Fire Dept: Castle Rock star lights vandalized

The Castle Rock Fire Department says someone apparently vandalized the lights on the Rock.

In late January, Castle Rock Fire and Rescue firefighters, who maintain the historic star, changed the 88 bulbs to blue and orange to celebrate the Broncos playing in the Super Bowl.

However, nearly now half of the lights are out.

"We are aware of the condition of our beloved Castle Rock star and we share your disappointment," the Castle Rock Fire Department wrote on its Facebook page. "It appears that someone vandalized the lights and unfortunately, we will have to turn it off either tonight or tomorrow. Whoever did it can never kill our town spirit though! GO BRONCOS!!!!!"
 
The star has been a Castle Rock tradition since the 1930s.

In 1936, the Town wanted to light the side of Interstate 25, so travelers would stop for goods and services. Castle Rock Hose Company No. 1 (today known as the Castle Rock Fire Department) volunteered to carry the construction materials to the top of the rock. The Town Council provided some funding. Castle Rock Motor Company donated gas for welding the pieces of the star and Mountain States Telephone donated used electrical wire.
 
The star stands 40 feet high. It's typically lit the Saturday before Thanksgiving and remains lit until the last day of the National Western Stock Show.

There have only been a few other times the star was lit outside of the holiday season. Following World War II, the star was illuminated with a ‘V’ for victory. In 1998 and 2014, the star was blue and orange when the Broncos played in the Super Bowl.