Country’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree Lights Up

The nation’s tallest living holiday tree is now aglow after an official lighting ceremony on Sunday. Covered in more than 10,000 LED lights, the tree stands in front of the historic Sardy House on Main Street across from Paepcke Park in Aspen. Carolers, hot cocoa and cookies greeted the hundreds of attendees who gathered to see the 28th annual tree-lighting.

The 16,000-square foot Sardy House was built in 1892 and was the longtime home of Tom Sardy, a former Pitkin County commissioner and businessman. John Devaney, CEO of United Capital Markets Inc., purchased the home for $16.25 million in 2006. Devaney is a Florida resident and uses the 16-bedroom home as an Aspen vacation home. Prior to Devaney’s purchasing of the home, the Sardy House operated as a high-end hotel and restaurant for many years. It’s currently listed for sale at an undisclosed price by Joshua & Co.