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Much has been written about the effects of global warming on polar bears in their natural habitat but what about Loveland’s Christmas polar
bear family? Some have charged the city’s all volunteer Winter Holiday Council of practicing a type of Christmas decoration “Apartheid” by
refusing to accept diversity in bear species.
Unlike bears in the wild who hibernate in the winter and come out in spring, Loveland’s polar bear family hibernates during most of the year
and only comes out during the winter. They are part of the Loveland Winter Holiday Council's annual Christmas decorations placed
throughout city. Money is raised through the sale of Christmas ornaments each year by the council to support the city's many Christmas
displays.
Like many residents of Loveland, the bears arrived during Loveland’s population explosion of the 1990’s. Originally on display near Lake
Loveland, they eventually moved to a location near the Egg & I restaurant on 287 and this year are all the way down on south Lincoln near
the city limits.
While global warming hasn’t impacted Loveland’s polar bear family they certainly have felt the effect of everyday pollution. Spending spring
and summer in a storage facility, their once white coats have turned from white slowly to brown as they stand along busy roads during the
Christmas season and sit in hot storage during the summer. Some blame the mag chloride placed on Loveland roadways during winter while
others blame diesel fumes for staining their once white fur.
Regardless of the cause, local advocates for the bears claim the color change has come at a cost to their social standing in the community thus
lowering their socio-economic status. Once dominating the prime display locations near Lake Loveland and in Veteran’s Park, they slowly
migrated east of the railroad tracks onto 287 as their color changed.
Now a distinct brownish-beige some describe as almost cinnamon they have been relegated to an area near the city limits in sight of an auto
parts store. The heavier traffic and more industrial location on the edge of Barnes Field have caused concern in the community for the safety
of the bears. Gone is the bow and wrapping on their gift prop and the accompanying Christmas lights that once surrounded the bears when
they were still white.
According to the NAACB (National Association for the Advancement of Colored Bears) and Loveland’s chapter of Las Especies (Spanish
for The Species) who promote unity among brown bears emanating from the south, Loveland’s once white bears turning brown may be
responsible for their fall from grace.
According to an Estes Park black bear who leads the Larimer County Chapter of the NAACB, “I tried to participate in a living manger scene
in Loveland back in 2006 but they shot me with tranquilizers, kidnapped me and dumped me in a remote location.” He complained all this
took place while the polar bear family watched peacefully from their spot near the Ole’ Golf Course off 29th Street in West Loveland.
Carlos, a grizzly bear speaking for Las Especies agrees. According to Carlos, Loveland has never used brown bears or grizzly bears in any
of their holiday displays or decorations. However, Carlos did acknowledge a grizzly bear sculpture in Benson Park but claimed that is really
left to interpretation since the color is bronze.
Speaking strictly off-the-record, one member of Loveland’s City Council denied providing preferential treatment to any one species of bears
in the community. He stated, “Our kids grew-up admiring the Loveland Christmas polar bear family.” He said the polar bears were
welcomed into the Loveland community years ago but that their color had nothing to do with it. He said the demotion of the Christmas polar
bear family did come with their change in color but mostly because it caused confusion among Loveland’s children as to the real color of polar
bears. “Dangerous man-eating grizzly bears are hardly appropriate for a Christmas display” he commented.
The Loveland Councilman may need to abandon his reckless stereotypes and start accepting some polar bears who don't look the way he
thinks they should. In 2006 the Canadian Government confirmed a cross between a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and a grizzly (Ursus arctos
horribilis) was killed. This new species is the result of polar bears migrating south that have mixed with grizzly bears to create a new beige or
dirty brown looking polar bear of a color remarkably similar to Loveland's Christmas polar bears. Nonetheless, Loveland’s brownish-beige
polar bears still must play second fiddle to more traditional figures like the nutcracker soldiers until views change.
As far as Loveland Winter Holiday Council practicing Apartheid, the committee coordinator failed to return an email request by
LovelandPolitics for an interview. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce, which supports the volunteer committee, stated off-the-record that
bears of all species are welcome in their holiday decorations but those polar bears lost their credibility as their color changed. The Winter
Holiday Council, named for an imaginary holiday to avoid mentioning Christmas, seethed privately at the accusation they would have acted in
anyway that wasn't completely politically correct.
One well placed source from Loveland’s Chamber of Commerce noted they do not use the term “Christmas” in their name so she wondered
aloud why they don't include a diversity of bear species in their displays. “We are sorry if other bears are offended but I assure you color had
nothing to do with the polar bear display being moved it was just getting really old and tired looking.”
While the father of Loveland’s Christmas polar bear family denies rumors that he may sue the city, witnesses report seeing a large brownish-
beige polar bear visiting a local attorney’s offices in downtown Loveland two weeks ago. As well recognized local celebrates, Loveland's
polar bear family cannot make a move in the community without drawing attention and comments.
According to that attorney, “It doesn’t matter how Loveland’s Christmas polar bears lost their pristine white fur and wrapping on their gift
prop and surrounding Christmas lights. The fact is they may have a claim under Title IX for equal treatment by the Winter Holiday Council in
the Christmas displays.” The attorney did not indicate who would be paying the bear's legal fees but did clarify even his firm has a policy
against representing non-white polar bears pro bono.
No word on whether the bears plan to stay in the community but to many they are an institution in Loveland. Their departure could create
political shock waves in this community that clearly loves the bears no matter what color they are. The backlash could spell trouble for
incumbents on Loveland’s council looking to be re-elected next year even if they did’t have a hand in the decision. As one resident who
asked to remain anonymous commented, "those bears deserve better and I will not see them humiliated any longer."
In all seriousness, you can still contribute to Loveland's Winter Holiday Council by purchasing the 2010 Christmas ornament at the Loveland
Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center or businesses around Loveland. Here is a link to their site.
Also, feel free to comment on the story on our blog.
Have A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friendly LovelandPolitics volunteer staff!
| Christmas Bear Trouble in Loveland |
| but did say, "As a Loveland Christmas display Commerce I feel a little Commerce I feel a little uncomfortable talking with LovelandPolitics. All we want is to be restored to our previous glory. We did interview for a job with Coeur d'Alene but they refused after I sent updated publicity photos." |