The lighted cross on Lobo Mountain above Meeker, CO is a tall story with White River Electric Association (WREA) providing the details, along with the maintenance that keeps the cross lit year-round, according to the Herald Times.
“The first year I helped was 1960,” said former WREA employee Leon Stout. He’s not sure who had the original idea to install the original wood-framed cross on a radio antenna pole and light it during the month of December and on Easter weekend. When WREA acquired the 100 foot microwave radio tower, Stout said they took 200-300 feet of light strings to the new tower with the intention of creating a lighted star.
“We didn’t have enough lights, so we made a cross instead.”
As the years progressed and technology changed, so did the cross’ lighting. Over time, the cross has been illuminated using neon tubes, fluorescent tubes, and most recently, LED strings, according to the Herald Times.
“It’s an aggressive environment,” said former WREA General Manager and current WREA board member Richard Welle, noting steps had to be taken to protect the lighting system from harsh weather and cold temperature. “I have to give a shout-out to the linemen who climb that 100-foot tower to replace lights,” Welle said.
WREA paid for the maintenance and cost of lighting since the beginning. “If part of it goes out, people let us [WREA] know instantly. A lot of people look at it,” Welle told The Times.
Members of the local ministerial alliance surveyed the community to determine support for keeping the cross lit year-round. The results were positive, and the cross continues to shine.
December 22, 2017
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