Were Christmas lights invented in Denver? Actually, kind of!
The American tradition of decorating yards with Christmas lights began as a small act of care in Denver, Colorado. The quiet story of one family and one idea rippled outward unexpectedly.
In 1914, Denver electrician David Dwight “D.D.” Sturgeon, founder of Sturgeon Electric, wanted to cheer up his young bed-ridden son. So, Sturgeon dipped light bulbs in red and green paint, wired them together, and draped them over a pine tree in his front yard near his son’s window.
Well, light has a way of drawing people in. Neighbors noticed the illuminated tree, and began to string their own. The Denver Post wrote about the display, and people came from all across Denver to see it in person. Little by little, that single gesture became a town tradition, turning into a city-wide Christmas light contest with over 100 contestants.
Just a few years later, the city joined the tradition when another Denver electrician hand-painted the bulbs at the Civic Center in red and green for the season. This was just the start of the public display that expanded over the decades as more lights were added to the building and surrounding grounds, shaping a spectacle that became part of Denver’s identity.
By 1920, Denver was known around the country as “The Christmas Capital of the World.” Visitors traveled to the Mile High City just to see the Christmas lights, and a local custom emerged: leaving lights up past New Year’s and through the end of the Stock Show in late January so attendees could enjoy the displays.
The visitors brought the idea home, decorated their own yards and the idea continued to spread beyond Denver and Colorado as other towns and cities joined in. Eventually, Christmas lights were manufactured and sold in stores. And so the countrywide tradition of decorating homes, streets, and public spaces with lights was born.
Innovation Doesn’t Always Look Like Invention
Innovation is perhaps imbedded in the human spirit. So much of what shapes our lives comes from small moments of ingenuity, whether it be someone trying something new, adapting what already exists, or finding a way to bring joy to another human being. A simple decoration, a handmade object, or a newly imagined tradition can spread quietly and become something shared. We create not only to solve problems, but also to express care, curiosity, and connection. While intellectual property law protects some forms of creativity, many meaningful ideas never fit neatly into a legal framework, and that does nothing to lessen their value.
This story from Denver is a reminder that innovation isn’t always about ownership or exclusivity. Sometimes its significance lies in how it brings people together, how it reflects our natural urge to create, and how it becomes part of the way we connect with one another. Ideas grow when they’re shared, and they often begin with love, curiosity, or the simple desire to make someone smile.
According to census records, Sturgeon’s young son did recover, perhaps helped along by the light, the joy, and the care beThind his father’s small gesture.
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Stemer Law (Stemer, P.A.) is a Denver trademark law firm serving clients across the U.S. and abroad. With 1,000+ trademarks filed, we make brand protection simple, affordable, and effective. To speak with a trademark attorney contact us at hello@stemerlaw.com or (303) 928-1094.
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