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A giant swastika has been spotted off Interstate 70, near the town of Golden.
Social media users began reporting the swastika and sharing photos of the giant symbol early Saturday, October 11. The swastika was reported “around sunrise,” according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Jacki Kelley. According to Kelley, the swastika was made of white sheets that were anchored to the ground, keeping them in place on a windy morning.
The swastika was placed off the side of Interstate 70 near exit 259, in Jefferson County Open Space near Lookout Mountain. Kelley says Jeffco Open Space Rangers were already dismantling the swastika by 10 a.m. on Saturday. The swastika was documented with photography and a potential drone to “give us a better look at the size,” Kelley adds.
“We’ve taken a report on it. Obviously, we have no idea who did this. But it’s documented, and a report has been taken. If we should learn more about who did this, we would look into it more,” Kelley says. “I would say that the Sheriff’s Office is as disturbed as anyone driving by…it’s coming down right now.”
Although clearly disturbing to Kelley and passersby, placing the swastika on the hillwide likely wouldn’t qualify as vandalism, she notes, as she doesn’t think any property damage was done.
“We’re still trying to find out more,” she says.
Once an ancient symbol of peace and well-being, the swastika became synonymous with the Nazi party and Adolf Hitler. The symbol is still commonly used by neo-Nazis and white supremacists in America. According to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, the United States and other countries have seen an “explosion” in active neo-Nazi groups in the 2020s.
The Anti-Defamation League Mountain States division condemned the act in a statement, urging anyone with information to come forward.
“This deeply disturbing incident serves as a painful reminder of the antisemitism and hate that continues to threaten our communities. The swastika, forever tainted by its association with the Nazi regime and the Holocaust, remains one of the most recognizable symbols of hate and has no place in our society. Now more than ever, we must stand together as a community to reject hate in all its forms and reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive society where all people can live safely and with dignity and respect,” regional director Susan Rona says. “Our team has reached out to local law enforcement and urge anyone with information about this incident to contact authorities immediately.”
