Qwest sign lights to go out: Will fireworks at Elitch Gardens fizzle next?

The Denver skyline is changing -- fast. On Monday, CenturyLink will start taking down the blue Qwest signs that have glowed like alien azure orbs above downtown Denver for a decade. We were discussing this development while waiting for the fireworks show that has become a nightly feature at Elitch Gardens.

And waited. And waited. But the fireworks show that has punctuated the night -- and a few eardrums -- every day since late May was a no-show.

Has Elitch management succumbed to complaints from a few neighbors who somehow didn't realize they'd bought a loft near an amusement park? The show had already dialed back on the "high percussive" fireworks that were the loudest. (They appeared to use them all up in a spectacular display on the 4th of July, when it's unpatriotic to complain about fireworks.) Will these residents next be complaining about loud kids running down the street with inner tubes and towels?

We'll find out. But in the meantime, here's the flip side on the festivities from Bill, posted in response to my celebration of the nightly fireworks display.

Here's a Wake-Up Call. Let me remind you that your ability to freely express an opinion supporting Elitch's fireworks is due to the protection of the U.S. Constitution. If you would just do a little research prior to your next editorial, you would find this very same Constitution not only protects fee speech but also citizens' property rights. After only one Google search, you would see that property rights include the quiet enjoyment of what many Americans aspire to -- legal ownership of a piece of land and the home upon which it is built. So, unless you have some sort of double standard, or are extremely hypocritical, might I suggest you celebrate property rights with the same type of enthusiasm as you appear to enjoy your free speech at Westword. Personally, even though it does violate my rights, I celebrate all my freedoms every July 4th weekend by admiring the numerous fireworks displays throughout the City of Denver. Do just one more Google search and you will find that was the originally-intended purpose of fireworks. All other times, fireworks that infringe upon the quiet enjoyment of property earned while pursuing the ostensible dream of every American is no different than me telling you what you can say in your editorials - an egregious violation of your rights as protected by the U.S. Constitution. And I'm sure that type of violation would indeed make you a cranky neighbor.

Crankier than I was after promising a table of poker players a light show -- and not only losing all my cash, but also credibility?

More from our Calhoun: Wake-Up Call archive: "National Western Stock Show heading to Aurora? Hold your horses!"