By Don Ireland
FAA-Certificated
Part 107 drone pilot
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.
The America 250-Colorado 150 Commission 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 developed through a partnership with the Commission, the Colorado Tourism Office, and Visit Denver. The recent 40-night holiday drone light shows in downtown Denver during November and December were a preview of what’s yet to come. (The downtown holiday drone show is also scheduled to return for a third season in November 2026.)
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 the University of Colorado’s home football game this past September, will be staged around the state from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope throughout 2026. “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.
In the near future, the commemorative drone light shows are scheduled as follows:
• Jan 30: The Snowdown Light Parade in Durango.
• Feb. 7: The Steamboat Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs.
The 250-150 Commission is also offering to bring the drone light shows to communities willing to contribute a share of the costs. Each show will be about 14 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. The local communities must be willing 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 hundreds of drones.
Availability is on a first come, first-served basis, pending approvals from the Commission and its major sponsors. For information on sponsoring a drone show, contact Terry.Fabrizio@ state.co.us.
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Over the past few years, drone light shows have been slowly replacing traditional fireworks shows in communities across the nation. One primary reason is safety, as falling ash from traditional fireworks can create fire hazards – especially in areas prone to wildfires. Another reason is that drones can be recharged 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.
Drone light shows have also become part of the normal activities at amusement parks such as Dolly wood (Tennessee), Lake Compounce (Connecticut), Fun Spot America (Florida), and Disney Springs (Florida), as well as special events at Six Flags parks nationwide. (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 featuring 16,000 drones at a single event.)
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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 operator, 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.
Let’s hope our local S&R teams don’t receive any calls about lost people in the nearby mountains during the current, sub-freezing nights.
(Editor’s note: Don Ireland was the recipient of Colorado Press Association’s 2024 “News Leader” award, presented in August 2025. His “Age of Drones” columns won CPA awards in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Ireland is a member of the Mountain West UAS organization, based in Buena Vista. This column appeared in the Weekly Register-Call of Black Hawk, CO and was reprinted by permission.)
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CUTLINES and GRAPHIC:
Logo for the America 250-Colorado 150 celebration.
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.
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