- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Boulder Flatiron 'ICE OUT' Message Made with Fabric, Not Vandalism
Officials say climbers used mesh fabric, did not deface the iconic rock formation.
Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:25pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Shortly after sunrise on Thursday, the words 'ICE OUT' appeared on the First Flatiron in Boulder, Colorado, sparking concerns about vandalism. However, a Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks spokesperson confirmed that the message was created using a white mesh fabric held up by six climbers, and that no damage was done to the rock formation.
Why it matters
The Boulder Flatirons are an iconic natural landmark, and the community is very protective of the open spaces. Any perceived defacement or vandalism of the rocks is taken seriously, as it could set a precedent for future incidents and damage the delicate ecosystem.
The details
The words appeared around 7:23 a.m. on the northernmost Flatiron. A Boulder Police Department drone confirmed that the letters were made of fabric, not paint. Officials intercepted four of the six climbers involved and are conducting interviews, but it appears they stayed on designated trails and did not attach anything directly to the rock.
- The words appeared on the First Flatiron around 7:23 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
- Last March, Boulder officials removed an upside-down American flag hung on the Second Flatiron.
The players
Sam Clusman
A spokesperson for Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
The agency responsible for managing the Boulder Flatirons and other open spaces in the area.
What’s next
Officials are continuing to investigate the incident and interview the climbers involved, but it appears no laws were broken and no damage was done to the Flatirons.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the community's strong attachment to the Boulder Flatirons and the need for climbers and visitors to be respectful of the natural environment, even when expressing political or social messages. The use of fabric instead of paint shows the climbers' awareness of the sensitivity around defacing the iconic rock formation.
