Driving past a high-tech holiday light display in Highlands Ranch has turned into an annual tradition that attracts families from all over the metro area.
The Wortham family spends three days strategically placing 43,000 LED lights all over their house at 1582 Meyerwood Circle and synchronizing them to Christmas music that plays on an fm station that passers-by can tune into. Cleve Wortham said the display slowly evolved and three years ago was turned into a mechanism to raise money for charity.
United Cerebral Palsy Colorado is the beneficiary of donations that onlookers drop into a box in the Worthams' front yard. This year's donations have dropped sharply, however, the past two years have generated $7,000 for kids with cerebral palsy.
The compliments and thank-you cards from those who make the display a part of their holiday season are well-received, Wortham said.
"My biggest kick is watching people enjoying something you worked on," he said. "For some people, it makes their Christmas season and that's very satisfying."
The idea came about when Wortham's youngest daughter suggested during a trip around Denver to see the light displays that the family attempt to get listed with others in the Denver Post by building their own production. Putting the whole thing together is a group effort, with the take-down being the most important part, Wortham said.
The family uses energy efficient light bulbs, cutting the total cost for running the computer-animated light exhibit to about $150. Neighbors surrounding the home have been very supportive. The lights will be turned off on New Year's Day.
One intersection that led to the city looking into the project was Alabama Highway 69 South and Skyland Boulevard, Robinson said.
"That one got us looking at how we can better get the attention of drivers that are just ignoring red lights," Robinson said.
The study will break down types of accidents and try to pull out of that list the intersections that show the highest rate of right-angle collisions.
Robinson said the process to get legislative approval for red light cameras in Tuscaloosa began seven years ago. The Legislature passed a state law in 2010 allowing the city to use the cameras for traffic enforcement.
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