Colorado Springs parks officials have stripped Christmas decorations from a tree at the summit of the Manitou Incline, saying the ornaments hung by members of the public pose a threat to local wildlife.

The evergreen tree growing atop the stairway that ascends 2,000 feet up a hillside near Manitou Springs has for years been decorated with bulbs, lights and other festive trinkets by hikers during the holiday season.

Visitors who complete the grueling, mile-long climb today can instead expect to find a laminated message from Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services citing city ordinances that prohibit littering or causing damage to trees and grass.

“As beautiful as they are, ornaments are made of plastic, which is an environmental toxin, and when they fly off in the wind, they become litter,” the message reads in part. “Lights disorient birds and other wildlife and create an entanglement risk. Lights are also a fire hazard, even in the winter.”

In a statement shared with The Denver Post and local broadcaster KRDO, the city said personal items removed from the tree Monday are in the process of being returned to their owners.

The city also asked would-be guerilla decorators to leave their holiday ornaments at home.

“We kindly ask the public to respect the Leave No Trace principles, which help protect our wildlife and natural resources,” the city said. “These principles encourage all visitors to minimize their impact on the environment, ensuring that our parks remain beautiful and accessible for everyone.”

Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.

Originally Published: December 13, 2024 at 2:49 PM MST