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Drivers heading east toward Denver, Colorado, on Saturday morning were shocked to see a massive Nazi swastika spread across a hillside near the Morrison exit on Interstate 70.
Jefferson County deputies launched a criminal investigation within hours, describing the swastika as “a vile, antisemitic symbol of hate.”
Officers documented the scene using both photos and drones before crews scaled the steep hill to take the tarp down. The area, managed by Jefferson County Open Space, made access difficult, yet workers managed to remove the material by mid-morning.
Soon after, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners released a statement denouncing the incident: “We strongly condemn this vile, antisemitic symbol of hate. We stand united with our community against intolerance in any form. This shameful act does not reflect our community’s values and will not be tolerated.”
Jewish Leaders Decry Escalating Hatred
Brandon Rattiner, Senior Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council at Jewish Colorado, said he learned of the swastika early that morning through a security alert. That system, he explained, exists because Jews have had to take their own safety measures after deadly synagogue attacks across the country.
“Our security apparatus was built after people came into synagogues and killed Jews,” Rattiner said. “It was activated here in Boulder again after somebody came and killed Jews. There is a security tax for being Jewish in America and all throughout the world, and it’s a shame that we have to pay it.”
He said his phone quickly filled with messages from concerned friends and relatives sharing photos. “I can’t fathom what drives someone to do this in the dead of night — to set up a swastika just so thousands of people would see it the next morning,” he said. “The goal is simple: to frighten Jews and spread hate.”
Rattiner stressed that the act goes beyond vandalism. “The harm of putting that symbol there is in how it normalizes antisemitism,” he noted. “There’s this narrative that Jews are exaggerating the rise of antisemitism, or that we’re just trying to silence criticism of Israel — but seeing a swastika on I-70 makes it clear that’s false. That isn’t politics; it’s pure hate.”
He warned that silence would only embolden those who commit such acts. “If we don’t take a clear stand now,” he said, “we risk letting hate creep further into our culture. There’s simply no room for it in our society.”
Colorado Confronts Rising Antisemitism
Stop Antisemitism Colorado also condemned the display and urged public officials to speak out forcefully. Co-executive director Stefanie Clarke said the incident reflects a deeper problem.
“This vile act is a stark reminder that antisemitism continues to rise here in Colorado,” she said. “For the past two years, antisemitism has been repackaged and excused under the guise of anti-Zionism or hostility toward Israel. But this was never just about Israel — it has always been about Jews.”
Her statement echoes what many Jewish Coloradans have said — antisemitic hostility is becoming more blatant, more organized, and more accepted in public discourse.
Demand for Justice and Solidarity
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said those responsible could face criminal charges as well as fines and open-space violations. Deputies continue collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to ensure accountability.
Although the tarp came down within hours, its psychological impact remains. “The last few years have been a painful reminder to the Jewish community that we can’t take our safety or belonging for granted,” Rattiner said. “Events like this just hammer that point home and make us feel more vulnerable.”
As antisemitism becomes increasingly normalized, Jewish leaders warn that the Colorado incident must serve as a wake-up call. Communities, they say, need to respond with resolve — through education, solidarity, and a zero-tolerance stance against hate. Only then can society begin to reverse this dangerous trend.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.