Entry No. 129 — the Denver file — filed under: hillside-star
Palmer Lake Star
Hand-built by volunteers in 1935 to lift Depression-era spirits, the Palmer Lake Star is a 457-foot-wide, five-pointed star outlined in LED lights across a 58-percent slope of Sundance Mountain — listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and still lit every December plus special occasions, visible from I-25 for miles in either direction. A KKTV live broadcast confirmed it was lit for Memorial Day 2026, and a community Chili Supper lighting event ran November 29, 2025.
The move: Drive up to Palmer Lake in late November or December for the annual Star Lighting and Chili Supper (held the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the town center), watch the hillside blaze to life after dark, then walk the short trail up Sundance Mountain to stand among the glowing posts — a strange, quiet, genuinely moving piece of small-town Americana that you can see from 30 miles away on I-25.
📍 Before you go The star sits on a steep slope of Sundance Mountain just west of the town of Palmer Lake — when lit, it's easy to spot from a distance off I-25 or Colorado Highway 105, and you don't need to climb anything to take it in. To stand among the light posts themselves, hike the Sundance Mountain Loop from the Palmer Lake Reservoir Trailhead; it's a moderately challenging few miles with loose, steep footing on the descent, so wear real shoes and skip it in icy or wet conditions. The trailhead lot is small and paid, and dogs aren't allowed on that trail. Hiking season runs roughly spring through fall, while the star itself is a winter spectacle best seen after dark — lighting dates shift, so check ahead. Pair it with a wander around little Palmer Lake's town center.
- 📍 Palmer Lake
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 500 Highland Road, Palmer Lake, CO 80133
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: coloradoencyclopedia.org · Official site · kktv.com
last checked: 2026-06-07