbs. The arrangement proved vulnerable to vandalism, with people reportedly climbing up to smash bulbs or rearrange the wires into different shapes.

By the 1990s, a Boulder Chamber volunteer group led by Craig Reynolds—whom John calls the “Boulder Star man”—undertook an effort to restructure the star. The redesign raised the poles and individually protected the bulbs, making the structure more secure and resistant to vandalism. Today, the star uses LED lights powered by Xcel Energy’s Windsource program, making it considerably more energy-efficient than its original incarnation.

Keeping the star lit is not without its challenges. The slope of Flagstaff Mountain is steep, and winter conditions can make maintenance particularly hazardous. John recalls one outing when someone dropped a box of replacement bulbs, sending them bouncing all the way down the hill.

While the light is meant to be enjoyed by the community, the public is asked to view it from afar. Jeff emphasizes that visitors should not attempt to reach the structure due to the area’s sensitive natural resources and the dangerous hillside where the star is located.

That restriction has changed some of the traditions surrounding the star. In earlier years, the site was more accessible, and John says there were stories of courtships, marriages, and family occasions taking place beneath its lights. Yet today’s distance hasn’t diminished its emotional significance. In fact, John says, the clearest indication of how much the Boulder Star means to the community is what happens when it disappears.

During periods of severe wind, the star may need to be switched off for safety reasons, including concerns about sparking and fire. When that happens, John hears from residents who are worried and want to know what happened.

The community’s attachment can also be seen in quieter ways. The Boulder Chamber receives unsolicited contributions from people who want to help maintain the star, often explaining that it has become intertwined with family memories and important moments in their lives. One community member with a disability has followed the star and counted down the days until it is lit, John says. Over the years, he has even helped with the lighting in a symbolic capacity.

Reynolds, who played a significant role in protecting and modernizing the star, has since handed off responsibility for operating it to others. But John hopes his contribution—and those of the many people who have maintained the tradition—are remembered.

The Boulder Star has now been part of the city’s landscape for 79 years. Its lights and structure have changed, the reasons for illuminating it have expanded, and the way people interact with it has shifted as Boulder has grown. But its central purpose remains remarkably consistent.

“We live in a period of tremendous change,” John says. “But maintaining traditions around symbols that are foundational and important to our community is a recognition that our values and sense of unity are things that don’t change.”