February 24, 2025

Thornton’s two newest sculptures combine the majesty of Colorado wildlife with the imagination of folktales. Artist J. Aaron Alderman created this stag and bear as part of Thornton's pollinator habitat series. The animal sculptures have small houses integrated into the art to encourage pollinators species to call the art "home".

The stag sculpture, “Observe,” has a village of houses growing from its antlers, with more tiny homes visible inside the stag's body. "Observe" is located at the south end of Eastlake #2 Open Space, southeast of E. 124th Ave. and Claude Court.

The bear sculpture, “Endure,” has a ridge of houses emerging from its back, and additional houses inside its body. "Endure" can be found at the south end of Grange Creek Park, near E. 108th Ave. and Birch Ct.

Both sculptures can be viewed from nearby roads and paved sidewalks, or from nearby open space trails. Parks and horticulture are adding landscaping to further support pollinator species.