In a city known for its art, creativity and connection, few traditions capture the spirit of Loveland quite like the love lock sculptures. These interactive works of public art have become beloved landmarks—places where visitors and locals alike can leave behind a symbol of love, friendship or personal meaning. And now, that tradition continues to grow.
Loveland now has a new love lock sculpture downtown outside the Loveland Museum, and inside, the museum is home to a new branch of the Visitors Center, which opened July 18, 2025. Read on to find out more about the details of the new sculpture, the history of the love lock sculptures in Loveland and more about what you’ll find at the Visitors Center branch.
A New Sculpture and Visitors Center in Downtown Loveland
In mid-July, the City of Loveland and Visit Loveland introduced a new addition to the tradition in the Sweetheart City: a third love lock sculpture, now located just outside the Loveland Museum in the heart of downtown. The sculpture, designed and engineered by local artist Doug Rutledge, features 40 red steel hearts in a large heart formation with a custom grid on the back, perfect for placing a padlock to commemorate your connection.
The sculpture unveiling coordinated with the debut of a new Visitors Center branch inside the Loveland Museum. This expansion offers a new central stop for guests to pick up maps, browse locally made gifts and artwork and even purchase or engrave a lock to add to the sculpture right outside. With the museum as a backdrop, the new location adds depth and meaning to an already cherished tradition.
The History of Loveland’s Love Lock Sculptures
Loveland’s first love lock sculpture debuted at the 2019 Sweetheart Festival, a 30-foot-wide, 10-foot-tall steel structure spelling out “LOVE.” It was later installed near the Visitors Center, off Interstate 25 and Highway 34, and quickly became a favorite spot for photos, proposals and quiet moments of celebration.
Later that year, a second sculpture, a bold red steel heart, was installed near the southeast side of Lake Loveland. Both sculptures were designed to safely support the weight of hundreds of locks and quickly filled with tokens of connection left by visitors from all over the world.
Over time, the sculptures reached capacity and the community’s enthusiasm made it clear: the tradition had outgrown its space. The new downtown sculpture provides a fresh canvas for love stories old and new, while honoring the roots of what makes this tradition special.
Two additional sculptures will also be installed before the end of 2025, one near the main Visitors Center off Interstate 25 and another near the Lake Loveland site, bringing the total to five.
Become a part of Loveland’s Love Lock Story
Seal the bond with your loved one by placing a lock on the sculpture that speaks most to you. Locks are available for purchase at both Visitors Center locations. You’re also welcome to bring your own metal lock (just keep it smaller than 4″ x 4″ x 3″).
During business hours, both Visitors Centers offer free engraving tools so you can customize your lock with a name, date or personal message. Once it’s ready, simply attach it to the metal grid on the back of any of Loveland’s love lock sculptures and toss your key into a nearby trash can.
When you lock your love, don’t forget to snap a photo and tag @visitlovelandco using #VisitLoveland and #LovelandLoveLocks to share your story with fellow sweethearts and sculpture lovers around the world.
A Brief History of Love Locks
The act of locking your love with a padlock goes far beyond our sculptures in Loveland. Though their exact origin is debated, the tradition has roots in places like Serbia, Italy and France, where couples have placed locks on bridges and railings for generations.
The act of placing a lock, and often tossing the key, represents an unbreakable bond, and over time, the tradition has spread worldwide. As Loveland considered implementing love locks into our Sweetheart City catalogue of activities, the city commissioned sculptures that would carry on the tradition with thoughtfully engineered design, meant to hold as many locks as possible.
The Loveland Museum: A Cultural Anchor
Placing the new Visitors Center inside the museum and the new sculpture outside the museum provides a seamless experience for visitors passing through downtown to participate in local activities. The Loveland Museum has long been a staple of downtown Loveland. Founded in 1937 by Harold Dunning, a local author, curator and mountain guide, the museum features permanent and rotating history exhibits, hosts world-class art shows, and offers a diverse range of public programming.
Less than 5% of museums in the United States are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and the Loveland Museum is one of them, a distinction that no other institution in northern Colorado holds. With the addition of the Visitors Center branch inside, the museum now offers even more ways for guests to connect with Loveland’s past and present in one inspiring stop.
A Tradition That Keeps Growing
With the addition of a third sculpture and a new Visitors Center branch downtown, Loveland’s love lock tradition continues to grow in all the right ways. It’s more accessible, more meaningful and more connected to the heart of the city in downtown Loveland at the Loveland Museum. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or looking to start a new tradition close to home, there’s never been a better time to experience the art, history and heartfelt charm of the Sweetheart City.
Stop by, lock your love, experience Loveland history and see for yourself what makes Loveland a place where every connection leaves a mark.
Simplified Summary
Add This to Your Itinerary: Loveland’s New Love Lock Sculpture and Downtown Visitors Center Loveland is known for love, art, and creativity. One of the city’s favorite traditions is the Love Lock Sculptures—big metal art pieces where people place padlocks to show love, friendship, or special memories. Now, there’s a brand-new Love Lock Sculpture outside the Loveland Museum, right in the heart of downtown. On July 18, 2025, the city also opened a new Visitors Center inside the museum. You can stop in for maps, local gifts, and even buy or engrave a lock to place on the sculpture. About the New Sculpture The new sculpture was created by local artist Doug Rutledge. It’s made of 40 red steel hearts shaped into one big heart. There’s a metal grid on the back where you can attach your lock to share your story. The Love Lock Tradition in Loveland The first sculpture was put up in 2019. It spelled out the word LOVE and is near the main Visitors Center. Later that year, a second heart sculpture was added by Lake Loveland. Both are filled with locks left by people from around the world. As these filled up, Loveland decided to add more. The new downtown sculpture gives even more people a place to take part in this fun and meaningful tradition. Two more sculptures are coming later this year, bringing the total to five. How to Take Part You can bring your own lock (no bigger than 4"x4"x3") or buy one at the Visitors Centers. During open hours, you can even engrave your lock with a name, date, or message—for free! Then attach it to a sculpture and toss your key in the trash (don’t throw it in nature). Take a photo and share it with the hashtags #VisitLoveland and #LovelandLoveLocks to join the community. The History of Love Locks People have been placing love locks for over 100 years. The idea started in places like Serbia, Italy, and France, where couples would lock their love onto bridges and throw away the key to show that their love was forever. Loveland’s sculptures carry on this tradition in a safe and artistic way. The Loveland Museum The Loveland Museum is a special place that shows the city’s history and art. It was founded in 1937 and is one of the few museums in the U.S. with top-level accreditation. Now, it also includes a Visitors Center where you can get info and gifts—and join in the Love Lock tradition. Visit Loveland and Lock Your Love With this new sculpture and Visitors Center downtown, it’s easier than ever to join in Loveland’s love story. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, stop by, add your lock, explore the museum, and make a memory that lasts.