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Ft. Collins, CO – The City Council of Ft. Collins, Colorado, will vote next week on a controversial plan to limit traditional Christmas decorations on public property. The city is even considering banning the colors red and green because they are colors associated with Christmas.

Earlier this year, the city appointed a “Holiday Display Task Force,” which includes a representative from the Northern Colorado Chapter of the ACLU. Although the ACLU’s legal information was considered, the committee did not include a representative of any other legal organization that could present a balancing viewpoint. After reviewing the task force recommendations, which severely limit Christmas decorations, Liberty Counsel has issued a letter warning the City Council that its censorship is not well-grounded in legal precedent.

The task force is urging that the city decorate with “white lights, winter symbols not traditionally associated with any particular holiday (snowflakes, icicles, etc.) and unadorned garlands of greenery (not decorated with ribbons or ornaments).” The task force also recommended that trees should “feature white lights and avoid decorations that would dilute the broad multi-cultural message, unless they are part of a display.” City staff is encouraged to remove ornaments or stars from trees and red ribbons from wreaths.

Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “Banning the colors red and green because they are associated with Christmas is as absurd as it is tragic. Is the next step to ban gift giving because of the association with Christmas? Christmas is a wonderful and joyous holiday. It is sad and unfortunate that some people are intent on eliminating Christmas because of its Christian theme. People from around the country ought to call the Ft. Collins City Council and protest the ridiculous recommendation of the Holiday Display Task Force.”

The phone number of the Ft. Collins City Manager is 970-221-6505. Mayor Doug Hutchinson can be reached at 970-416-2154.