Decorating the Courthouse

Decorating the Pueblo County Courthouse for Christmas is no easy task, but Decorators Karen Farbo and Elaine Madrid take on the challenge each year through their joint business Holi-Dazzle Decor. The duo comes up with a theme and then works to make their vision come to life by adding unique decorations to the Courthouse. 

The theme in 2023 was "Angelic Reflections."  The decorators chose this theme because of the history of angels is universal.  "It could be a messenger for a loved one, it could be a guardian angel a lot of people connect to the idea of angels," said Elaine Madrid. "Angels bring a feeling of calmness and peace and that is the message we wanted to send to the community this year."

"This is a true labor of love and we truly do enjoy doing it and it's something the community gets a lot of joy out of," said Karen Farbo. "We spend literally an entire year talking and planning shopping and just getting ideas."

In 2022 the theme was "Storybook Christmas" while in 2021 it was "Enchanted Christmas"

Karen and Elaine work all year on their idea for the unique themes, and then in late October they work with Pueblo County's Media Relations and Facilities teams to bring all of their ideas to life through unique decorations.  

"My feeling is just a sense of pride, when you have an awesome product you have a great sense of satisfaction," said Elaine Madrid.

In addition to their unique decorations, traditionally they decorate the 18-foot Christmas tree in the Rotunda. The tree has thousands of beautiful LED lights that accompany beautiful decorations. 

"When you look at the finished product it is like oh my gosh all of this hard work and everything has paid off.  We really hope the community enjoys all of the decorations," said Karen Farbo.

In addition to Farbo & Madrid's work, Pueblo County Facility & Media Relations teams spend about two weeks putting together dozens of Christmas trees and decorations which are displayed throughout the Courthouse. One of the biggest tasks is to setup the enormous Christmas tree displayed in the Rotunda. Each year it is decorated with thousands of lights and dozens of ornaments, while two 17-foot trees are also on display on the second floor. 

In late October crews take about a week to decorate trees and bushes with thousands of LED lights on the grounds of the Courthouse. The lights are illuminated during the Courthouse Lighting Ceremony which takes place the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.