Niwot's largest holiday light display is ready to switch on

This year promises to be the largest of Chuck Rodgers' massive Niwot holiday light displays and is likely the final year for Rodgers' immense annual gift to the community. The enchanting, incomparable project that takes weeks to set up, and several weeks to take down, requires constant caretaking for the six weeks it is switched on each holiday season.

The unique and well-known display on 79th Street, just south of Highway 52, brings in a non-stop flow of drive-thru gawkers, but 2023 may be its swan song. According to Rodgers, the Christmas-themed lighted extravaganza is either going to be nonexistent or very pared down for the 2024 holiday season.

"I'm kind of ready to do other things for the holidays," Rodgers said. "Like going to see other people's displays or going away somewhere warm for the holidays." His dedication to the holiday display requires that he be physically present for three months of the year, because what Mother Nature throws at us means he's on duty to remove snow from inflatables and to deflate them when the wind picks up. Basically, repairs are never-ending while the display is active.

This year's set up began in mid-October by stringing up lights in the trees. One of his daughters and his seven-year-old grandson pitched in for a few days, but traditionally, the brunt of the work is done by Rodgers himself, who has had more than his share of mishaps making for great stories...told after he is healed.

A tumble from a deteriorating eight-foot ladder was this year's cautionary tale, resulting in a bruised elbow and hip (not the hip he'd injured in the past), causing a break in the action for a couple of days. "I knew I needed to get rid of that ladder a long time ago," Rodgers said while chuckling.

The nearly 65-year-old father of eight children and eight grandkids retired from his long-time job at Xcel Energy a year a half ago. The light display has been his passion for 37 years, more than half of his life.

"Years one to ten were [decorating] just the house and the front yard, and I called it good."

Back then, his teenage daughters were very unhappy because they couldn't use their hair dryers when the holiday lights were on, or the circuits would blow. As the light show stretched out to encompass the entire yard, Rodgers radically upgraded the property's electrical grid and started using LED bulbs, which has greatly reduced the high need to pull energy from the system.

Each year, the decorative elements expand. This year's most notable new components are 40-year-old wood cut-out reindeer. Because they're so delicate, placement out of the threat of wind is critical and yet to be determined.

What Rodgers creates is a joyful gift to the community and it also has become a major fundraiser for Longmont Meals on Wheels. Last year, the event raised over $21,000, and brought in more than 260 pounds of food, helping to feed individuals who are struggling to provide for themselves. This year will be the eighth year the extravaganza allows happy viewers to give to the community in a meaningful way.

There are two donation boxes along the light display route and QR codes to scan for those who would prefer to give online. Donations on behalf of the holiday lights exhibit may also be given by visiting https://givebutter.com/Niwotlights.

Rodgers was going to flip on the switch early, but two days of snow that began Thanksgiving night have set him back. So this Wednesday, Nov. 29, will be the official beginning of the final year for the enormous magical holiday show.

To see the most fantastic holiday light show for many miles around, visit 5980 79th Street, between Highway 52 and Lookout Road, from Wednesday, Nov. 29, to Wednesday, Dec. 6, from sundown to 9:30 p.m. Please note that on Thursday, Dec. 13, the show will start at 6:30 p.m.