A sign of peace
A few months ago, I put up a green LED peace sign at my house which came on after dark
for a couple of hours. My intent was to send out a positive message of hope and peace in
these times of war and political divisiveness.
Everyone who saw it liked it, but after a month or so, I got a call from the Code Enforcement officer to tell me one of my neighbors had complained about it. She was very nice, explained that the neighbor didn’t think it complied with the outdoor lighting regulations, and told me the planning staff were checking to see if the sign was allowed underc the code.
She told me I could leave it on until they figured it out, but I told her that I didn’t want to upset any of my neighbors and would turn it off right away. After all, the intent was to give people an uplifting, positive feeling
when they saw it.
After several weeks, I got a call back from the Code Enforcement officer to inform me that
my peace sign would meet the local regulations, with a slight change in its location. So, we
moved the sign, removed some of the lights to make it dimmer (though not required) and
turned it back on. Within a few days I got word that the same neighbor had written a letter
to the Town complaining that the staff’s decision was wrong.
I was left with a bit of a moral dilemma – my intent in putting up the sign was to send out a
positive sign to my fellow community members, but one neighbor seems to be offended by
it. Legally, I have the right to leave it on, and several people have told me they think I
should leave it on.
In the end I decided to turn it back off. I realized that if it offends even one person,
whatever the reason, it defeats my original intent. Arguing with each other over trivial
things seems to be at an all-time high. I think we’ll all be happier and create a better
community if we try to walk away from these type of trivial disagreements. Besides, It’s
just a peace sign.
However, I do reserve the right to turn it on during holidays, and I did over the 4th of July weekend it was on with some red, white, and blue stars right next to it.
Frank Theis, Estes Park
License plate readers in Estes Park
I read the article about Estes Park police considering installing license plate readers. I found the arguments for the license plate readers unpersuasive.
Estes Park has survived 110 years without government surveillance of all entering and leaving. There is no reasonable reason for them to collect that data.
And, there is no keeping it safe and secure. We’ve seen that destroyed in the last 5 months We are experiencing an expansion of police surveillance and intrusive public police presence which bears all the signs of a fascist government coup.
There is no reason to make it easier. If Estes Park installs automatic license plate readers, I will divert all of my shopping and recreation activities down to the flats – Longmont, Loveland, Fort Collins, Boulder, whatever.
Estes Park will not get another nickel of my money, nor another minute of my time.
That policy will apply to recommendations, also.
Every person in Allenspark seems to spend more than 50% of their time making recommendations for outlanders: “Where can I find – a gas station, rest room, cold drink, hiking trail, hotel room, grocery store, beer, restaurant, ice cream, bar, laundry, pharmacy, clothing, shoes, etc etc. etc.”
Truthfully, thousands of recommendations every day. The answer will be: Turn around and head back towards Raymond, Left Hand Canyon, Nederland, Hygiene, Lyons, Boulder, Longmont, Boulder, etc.
And, I will tell them why. As soon as you enter Estes Park, the police will record videos of your car, your license plate number, the direction you came from, and the number of persons in the vehicle; where you stopped, who you saw, what you did, how long you stayed, when you left, and where you went next.
The police say the information will remain confidential and secure, but you can reasonably expect that it will be immediately available to the FBI, CIA, NSA, NHS, ICE, ATF, IRS, and others.
It is reasonable to expect that it would probably be available to other national security offices in Isreal, United Kingdom, Russia, etc. And within about 12 hours available in Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc. And, also on the Dark Web.
And, within 24 hours, it would probably be available on most bail bondsman, skip tracers, and “missing persons” sites.
Enjoy your stay in Estes Park.
Mike Brown, Allenspark
Refutation to Frank Theis’ “A sign of peace” posted in Letters of the Editor
Only someone with narcissistic tendencies would attempt to distort the truth to fit their own narrative and then post it publicly into the Trail-Gazette and now the Estes Valley News, (1) month after this personal and what was to be private concern. This matter was never about a Peace sign, or a simple misunderstanding—it involved significant and repeated light trespass onto my property and neighboring homes, disrupting residential peace. This matter was initially handled in a private and respectful manner through the proper channels. At no point did I seek to make this a public spectacle.
Let me be clear: I did not make this situation trivial or public—he did.
Unfortunately, he made the choice to bring it into the public eye—misrepresenting the situation in the process. It’s disappointing to see a legitimate concern, backed by clear communication with the Code Officer, the Mayor, Trustees, and Planning Department, reduced to something trivial for the sake of appearances.
The bright LED “Peace Sign” was not simply illuminated for a couple of hours—it remained on well past 11:40 p.m. over multiple nights after its installation. It was mounted 12 feet up and directed in such a way that it violated basic expectations of privacy and quiet enjoyment. It remained in place for several months without obtaining the required permit (for sign only), a clear violation of the municipal code.
I raised this concern because the light intrusion was invasive, prolonged, and directly affected not just my home but also those of my neighbors.
While the individual was, later allowed to attach the sign to the side of the house under EPDC Section 4 of 7.9 (Exterior Lighting) as a form of architectural lighting, I still found it necessary to formally raise a concern with the Planning Department, Mayor, and Trustees. The issue wasn’t just whether it fit the classification—it was about the actual physical effects of the lighting and its impact on the surrounding neighborhood, particularly the significant light trespass and intrusion it caused…see under EPDC 7.9 Exterior Lighting: A, C, & D.
This matter is not just about a difference of opinion. It’s about upholding community standards, maintaining respect for residential peace, and ensuring that development code is applied not just in form—but in function.
This situation reflects a disregard for community standards and code compliance. After I submitted the relevant section of the Development Code (highlighted above in bold) concerning light intrusion to the Mayor, Trustees, and Planning Department, the lights were subsequently turned off. This seemed to confirm the legitimacy of the complaint and the need for corrective action—or so I presumed, given that I received no response or acknowledgment from anyone. I would like to note that I have not received any further communication regarding this matter since June 5 up until now.
What’s truly unfortunate is the attempt to minimize it, rather than take accountability. Trying to dismiss this as a minor or short-lived issue is not only inaccurate—it’s dismissive of valid concerns that are well documented in communications with the Code Officer, including the Mayor and Planning Department.
This should never have escalated to this point, and it is unfortunate that instead of taking responsibility, the issue has been downplayed. But I won’t pretend this wasn’t a problem just because someone else wants to rewrite the facts.
It’s unfortunate that Mr. Theis is a developer, and this is not his first rodeo with the Estes Park Development Code. He states arguing over trivial things…well I was pointing out the facts within the Estes Park Development Code EPDC 7.9 Exterior Lighting: A, C, & D regarding light intrusion/trespass.
I have also sent a Refutation Letter to the Mayor, Trustees, and Community Development dept. on July 5th regarding Mr. Theis’ post he also put in the Trail-Gazette. I don’t subscribe to TG.
Be Respectful to Dark Skies, Wildlife & Wildlife Environment
by Mountain Truth Tazz