Up along I-70 near on 50 miles west of Denver, up the hill from Georgetown, is the small town of Silver Plume. 640 feet elevation change in 2 miles. Once rich with silver mines, the railroad made it up this far. Although long gone, a small segment of the old railroad was rebuilt on the original roadbed between Georgetown and Silver Plume.

The town was formed in 1864, one of the earlier settlements in Colorado. Once having a population of just over 1000, there are now only about 200 people that live here. Much of the town and the railroad facilities were torn up when I-70 was built through the narrow pass. The historical Georgetown Loop Railroad has the engine house and related facilities located in Silver Plume which is the major business in town.

Silver Plume is a very small, old, rural mining town dating from the Colorado gold and silver rush of the last four decades of the 19th century. Most people don’t know the story behind the Colorado Ghost town that never dies. Located near historic Georgetown, historic Silver Plume is a former silver mining camp that was originally incorporated in 1880.

So up from town a ways off what I suspect was a section of old US6 or possibly the end of the old railroad grade was this Christmas tree. Although right next to I-70 (up the embankment in the photo), it was not visible from the Interstate and few people travel the old roadway.

But someone put up this piece of Christmas joy for the few to enjoy.