Drone shows wil be big part of state’s 150 th aniversary
It won’t be the lyrical “rockets’ red glare”
lighting the skies around Colorado in 2026.
Rather, dozens of patriotic-themed drone
light shows – instead of fireworks –will be
part of the many anniversary celebrations
across the Centennial State.
Drones
Drones
The America 250-Colorado 150 Commis-
sion is taking the milestone celebrations to
new heights with its “Stories in the Skies”
series, featuring nearly 150 drone shows now
through the end of December.
Some of the drone light shows were devel-
oped through a partnership with the Commis-
sion, the Colorado Tourism Office, and Visit
Denver. The recent 40-night holiday drone
light shows in downtown Denver during
The“Age of Drones”
column is a 3-time
Colorado Press Assn.
“Better Newspaper Award”
winner, 2022, 2023 & 2024
FAA-
Certified
Part 107
Drone Pilot
November and December were a
preview of what’s yet to come. (The
holiday drone show is also sched-
uled to return for a third season in
November 2026.)
Be prepared before the next power outage.
Another series of drone light
shows, called “Stories in the Sky
Statewide Series,” is sponsored by
Chevron, Tallgrass and UCHealth.
That series of shows, which began
with a drone-light display during
football game this past September,
will be staged around the state from
the Eastern Plains to the Western
“Each drone show will focus for
two or three minutes on the history
of the community in that area,” not-
ed Judge Gary Jackson, a member
of the state’s America 250-Colorado
150 Commission.
Lighted drones will take the form of the Denver Broncos’
mascot and other well-known Colorado symbols at
shows around the state this year.
Photo courtesy of Tammy Broskey
In the near future, the commemora-
follows:
and reused for numerous shows, unlike fireworks,
which are a one-time use.
However, those who prefer traditional fireworks
insist there’s nothing quite like the booming noise
when they go off in the sky – although local dogs
might not agree with their human counterparts.
• Jan. 22: The Ouray Ice Festival in
Ouray.
• Jan 30: The Snowdown Light Parade
in Durango.
Drone light shows have also become part of the
–
wood (Tennessee), Lake Compounce (Connecticut),
Fun Spot America (Florida), and Disney Springs
(Florida), as well as special events at Six Flags parks
nationwide.
• Feb. 7: The Steamboat Winter Carni
val in Steamboat Springs.
The 250-150 Commission is also of-
fering to bring the drone light shows to
communities willing to contribute a share
minutes, including 10 minutes of America
250-Colorado 150 content, in addition to
two minutes of regional content and two
minutes for up to four sponsors.
(By the way, if you’ve never seen a drone light
show – including those set to music – do a search
on YouTube. There are plenty from around the
world available to watch online, including some
Guinness Record-setting drone light shows featur-
ing 16,000 drones at a single event.)
The local communities must be will-
ing to contribute between $10,000 and
$18,000 for their local shows. The pricing
includes full coordination of the show,
FAA approvals required for an evening
show, creative development, and the cost
to execute the show, which includes hun-
dreds of drones. Availability is on a first-
come, first-served basis, pending approv-
als from the Commission and its major
sponsors. For information on sponsoring
a drone show, contact Terry.Fabrizio@
state.co.us.
* * *
A drone equipped with a thermal camera helped
locate and rescue a 61-year-old man from LaGrange,
Kentucky, a few days before Christmas. After taking
his usual walk from home that day, the man became
lost for nearly 29 hours in freezing conditions in the
wooded, mountainous area near his home.
The Oldham County Search and Rescue team was
called for assistance. They brought their thermal
drone, which can detect heat signatures from people
and warm-blooded animals. The S&R’s drone op-
erator, Justin Hilliard, spotted the lost man curled
in a fetal position, allowing ground crews to locate
and rescue him. He was taken to a waiting ATV and
transported to a hospital in good spirits.
* * *
Over the past few years, drone light
shows have been slowly replacing tradi-
tional fireworks shows in communities
across the nation. One primary reason
fireworks can create fire hazards – espe-
cially in areas prone to wildfires. Another
reason is that drones can be recharged
Receive a free 5-year warranty
with qualifying purchase*
– valued at $535.
The patrol division of the Gilpin County Sheriff’s
Office also has a drone equipped with a thermal
lens, which has been used to locate lost hikers
during the summer months. Let’s hope they don’t
receive any calls about lost people in the nearby
mountains during the current, sub-freezing nights.
