The Littleton Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) is ringing in the holidays with more than just the jingle of bells this season, it's wrapping Main Street in a vibrant display of greenery. As Littleton residents stroll down Main Street amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, they'll be greeted by a line of festively lit evergreen trees, courtesy of the LDDA's new Holiday Tree Program. From November through January, these trees will not only serve as a beacon of yuletide joy but will also lay down roots for the city's future greening efforts, as detailed by the City of Littleton.
Residents who remember the sad day when diseased trees were felled on Main Street last year can find solace and a touch of environmental restoration in sponsoring one of the 34 trees that are to be installed. Each tree, standing at an astute five or six feet tall, will take its temporary place in planters, aglow with decorative lights. It's an effort to fill a void left by their predecessors, all without the permanence that would interfere with the upcoming Denver Water project and the wide-ranging Project Downtown, set to begin in 2025. “The goal of the program is to temporarily replace the trees that were cut down on Main Street due to disease in 2023. New permanent trees won't be planted until the 2025 Denver Water project along Main Street is completed and construction on the city's Project Downtown initiative concludes,” as noted by the City of Littleton.
To foster a sense of community involvement and ownership, the LDDA is offering sponsorship opportunities that go beyond the season's tinsel and cheers. Local businesses, organizations, and individuals can sponsor the Holiday Tree Program across a range of amounts, from $500 to $2,500. Such contributions do more than bring forth holiday spirit; they symbolize a stakeholder investment in Littleton's green future. As described by the LDDA, sponsor benefits include “logo placement on the LDDA website and e-newsletters, a social media mention, and a name or logo displayed on a plaque near the sponsored tree.” For those digging deeper into their pockets for the cause, the highest tiers of sponsorship offer the unique chance to own or donate a piece of Littleton's landscape at the program's end.
Concerns surrounding the void left by the absence of permanent trees on Main Street are addressed through these pines, firs, and spruce. The selected species, Austrian Pines, White Firs, Douglas Firs, and Blue Spruces combine both the practicality of Colorado's climate and the picturesque qualities befitting the holiday setting. These evergreens represent a blend of tradition and progression, where the past's roots lead to tomorrow's growth; a sentiment captured in the LDDA's intention for them to be moved and planted at permanent locations around the city after their initial staying through the holidays.
