Commercial signs that tower over highway exits may be staples across the country, but in Castle Rock, they're considered eyesores.

"They certainly don't add glamour to the skyline," said Castle Rock Mayor Randy Reed.

The town council is trying to pass an ordinance to prevent signs taller than 20 feet from going up in the future to preserve the "town's existing scenic quality," said Jason Reynolds, town zoning manager.

Reynolds said the town's master plan talks about preserving the views into Castle Rock and presenting a positive image to people entering the town.

The signs in question are off of the Wolfensberger Road exit on Interstate 25.

Reynolds said 13 businesses have "freeway-oriented signs" near the highway exit, with an average height of 53 feet.

While those businesses will be able to keep their existing signs, the proposed ordinance would ban new signs.

Initially, the ordinance called for businesses to take down signs if they were damaged. Reed said the provision worried restaurant owners who feared they would lose customers.

Council members amended the ordinance, allowing businesses to replace damaged signs. "We're not trying to take away anybody's signs that are already there. We just don't want any more," Reed said.

However, the ordinance has the potential to do away with existing signs if a business with a big sign is abandoned for 180 days.

Although Reed said the signs once served a purpose, he thinks they're now useless because drivers are alerted about gas, food and lodging from information signs on the road.

"Personally, I feel they're kind of a dinosaur," he said.

The town council will vote whether to approve the proposal Aug. 28.

morenoi@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2895