Outspoken sheriff helps erect Christmas tree to counter city policy

LARIMER COUNTY – Sheriff Jim Alderden led an old fashioned tree trimming celebration Saturday in protest of the City of Fort Collins' decision to remove religious symbols from city property.

The tree trimming was originally organized in response to a holiday task force that recommended the Fort Collins City Council vote to remove all religious references and colored lights from the city's display. Because the sheriff's tree is on county-owned property, it is not subject to any decisions the Fort Collins City Council makes.

"To me, the whole thing was absurd. Why did we need a 15-member task force to even explore what should be appropriate on public property," Alderden said. "I think the task force was well-intentioned, the city was well-intentioned, but they took a hard left at some point in the process."

On November 20, the City Council voted 6-1 to allow colored lights and Christmas trees and wreaths on the exterior of city buildings and other city property, but only secular displays and messages in building interiors.

Starting next year, religious and cultural symbols will only be allowed if the symbols are part of a larger, educational piece of artwork. This does not apply to the Fort Collins Museum or Old Town Square. The new holiday display policy also stipulates the addition of a cultural display on or around the grounds of the Fort Collins Museum that could include non-secular symbols.

Alderden says because plans were already in place for Saturday's tree trimming, he went ahead with it despite the City Council's decision.

"You look around and you see all the people showing up for this old fashioned tree trimming and I think it's wonderful," said City Council member Diggs Brown.

Brown voted against the removal of Christmas trees and colored lights, saying "I'm not going to be the Grinch that does away with decorations."

"From my perspective, this was a freedom of speech, freedom of religion issue. The vocal minority of intolerant progressives was trying to run down the majority," Alderden said.

Alderden says he received $1,500 in donations for Saturday's event and more than 500 e-mails supporting his stance.

"I've gotten a great deal of pagans and atheists coming in to see me and e-mail me (because of) their recognition that some sort of spirituality isn't a bad thing."

In addition to the tree, Alderden's display includes a Nativity scene and a menorah.