January 2015
100 years of
Rocky Mountain National Park
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[contents]
January 2015
[cover]
Ranger cabins sit buried in snow in Rocky Mountain National Park’s Kawuneeche Valley. Photo by Bob Ferguson.
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16
4 Viewpoint
20 Recipes
5 Letters
22 Gardening
Co-op innovation, ingenuity around the state caught on tape
Egg-ceptional recipes that you can make with nature’s perfect little package
6 Calendar
7
24 Outdoors
Co-op News
12 NewsClips 14 Tiny Houses
More than the size of a house affects your energy usage
16 Rocky Mountain National Park
100 years of wilderness, wildlife and wonder on Rocky’s west side
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Take a gardening quiz to sharpen your skills for the next growing season Bamboo makes a come back as fly fishing equipment comes full circle
Explore online
coloradocountrylife.coop
This month’s online extras 4WATCH co-ops explain renewable energy
both outdoors and indoors
4CONNECT with a map of co-ops that
29 Funny Stories
30 Discoveries
and energy efficiency
4FIND a variety of winter activities,
serve in poverty areas
4LEARN about siding filled with algae that can heat a building
4ENJOY a slide show of Rocky Mountain
National Park
4PICK UP some tips for making Fiery
eggs are produced in the United States each year
®
x
25 Energy Tips
75 million
days you can enjoy awesome Western entertainment at the National Western Stock Show
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Deviled Eggs
415
square miles in Rocky Mountain National Park
The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association || Volume 46, Number 01 COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor@303-455-4111; mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Donna Wallin, Associate Editor; dwallin@coloradocountrylife.org Amy Higgins, Editorial Assistant/Writer; ahiggins@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING: Kris Wendtland@303-902-7276, advertising@coloradocountrylife.org; NCM@800-626-1181 SUBSCRIPTIONS: info@coloradocountrylife.coop
EDITORIAL: Denver Corporate Office, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216; Phone: 303-455-4111 • Email: mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org • Website: coloradocountrylife.coop • Facebook: facebook.com/COCountryLifw • Twitter: @COCountryLife Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly for $9/$15 per year by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.
[viewpoint]
CO-OP INNOVATION, INGENUITY CAUGHT ON TAPE New video showcases a variety of electric cooperative projects around the state BY KENT SINGER || CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR || KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG
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In last November’s column, I mentioned that one of the highlights of CREA’s 2014 Energy Innovations Summit was the premier of a video that we produced here at the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Titled “Colorado’s Electric Co-ops: Energy and Innovation,” the video features many of the exciting projects that our state’s co-ops developed over the last few years including our collective deployment of renewable power projects, energy efficiency programs and advanced metering technology. We showed the video for the first time to all of the Summit attendees and, to my surprise, the 250 or so attendees applauded loudly at the end; clearly, a lot of our members are proud of the efforts their co-ops are making to diversify their power supply mix with renewables, help their member-owners with energy efficiency and improve the reliability of their service with advanced metering. The video demonstrates that Colorado’s electric co-ops are at the forefront of new technology and that we are responsive to the wishes of our member-owners. We worked on the production of the video for about a year, and that included the work of a videographer who went out to co-op service territories and documented the great work achieved by CREA’s members. All of the electric co-ops in Colorado are involved with new technology to help serve their member-owners, and one of the challenges in producing the video was selecting only a few of those projects for the final product. The innovation displayed by our members in the video is truly amazing, and I am writing about it in hopes that you will give it a watch. You can find the video on YouTube at YouTube.com/ COCountryLife1. Scroll to the bottom and you’ll see we posted two versions: the original 8-minute version (bit.ly/1w494qm) and a shorter 4-minute version (bit.ly/1AlDstL) that focuses on co-op renewable energy projects. Both versions give you a sampling of the incredible work accomplished in Colorado co-op territories to meet the challenges of the evolving energy paradigm. I would like to thank a number of people for making the
“Energy and Innovation” video a reality. Mona Neeley, publisher/editor of Colorado Country Life, was instrumental in developing the creative concept, assimilating several of the still photos used in the video, and helping edit the narrative language. Stefan Brodsky, our videographer, spent several days on the road meeting with Colorado co-op em- Kent Singer ployees and shooting footage of their projects and service territories. Jim Van Someren, our creative consultant, provided a huge assist in refining our message and keeping the project moving forward. Most importantly, I want to thank all of the folks at Colorado’s electric co-ops who helped us with the video, including those who ended up on camera: Steve Casey at Holy Cross Energy, Steve Metheny and Jim Hennegan at Delta-Montrose Electric Association, Jeff Wadsworth at Poudre Valley REA, Bill Annan at Morgan County REA, Susan Hunter at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and Jerry Marizza and Ron Asche at United Power. If you ever worked on a project like this, you know the logistics are complicated and require the cooperation of a lot of people. This video, “Colorado’s Electric Co-ops: Energy and Innovation,” demonstrates that Colorado’s electric co-ops are fulfilling our long-standing mission to provide safe, affordable and reliable electric service, and we are also integrating renewable resources and new technology to better serve our memberowners. The projects shown in this video are just a sample, and I have no doubt that somewhere down the road you will be able to watch “Energy and Innovation: The Sequel.”
Kent Singer, Executive Director
Scan to watch the Colorado electric co-ops video or visit bit.ly/1w494qm. 4
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coloradocountrylife.coop
[ letters] Celebrating Hunting I just read Dennis Smith’s article on hunting as a valid sport. (Outdoors, October ’14) I agree with his take on it 100 percent. I have been hunting since I can remember. Hunting is one of those things that you either understand or you don’t. I think that it is sad that more people do not expose their minds to the possibilities that are out there. Norm Benson, Fraser
No Laughing Matter Must we stoop so low as to applaud inappropriate “jokes”? (October ’14) A few years back, Art Linkletter had a television show called “Kids Say the Darndest Things” and he had the good sense to skip the inappropriate things. When I was a young lady, the saying “got knocked up” was a degrading saying and, as far as I know, it still is. There is nothing funny or nice about it. Shirley A. Mikita, Colorado Springs
The article on monsters (October ’14) was gruesome. Please ask Dennis Smith to stick with stories about hunting and animals — anything except monsters. Lila Taylor, Stratton
Value of Renewable Energy In all the years I have been reading Colorado Country Life, I cannot recall an editorial position suggesting we work toward renewable energy sources and that, while it might cost more now, it is worth the cost. I hear only about how much it would cost, regulations, inconvenience to customers, etc. Just because renewable energy may cost a bit more now, doesn’t mean that we aren’t getting value for that extra cost. A cleaner environment, a hedge against climate change and jobs right here in the USA that can’t be outsourced are all benefits we gain from renewable energy. Phillip Palise, Peyton & Long Beach, CA
GOT A COMMENT? Send your letter to the editor by mail to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org.
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JANUARY 2015
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[calendar]
January
January 8-11 Ouray Ice Festival Ouray Ice Park ourayicepark.com
January 8-10 Vail Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival Various Vail Locations bigbeersfestival.com January 9-11 Denver Boat Show Colorado Convention Center denverboatshow.com January 10 Lafayette Quaker Oatmeal Festival and 5K Various Lafayette Locations 7:30 am-12 pm • 303-666-9555 January 10-11 Loveland “HOPSCOTCH! The Musical” Rialto Theater Center rialtoloveland.ticketforce.com January 11-17 Breckenridge Ullr Fest Various Breckenridge Locations gobreck.com January 14-18 Crested Butte Mountain High Music Fest Various Crested Butte Locations mountainhighmusicfest.com January 16-17 Denver “Going Baroque” Symphony Boettcher Concert Hall 7:30 pm • coloradosymphony. org January 16-19 Estes Park Winter Festival Various Estes Park Locations visitestespark.com January 17-19 Copper Safety Fest Center Village at Copper 9 am-4 pm • coppercolorado. com 6
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January 17-18 Rifle Ice Fishing Tournament Rifle Gap Reservoir rifleareachamber.chamber master.com/events January 18 Colorado Springs Veronika String Quartet Fine Arts Center 2 pm • 719-634-5583 January 19 Littleton Mini Camp Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield 9 am-4 pm • botanicgardens. org January 20 Pueblo “I’ve Got a Little Twist” Musical Center Stage 7:30 pm • 719-295-7200 January 21 Pagosa Springs Local Appreciation Day Wolf Creek Ski Area 970-264-5639 • wolfcreekski. com January 22-25 Beaver Creek FOOD & WINE Weekend Various Beaver Creek Locations beavercreek.com
Featured Event
National Western Stock Show January 10-25 at the Denver Coliseum and other various Denver-area locations. The National Western Stock Show is a nationally acclaimed event that features amazing Western, family-friendly entertainment of all sorts including Westernaires horse shows, stock dog trials, mutton bustin’, rodeos and a bunch more. To find out more, call 303-2966977 or visit nationalwestern.com.
January 28-February 1 Durango Steampunk Snowdown Various Durango Locations durango.com January 30 Alamosa Ice Festival Downtown Alamosa 719-589-2105 January 31 Steamboat Springs “Writing a Book That Sells” Seminar Colorado Mountain College 10 am-3 pm • 970-870-4444
February
January 22-25 Golden Colorado Cowboy Gathering Miners Alley Playhouse/ American Mountaineering Center coloradocowboygathering.com
February 4-5 Fort Collins “The Elixir of Love” Opera Lincoln Center 7:30 pm • 970-221-6730
January 23-25 Granby Ice Fishing Contest Various Granby Lakes granbychamber.com
February 4-8 Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival Various Steamboat Springs Locations steamboat-chamber.com
January 24 Fort Collins Winter Farmers Market Opera Galleria 10 am-2 pm • nocofoodcluster. com
February 6 Cañon City First Friday Art Walk Downtown Cañon City 5 pm • canoncity.com
January 24 Monument Ice Fishing Tournament Monument Lake 9 am-1 pm • warriors icefishing.com
February 6-7 Lake City Frozen River Film Festival Mary Stigall Theatre www.lfvc.org
February 6-7 Littleton Colorado Dulcimer Festival Saint James Presbyterian Church coloradodulcimerfestival.com February 6-8 Pueblo Eagle Day Festival Lake Pueblo State Park Headquarters 719-561-5300 • eagleday.org February 7 Ignacio LifeGuard Banquet Sky Ute Convention Center 6 pm • 970-385-8451 February 9 Grand Junction Taste of the Grand Valley Two Rivers Convention Center 4-7:30 pm • 970-243-5364
SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO:
CALENDAR Colorado Country Life 5400 N. Washington St. Denver, CO 80216 Fax to 303.455.2807 or email calendar@coloradocountrylife.org. Items will be printed on a space available basis. For more information on these and other events, visit coloradocountrylife.coop.
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YAMPA VALLEY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
[YVEA News] NEW YEAR — NEW BUILDING
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BY DIANE JOHNSON || PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER || DJOHNSON@YVEA.COM
After 75 years in downtown Steamboat Springs and 59 years at Yampa Valley Electric Association’s location on 10th Street, we have moved to our new headquarters at 2211 Elk River Road in Steamboat. “The Board of Directors of Yampa Valley Electric Association has been diligently looking Diane Johnson for a location to move our Steamboat Springs office for about 10 years. Nothing that was available really fit our needs and building from scratch was proving to be too costly. When the TIC campus came on the market, we found our fit. We are delighted with the purchase and we are looking forward to having all of our Steamboat Springs employees in one location and under one roof,” YVEA Chairman of the Board Dean Brosious said. Bill Rangitsch of Steamboat Architectural Associates says, “The building is move-in ready for short term needs with a minor interior remodel for Phase 1. The property is zoned for industrial which means YVEA does not have to go through the full planning process for the entire campus, just for any new office or warehouse space. Utility service connections are sized for YVEA’s current and long-term needs, tap fees have been paid. Site work is done, parking lots, driveways and yard space are ready to use. That saves literally millions of dollars in development costs. Structurally the buildings are in very good shape and because of their steel frame construction, it will be very easy to remove most of the interior walls and design a layout that works for YVEA. All of these conditions will save time, and construction time is money. There is over 74,000 square-feet of enclosed space. The existing warehouse can be used as is with minor updates. Of that 74,000 square-feet, 47,000 is office space that can be totally remodeled for around $110/square feet rather than building new office space for $225/square feet. YVEA’s current and future space needs do not require the use of all 47,000 square feet, and remaining space can be sublet, set aside for alternative uses, or subdivided and sold off. There are a number of options to generate income. All of these conditions will save time, and construction time is money.”
coloradocountrylife.coop
NEW YEAR … 10TH STREET LOCATION We plan to close on the 10th Street property in early 2015 which supports the goals for Yampa Street with better pedestrian and bike access and a unique mixed use for the building. The funds from sale of the 10th Street property will pay off long standing capital loans, allowing for a new loan on the Elk River Road property to be a reasonable expense. The new location will allow easy access from Highway 40 for members outside of Steamboat Springs. We are proud to be part of the legacy of the property and keep it vibrant for many years to come.
NEW YEAR … NEW SENSE OF PRIORITIES With a new year comes a renewed focus on reliability, safety and customer satisfaction: ✮ Renewed focus on reliability and response times, with a three-year construction and maintenance work plan focused on problem areas in the service territory. ✮ Renewed focus on safety for our employees and members, in our homes, businesses and job sites. ✮ Renewed commitment to friendly and efficient service in person, on the phone and at our job sites. Our new sense of priorities models our new tag line of PEOPLE — PRIDE — POWER and we stand behind those words and look forward to 2015.
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[YVEA News] YVEA Caring Consumers Program Gives Out $12K In Grants
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YVEA introduced the Caring Consumers program in 1999. Caring Consumers enables you, as a cooperative member, to donate to community causes by automatically rounding up your electric bill to the next highest dollar. For the grant period that ended in October, the Caring Consumers fund received $13,000 from members rounding up their bills. They received 38 applications totaling $64,000. The Board was able to give to 14 of the organizations totaling $12,700. The foundations that received funds were as follows: • Boys & Girls Club of Colorado — Children’s Programs • Emerald Mountain School — Tower Gardens Project • Freedom Hooves — Therapeutic Riding, Equine Assisted Therapy • Friends of the Chief — Friends & Family Classical • Hayden Valley Elementary Library — New Books • Healthcare Foundation for Yampa Valley — Pediatric Therapy Services • The Journey Ahead — 8th grade boys positive choices event • Love In The Name of Christ — Emergency and transitional housing program • The Memorial Hospital Foundation — Pediatric health and wellbeing services • Rocky Mountain Youth Corps — Science School • Senior Social Center of Craig — Grass roots senior center • Totally Kids, Inc. — Services for Children • Town of Baggs — Food Closet • Yampatika — Environmental Learning Center Caring Consumers has a separate board of directors from that of Yampa Valley Electric Association. The current Caring Consumers Board includes Tom Fox from Steamboat Springs, Betse Grassby of Steamboat Springs, Winnie DelliQuadri from Steamboat Springs, Kathy Powell from Craig, Rebecca Wattles from Hayden and YVEA President and General Manager Diane Johnson. This board of directors is respon-
sible for allocating the funds raised through our member participation. Funding from Caring Consumers is available to anyone (both individuals and/or organizations) within YVEA's service territory. Non-profit agencies or organizations must present Form 501-C3 to show their tax exempt status. If you wish to participate in the Caring Consumers program by rounding up your electric bill, contact your local YVEA office. The average cost per member is $6 per year. If you have any questions or want more information about the Caring Consumers program, visit our website at www.yvea.com/newmemberinformation/caringconsumers program, or call us at 970-879-1160 Caring Consumers is an example of just how far a little generosity and cooperation can go toward improving a person’s life. Since conception, Caring Consumers has donated over $256,700 to worthy organizations and individuals.
YVEA NEWS on time and place will be announced in the the newspaper and on the radio.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Troeger
Community Solar Array Update The Community Solar Array project was completed in December of 2014 by the Clean Energy Collective. There will be a grand opening celebration on January 28 in Craig and January 29 in Steamboat. Details
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NEW — Referral Reward program from Clean Energy Collective If purchased panels at our Community Solar Array and refer a *qualified referral, CEC will send you a check for $20 and will add on another $25 for every panel they purchase. For more information to go http://www.yveasolar.com/referral.aspx or call 844-CEC-SALE. *Qualified referral — In order to become a qualified referral, the person who was
referred must receive a proposal from Clean Energy Collective and have a solar consultation with one of our solar specialists. The person/business must live within a Clean Energy Collective service area and be a customer or member of our partner utilities.
coloradocountrylife.coop
[YVEA News]
YVEA NEWS
MEET THE TEAM Ed Pierce
YVEA Moves to New Location We moved to 2211 Elk River Road, Steamboat Springs. Please use the north gate entrance on Elk River Road for our member relations department for new service, payments or account inquiries. Please look for entrance signs and feel free to call 970-879-1160 if you have any questions.
New Energy Program Yampa Valley Electric is excited to announce the ¢en$ible Energy Program. YVEA is proud to partner with the Community Energy Efficiency program to bring energy-efficient rebates and programs to the YVEA territory. Look for more information soon.
DOWNED POWER LINES Apart from the cold, there are other dangers winter storms can bring. Downed power lines could be submerged in snow and ice, making them difficult to see. During a winter storm, stay indoors if possible. If you must go outside, use caution and treat all downed and hanging lines as if they are energized. Stay away, warn others to stay away and immediately contact Yampa Valley Electric Association. coloradocountrylife.coop
Ed Pierce is the materials and facilities supervisor. Originally from Mississippi, he moved to Steamboat in 1978. Ed’s college experience gave him majors in mechanical engineering and occupational leadership. He has been with YVEA for 23 years. In his role as materials and facilities supervisor he oversees YVEA’s purchasing needs and requirements. Ed plans, coordinates and supervises our warehousing functions as well as procures and monitors the association’s service and construction contracts. Ed provides assistance to the safety director in record keeping and regulatory areas. He is proud to work for YVEA because he can interact with both of YVEA’s districts and all departments as well as many local vendors. He is married and has three children, all graduates of Steamboat Springs High School. In his spare time he enjoys flying and has his
Rex Sta f ford
Rex Stafford is a journeyman lineman and originally comes from Owenton, Kentucky. Rex moved to Steamboat in 2008 and began working for YVEA. He is part of the team that is responsible for installation, maintenance and repairs of the YVEA transmission and distribution electrical system. He feels proud to be a part of a co-op family and enjoys being in the outdoors.
Tina Bird
Tina Bird comes to YVEA originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and has lived in Steamboat since 1991. She has a bachelor of science degree in nutrition and health science. She once owned a coffee shop in Oak Creek before coming to YVEA 10 years ago. Tina is our supervisor of members relations and oversees all aspects of our billing department including billing, payments, meter-related issues and new service accounts. She is proud to work for YVEA because of its commitment to the community to provide reliable, affordable services in a safe and professional manner. In her time away from work she enjoys her five sisters and 13 nieces and nephews as well as hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.
JANUARY 2015
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[YVEA News]
Weathering a Winter Power Outage
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In December 2013, a severe ice storm struck the northern United States and southeastern Canada. CNN reported tens of thousands of customers without power in the below freezing temperatures, and many were without power for at least four days. Two dozen people died from causes related to that ice storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency claims that winter storms are deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to storms. To be truly prepared for a winter power outage, you need more than supplies. You need to know what to do when a snowstorm strikes. When the lights go out, you should first contact Yampa Valley Electric Association to inform us of the outage. Once we know, we will immediately begin the assessment and restoration process. How long it takes to get your power restored depends on the extent of the storm’s destruction, the number of outages and when it is safe for utility personnel to get to the affected areas. Until the power comes back on, do all you can to keep your family comfortable. After contacting YVEA, get out your storm preparedness kit. This kit needs to be assembled ahead of time and should
include such items as bottled water, nonperishable food, blankets, warm clothing, first aid kit and medicines, flashlight, radio, extra batteries and toiletries. Monitor the temperature in your home. Infants and elderly people are more susceptible to the cold. You may want to stay with friends or relatives or go to a shelter if you cannot keep your home warm. Dress warmly and cover up in layers of blankets. Remember to close off unneeded rooms, place draft blocks at the bottom of doors and cover the windows at night to minimize cold air entering the house.
Also, avoid going outside. Opening doors will let cold air in and going outside will make you more vulnerable to the cold. If you are using an alternative heating source during a power outage, be sure to know how to use it safely. Always keep a multipurpose, dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it. Take steps to protect your circuits and appliances before power is restored by switching off lights and unplugging everything. Leave one light switched on as a quick reminder that the power is restored.
For more information on weathering a winter storm, visit SafeElectricity.org.
Teaching Kids About Electrical Safety
One of parents’ highest priorities is to protect their children. One way to do this is teaching them about safety around electricity. Safe Electricity recommends teaching kids about electrical safety at an early age. Important lessons include: Water and electricity do not mix. Children should never play with or use electronics around water. Make sure ground fault circuit interrupters are installed anywhere electricity and water could meet to help prevent shocks. Ground fault circuit interrupters detect and prevent dangerous situations where an electric shock could occur. The only objects that go into outlets are electric plugs. Sticking other items in an electric socket can lead to an electric shock or death. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that a yearly average of 2,400 children suffer severe shock from electrical outlets and that six to 12 of these shocks are fatal. As a parent, you can help prevent this by having tamper resistant outlets installed. Tamper resistant electrical receptacles have a 10
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shutter system that only accepts electric plugs. Another option is to use simple outlet plugs. However, these can be easily removed. Similarly, never stick fingers or objects into toasters or any other electrical appliance. Electric cords should be left alone. A curious child may put a cord into his or her mouth and could potentially suffer an electric burn. Additionally, kids should be taught to never pull a plug out of the socket by the cord. This could damage the cord. It is a good idea to leave cords out of sight so children are not tempted to play with them. Electronics and their accessories must be handled with care. Encourage younger children to ask for help when they want to use an electronic device. Know how to call for help in an emergency. It’s a good idea to include utility emergency numbers with other posted emergency phone numbers and instruct children how to call for help in an emergency. coloradocountrylife.coop
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NOVEMBER 2014
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[newsclips]
We Have a New App for That!
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Have you viewed the video of beautiful outdoor images with this month’s feature story on Rocky Mountain National Park’s 100th anniversary? Did you check out the advertisers’ websites by scanning their ads with your smartphone or tablet? You can do all that and more with Colorado Country Life’s new, improved app. For the past several months, Colorado Country Life offered these additional features through an app called Layar. With this January issue, our augmented features switched to a new and improved app. To access the new app, search for “Colorado Country Life Extras” in the Apple Store or Google Play and download it on your smartphone or tablet. Then keep that device handy as you read the magazine. When you see the little, black, phone-shaped icon in the magazine, you’ll find something additional when you scan that page. It may be a video or a link to a web-
site. It may be more photos or an extra recipe. For more information on exactly how the new app works, turn to page 2. We’re also offering a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 through this month’s extras. You must scan the pages to find the entry form. Using that form you can enter the drawing. The contest will be repeated in the February and March issues with the tablet giveaway on March 16 drawing. No mobile device? Then check the printed magazine for a second contest especially designed for those who are not currently connected to the Internet via mobile device. This contest will be for an iPad Mini. You may only enter this contest through the U.S. mail. You may to enter in January, February and March, with that drawing taking place March 16. So read the magazine, keep your mobile device handy and enjoy Colorado Country Life with a few “extras.”
Coal Consumption Expected to Drop
Gigi Dennis
Megan Gilman
Co-op Women Honored for Their Leadership
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Two leaders in Colorado’s electric co-op community were recently honored as “Top Women in Energy” by the Denver Business Journal and Women in Energy, Inc. Gigi Dennis, senior manager of external affairs at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., and Megan Gilman, Holy Cross Energy board member, were included in the 2014 inaugural class of “Top Women in Energy.” Dennis, a former state senator who served as Colorado Secretary of State from 2005 to 2007, has worked in the electric co-op community since 2007. She is also a board member of Food Bank of the Rockies, the Foundation for Community Colleges and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry. Gilman, who represents Holy Cross Energy on the Colorado Rural Electric Association Board of Directors, is president of Active Energies of Minturn. She also served on Colorado’s Energy Key Industry Network steering committee and currently sits on the board for Walking Mountains Science School. The electric co-ops are proud to see members of the co-op community recognized for their expertise.
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Coal is still king when it comes to energy generation, providing about 39 percent of the total electricity generated in the United States and more than 60 percent of the electricity generated in Colorado. But the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that those percentages will begin to slide in the coming year. EIA expects to find that coal usage increased 1.2 percent in 2014, but is predicting a drop of 0.4 percent in demand in 2015. More than 12,800 megawatts of capacity are expected to be shut down in 2015.
Did You Know?
Co-ops Serve Those Living in Poverty
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Electric cooperatives serve in 327 of the nation’s 353 “persistent poverty counties.” Of the 42 million Americans served by cooperatives, an estimated 4 million live in counties where poverty is persistent. That means these co-op members live in counties where more than 20 percent of the population have lived at the poverty rate for the last 30 years. In Colorado, that includes Alamosa (24.4 percent); Costilla (27.4 percent); and Saguache (32.5 percent). Visit bit.ly/1nXnxh0 and see where these poverty counties are in the United States and where they intersect with electric co-op service territories.
coloradocountrylife.coop
[newsclips]
coloradocountrylife.coop
DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE INCREASING THE USE OF NUCLEAR POWER TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY IN THE U.S.?
74% 66% 59%
56% 47%
47%
42%
27%
30%
SUPPORT
29%
OPPOSE
36%
REGISTERED VOTERS
MALE
FEMALE
REGISTERED VOTERS
MALE
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
21% OPPOSE
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Did you know that this magazine is provided to you by your local electric cooperative? You get a copy of Colorado Country Life each month because it is the most convenient and economical way for your co-op to share information with its members. Cooperatives are founded on seven co-op principles with the fifth principle being “education, training and information.” To live up to this principle, Colorado’s electric co-ops use Colorado Country Life to educate and inform their members. Each month, the co-ops publish information about co-op services, director elections, member meetings, rate changes, energysaving options and more. Sending all of that information in individual mailings would increase costs and add to your electric bill. Many co-op members have a tendency to simply toss flyers and newsletters that only contain electric news. By weaving the electric information you need to know throughout an interesting magazine that covers a wide variety of interests, readership increases. And you learn more about your electric co-op. By working with other Colorado electric coops to publish part of the magazine, your local co-op can send all of this information to you for only a little more than 37 cents a month. The magazine has proven to be an efficient, costeffective way for your electric co-op to stay in touch with you and its other members. You will also find information on Colorado’s electric co-ops at crea.coop and colorado countrylife.coop. Or follow the Colorado Touchstone Energy Co-ops on Facebook at Facebook.com/Colorado REA or Face book.com/COCountryLife or on Twitter at Twitter. com/ColoradoREA or Twitter.com/CO CountryLife.
DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE USING NUCLEAR POWER TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY IN THE U.S.?
SUPPORT
Why Does This Magazine Arrive From the Co-op?
FEMALE
SURVEY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR NUCLEAR
Does nuclear power play a role in the move to more environmentally friendly energy resources? Maybe, maybe not. Many green groups continue to call for a full shutdown of those power plants. At the same time five new nuclear power plants are scheduled to come online within a few years. A December poll by Morning Consult, a digital media company covering energy and Washington, shows cautious support for expanding nuclear power. As the graph above shows, a majority of Americans support nuclear power. That support drops when the question is about expanding nuclear power, although supporters remain in the majority.
Growing Your Own Heat
I
Imagine a building sided with hollow panels filled with water and algae that use photosynthesis to absorb carbon dioxide and generate heat that is fed into the building, heating the facility with a truly renewable resource. A company called Arup Deutschland recently won the applied innovations category of the Zumtobel Group Award with that kind of a system. Arup introduced its “Solarleaf” facade on a building in Hamburg, Germany. The micro algae are cultivated in flat panel “photo bioreactors” (right) on the side of the building, which generate the solar thermal heat. The algae is then harvested as biomass for energetic use or as a resource for food and pharmaceuticals. The bioreactors capture solar thermal heat with an efficiency of approximately 50 percent. Learn more about this project and see photos at www.arup.com/Projects/SolarLeaf/Details.aspx.
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[industry]
Do You Need to Build a Tiny House to Save Energy? More than size has an effect on energy usage BY THOMAS KIRK
A tiny house “movement” gained attention nationally as a reaction to the increased size of larger homes. Popularized by the television documentary “Tiny” and other media coverage, tiny homes typically measure less than 1,000 square feet — a far cry from the typical American home. In 1973, the average U.S. home measured 1,660 square feet. Since then, U.S. homes grew by more than 60 percent to reach an average size of 2,598 square feet in 2013 (with a slight dip in 2008 through 2010). But do smaller homes actually use less energy? What are the factors that determine how much energy a house consumes? As the size of homes increase, so do their energy demands. Examining only a home’s size shows a strong positive correlation between the square footage of a home and its energy consumption. In extreme cases, homes that measure more than 6,400 square feet (the top 1 percent of homes) use two-and-a-half times as much electricity as a 1,600-square-foot home. There’s additional space to be heated or cooled, more lighting is required and it’s likely that the number of appliances will increase. But, today’s home is also more energy efficient. Other factors, such as the age of the home, climate, income and behavior, influence energy consumption as well. U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows that homes built after the year 2000 use only 2 percent more energy than homes built before 2000, even though the newer homes are 30 percent larger on average and contain more electronic appliances. There are several reasons for this equilibrium in energy use
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Photo Credit: Boneyard Studios
despite the greater building size. First, homes are becoming more energy efficient. They are lit with compact fluorescent bulbs and LEDs instead of incandescents and use more efficient appliances. For example, an older refrigerator can use twice the amount of energy as a newer model of similar capacity. Second, homes today are built with more energy-efficient features. This includes better building shells, modern windows and more insulation. Larger homes in particular are more likely to include these types of energy-saving features. These changes are due to technological advances as well as policy changes that tightened building codes and raised the minimum energy efficiency standards for appliances. Programs such as Energy Star are educating consumers about the efficiency and cost savings of their products. Finally, more Americans are moving south to more moderate climates. This means less energy is used on space heating, and although the southern migration resulted in a 56 percent
increase in energy used for air-conditioning, it’s not enough to offset the space heating reduction. What this ultimately means is that the amount of energy a home uses is not predetermined by its size. While moving into a tiny home may not be practical or possible — they are often not allowed under current zoning regulations and only make up around 1 percent of homes — realize both large and small homes have the potential to be efficient. Rather than moving into a tiny home to save energy, consider looking into energy-efficient retrofits. For more ways to save, visit together wesave.com. Thomas Kirk is a technical research analyst specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy for the Cooperative Research Network.
WiseSavers Check the condition of your cookware. According to U.S. Department of Energy, if a pan is warped it could use 50 percent more energy to boil water than a pan with a completely flat bottom. The flatter bottomed the cookware, the more contact with the heating element. Also, remember to use lids when bringing the contents of your pan to a boil. It will heat faster.
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100
Years of
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wonder on Rocky’s West Side BY M A RY P E C K
S
Smoke from smoldering sage wafted through the still evening air as the setting sun cast a glow on Grand Lake. It was September 2014, and a group of visitors and locals was gathered in a circle on the lake’s north shore as part of a special blessing of the sacred lake performed by Calvin StandingBear, a Lakota tribal elder. The blessing ceremony was among the first of many unique events planned for the coming year on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park in celebration of the park’s 100th birthday. The character of Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side is something that the majority of park visitors never experience. Of the estimated 3.5 million people who travel to the park each year, about 300,000 see the west side. The east entrance through Estes Park is an easy 90-minute drive from Denver International Airport, and although the west side entrance through Grand Lake is only an hour farther, it does require a higher altitude trek over the Continental Divide by way of Berthoud Pass or Trail Ridge Road. The park’s centennial, which kicked off September 3 and 4, 2014, and will culminate with rededication ceremonies on the same days in 2015, is an excellent opportunity to discover some of the lesser known treasures and history of a world famous national park, fondly nicknamed “Rocky,” in our own great state. One of those treasures is Rocky’s west side.
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Author Mary Taylor Young taught nature writing courses in the park for 25 years and was selected to write Rocky Mountain National Park: The First 100 Years (Far Country Press, available at Amazon.com). Taylor Young spent her childhood summers at her grandparents’ cabin near the upper west boundary of the park. “In general, the west side is much less visited and the trails are not that heavily hiked,” she noted. “And I would bet a lot of people don’t know there’s a mining ghost town there called Lulu City. There’s almost nothing left there any more.” A 3.7-mile hike starting at the Colorado River Trailhead will take you to the site of the once booming mining town. Many of the west side’s hiking trails begin within the Kawuneeche Valley, a lush 20-mile-long valley carved by the Colorado River at the base of the Never Summer Mountain Range. Its Arapaho name means “Valley of the Coyote,” and, along with the occasional coyote, moose, deer, elk and quantities of other wildlife are likely seen by visitors throughout the valley. Because it straddles the Continental Divide, the climate on the park’s west side is noticeably different than the more arid east side. Parts of the Kawuneeche Valley can get up to 20 feet of snow in the winter. “There’s a distinct difference in the weather,” said Rebecca Roland, a Rocky Mountain National Park ranger based on the
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residents in winter and about 3,000 in summer.
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Granby and the Alva B. Adams Tunnel. The Adams Tunnel runs 13 miles under the park, connecting the west and east sides. Snowmelt enters the tunnel from Grand Lake and, after traveling for about two hours, exits the east portal just outside of Estes Park. As it descends, the water powers several hydroelectric plants before it reaches Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake and Boulder Reservoir. The immense snowfall makes for a beautiful and fruitful, albeit short, growing season. Homesteaders on the west side largely found ranching difficult if not impossible. Transitioning ranching properties to dude ranches was not uncommon in the early turn of the century. Holzwarth Historic Site was one of the first dude ranches in the area and was acquired by Rocky Mountain National Park in 1974. It was restored to its 1920s appearance and is home to a number of west side events. Visitors can see cabins filled with furnishings and artifacts from the era. While there are still private residences within the park, many of them, as well as private land, were acquired for the park in the past 100 years. Trail River Ranch, just 4 miles inside the park’s west entrance, is one of the few remaining ranches in the park. “It was homesteaded in 1914 and started as a cattle ranch, like many did,” said Dave Lively, local historian and centennial speaker series volunteer. “But it eventually became a resort property for the family.” The volunteer group Friends of Trail River Ranch* is now working to preserve and restore the property for use as a public learning and activity center that will provide in-depth educational experiences on the park’s west side. Buildings that serve a variety of Photograph by Mary Peck
west side. “A lot of the precip drops on this side. It’s a lot wetter climate.” All that moisture makes the park’s fertile west side a haven for moose, which became somewhat of a signature for the town of Grand Lake. “They were introduced to North Park in 1978, and two dozen animals have become almost 2,600 in the state,” Roland said. With an estimated 90 percent of the west side’s adult lodgepole pines lost to the mountain pine beetle, more sunlight is now hitting the aspen and the forest floor. That creates more ground cover for food, and Roland expects moose, elk, mountain lions, bobcats and coyotes to continue to thrive. Water, in all its forms, is a frequent and fascinating subject across the area. Roland believes it’s the most important part of Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side. “We preserve the headwaters of a major U.S. water source,” said Roland. “It’s unique that we have the Colorado River headwaters, and the Colorado gives water to 36 million people. It goes through seven states and two Mexican states, four national parks and five national monuments.” Front Range dwellers may not wholly realize that the majority of their water comes to them from the west side of the Continental Divide. “Sixty percent of Denver’s water comes from here,” said Roland. The idea of bringing Colorado River water to the thirsty, populous eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains began in the 1880s. Today there are a total of 19 waterdiversion projects on the west side, all created to harness this valuable The town of Grand Lake is considered the gateway to resource and push it east. They the western entrance of include the hand-dug, 14-mile-long Rocky Mountain National Grand Ditch as well as Grand Lake, Park. It is home to Shadow Mountain Reservoir, Lake approximately 400-500
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Trail River Ranch sits at the confluence of the Bowen and Baker streams and the Colorado River. Preservation efforts are being made so that the property can serve as an educational and activity center on the park¹s west side.
Photograph by Mary Peck
town Granby on July 4. “It’s really about the people who come here and the communities around the park,” said Roland. “It’s much more of their celebration than it is just ours, so we decided that would be a good way to celebrate, to let the communities hold events.” The theme of the yearlong celebration of centennial events is “Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder: Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Inspire the Future.” With its rich, distinct history, honoring Rocky’s past means honoring the past of a place unlike any on earth. “If you think about writing the history of any park with the words Rocky Mountain in its name, you’re just going to have to start with the beginning of the mountains, so essentially the dawn of time,” said Taylor Young. “There are rocks in the park visible from Trail Ridge Road that are a billion years old.” Ten thousand years ago humans lived intermittently in the mountains in areas that now fall within the park’s boundary. The Ute people lived there 6,000 years ago, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho occasionally made excursions to the mountains but mostly lived on the plains. Fur trappers and traders arrived in the early 1800s. A half century later, the gold rush was in full force and tourism increased as word spread about the beauty of Estes Park and Grand Lake. “It’s interesting how people managed to get here,” said Kathy Means, park volunteer and vice president of the Grand Lake Area Historical Society. “And then when they came, they stayed, because it was hot in the city. The lake was the attraction here.” Rocky Mountain National Park was dedicated on September 4, 1915, thanks to the efforts of naturalist Enos Mills, businessman
purposes are scattered across Rocky’s west side, and all receive electric power from Mountain Parks Electric Association, Inc., headquartered in Granby. Operations Superintendent Bruce Van Bockern said that power lines run about 10 miles into the park and were originally constructed in the 1950s. But with frequent outages due to trees falling on the lines, the decision was made to bury the nearly 48,000 feet of line. The project was completed in 2008. “It’s unique in itself that we’re able to work with the park service,” said Van Bockern. “They know, as we know, how important it is to maintain the lines.” While the inefficiency of tending to power outages roughly twice a week on the west side is now gone, Van Bockern said the Mountain Parks linemen would make haste getting out of the office to check out issues and take in the stunning beauty of the park while they worked. “It’s a blessing to be up here,” he said. “Every day seems like a vacation.” Mountain Parks Electric is a key player in the area’s west side centennial celebrations throughout the year, and a main sponsor of the park’s 100th anniversary signature parade event in down-
The theme of the yearlong celebration of centennial events is “Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder: Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Inspire the Future.”
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Photograph by Bob Ferguson
The Little Buckaroo barn is one of the most widely photographed barns in Colorado. Built in 1942 by ranchers from Louisiana, the barn is on the National Register of Historic Places as an excellent example of Cajun Mountain style architecture.
F.O. Stanley, Rocky Mountain News editor William Byers, Colorado Mountain Club president James Grafton Rogers and other advocates. Members of the Colorado Mountain Club played important and interesting roles in driving the legislation that created the park. In 1914, at the suggestion of the U.S. Geological Survey to have the peaks within the proposed park named, two young women within the club ventured to Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation and arranged for Arapaho elders and an interpreter to travel into Estes Valley on an expedition to name many of the peaks and other geographic locations. During the two-week excursion, the Arapaho men named 24 peaks and the Kawuneeche Valley. The Colorado Mountain Club is celebrating the centennial by leading climbs of 100 peaks in five different regions of the park, which will total 100 miles. If that sounds overly ambitious, Trail Ridge Road, the ”highway to the sky,” is an unforgettable option for viewing the highest elevations of the park, ascending to just over 12,000 feet. Drivers can tour Rocky for 48 miles between Grand Lake and Estes Park along the highest continuous paved road in the country. Mother Nature decides its travel season, but it’s generally open from late May through October. However you see it, whenever you see it, one thing is certain: You will be changed by the spectacular year-round wonder of the west side. “It’s a year of celebration,” said Roland. “It’s a big deal.” Whether it’s to be part of a profound lake blessing, join ranger-led snowshoe walks and ski tours, visit a museum, ice fish, attend a historic re-enactment or to enjoy a wealth of other memorable experiences, plan a visit to wish Rocky a happy birthday this year. You’re the one who will go home with a gift. Mary Peck is a freelance writer who enjoys the wealth of experiences and learning opportunities that every story offers. She lives with her family in Northern Colorado.
* Friends of Trail River Ranch is a committee of Rocky Mountain Conservancy, a nonprofit organization supporting Rocky Mountain National Park. Scan this page or visit YouTube.com/COCountryLife1 for a breathtaking visit to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Visit coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Contests for information on how to win Mary Taylor Young’s book on Rocky Mountain National Park or RMNP T-shirts and sweatshirts.
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How Well Do Know Rocky Mountain National Park? Scan this page for a video taken inside the park. Enter our drawing for a $25 gift card by telling us where it was taken. Or watch the video at YouTube.com/COCountryLife1 and enter.
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[recipes]
“EGGS-CEPTIONAL” RECIPES
Try these options, which are delicious any time of the day BY AMY HIGGINS || AHIGGINS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
Everything in Moderation If you’re watching your cholesterol, keep your egg intake at a minimum or opt for egg whites only. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol — about 185 milligrams per yolk, according to the Mayo Clinic — a leading cause of heart disease.
Eggs, Eggs Everywhere Did you know that there are more chickens in the world than humans? Also, chickens will lay approximately one egg per day. That’s a lot of eggs.
E
Eggs are loaded with vitamins and minerals your body craves. They are a great source of protein, which builds stronger muscles and keeps you feeling fuller longer. But most of all, eggs are scrumptious … any time of day. Although these recipes call for sausage, you can use any other breakfast meat or increase the veggie and cheese portions for a delicious vegetarian meal.
Cornbread With Spicy Sausage 1 12-ounce package spicy breakfast sausage 1 cup yellow cornmeal 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1/4 cup butter, melted 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Slice sausage with knife, and then peel and remove casings. In a skillet, cook and crumble sausage until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, combine eggs, milk and butter; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in sausage, red bell pepper and cheese. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Source: Johnsonville Foods
Olé Tortilla Cups 1 12-ounce package breakfast sausage 9 6-inch flour tortillas, at room temperature 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Mexican blend cheese 6 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Salsa, optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sausage according to package directions; cut into small pieces and set aside. Coat muffin pan and both sides of tortillas with cooking spray. Cut tortillas into quarters. Arrange three tortilla pieces in each muffin cup, overlapping to fit. Press tortillas gently and firmly into muffin pan. (Tortillas should stick up higher than muffin cup sides.) Arrange half of the cheese in tortilla-lined muffin cups. Top with sausage and remaining cheese. In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, milk, bell pepper, cilantro, salt and pepper. Carefully pour into cups. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until eggs are set. Serve with salsa, if desired. Source: Johnsonville Foods
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NOVEMBER 2014
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[gardening]
EXAM TIME
Test your Colorado gardening know-how BY KRISTEN HANNUM || GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
W
What’s a gardener to do during these short days of winter? This really isn’t much of a hardship as gardeners are typically imaginative people who love to plan and learn. Isn’t that the reason for the proliferation of books, catalogs and websites focused on gardening? All are wonderful companions for a frigid, snowy evening. To test your knowledge, here’s a brief quiz for Colorado gardeners. Good luck! 1. When green-thumbed gardeners from Oregon or Pennsylvania move to Colorado, they’re often shocked that the plants they stick in the ground here don’t take off they way they did back home. That’s because: a. Colorado’s average elevation is 6,800 feet above sea level. That means intense sunlight mixed with low humidity. b. A lot of Colorado’s dirt is made up of alkaline clay soils. It needs patient and persistent amending. c. Colorado’s winds and changeable weather are hard on plants, which must be protected and carefully chosen for their hardiness. d. All of the above. 2. It’s best to plant the same kind of vegetables in the same place every year. a. Yes. The nematodes in the soil become accustomed to various specific
plants growing there, meaning you have to start the soil-building process over again every time you switch. b. Yes. You know where the sun is best for tomatoes, sweet peas and other plants, and so it’s ideal to plant them in that best spot every year. c. No. Who wants to grow the same thing every year? d. No. Different plants deplete the soil of different nutrients, and so it’s best to rotate.
4. It’s a good idea to save seeds because: a. You are playing a part in preserving genetic variety and biodiversity. b. You are preserving varietal characteristics you want. c. You are creating varieties specifically adapted to your particular microclimate and soils. The seeds from the best plants of each generation will give you increasingly better plants. d. All of the above.
3. Who uses the most pesticides per acre of land? a. Farmers, who must use more pesticides than they’d like because their crops feed the world, and pests become resistant. b. Homeowners, who use pesticide on their lawns and gardens. c. Pot farmers, who use chemicals meant for lawns. d. Apartment dwellers, who want to use up the bottles of pesticide they buy and have only a couple of planters to put the stuff on.
5. The best Xeriscape means: a. A mix of plants that take little or no irrigation beyond the natural rainfall. b. Rocks. Lots of rocks. c. Letting nature reclaim your yard so there is zero landscaping. That’s what the word means. d. Wooden decks and some geraniums in terracotta planters. 6. Invasive species to avoid planting in Colorado include: a. Oregon grape. b. Rabbitbrush.
2. d. Rotating your crops will also reduce pest problems and diseases harbored in the soil while maintaining soil structure. Even if you have only one place in your garden that’s sunny enough for tomatoes, it’s best not to plant them there every year. 3. b. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, homeowners use up to 10 times more chemical pesticide per acre keeping up their lawns. That’s to the great detriment of pollinators, frogs and other beneficial species. However, if you answered c., give yourself a pat on the back. The studies aren’t in yet, but medical marijuana samples in California showed up to 1,600 times the legal amount of pesticide residue.
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7. Colorado gardeners can grow luscious, huge rhododendrons if they: a. Move, preferably to a coastal area with acidic soil. b. Only use well water on them. c. Grow them in the full sun. d. Grow them in containers with acidic soil.
HOW TO SCORE Give yourself 20 points for every right answer. • 120 to 140: You know your stuff! Time to start advising the neighbors. • 60 to 100: Spend a little more time at the Colorado State
ANSWERS 1. d. The Colorado State University Extension has a wealth of information for Colorado gardeners, both new and native, with suggestions to outwit Colorado conditions.
c. Oxeye daisies. d. All of the above.
University Extension website, 4. d. But remember that hybrids will not reproduce true to type.
at a class or with those gar-
5. a. Xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros, meaning dry. It means landscaping in a way that reduces the need to irrigate beyond the natural rainfall.
• 40 or below: Apartment liv-
6. c. Oxeye daisies readily naturalize in Colorado, crowding out native species. The Colorado State University Extension names them, along with yellow and Dalmatian toadflax, as the three most problematic, invasive herbaceous plants in the state. 7. a. Sorry, Colorado’s alkaline soil and water kills “rhodies,” as does the harsh sunshine and cold. You may find success with dwarf rhododendrons in big containers with acidic soil in dappled shade. Keep them carefully watered, not too much and not too little.
dening books. You’ll get there.
ing actually has a lot going for it. No lawns to mow, no pesky house maintenance and lots of neighbors close by. On the other hand, every gardener begins as a beginning gardener.
Read
previous gardening columns at coloradocountrylife. coop. Search for Gardening. Kristen Hannum is a native Colorado gardener. Email or write her with wisdom or comments at garden ing@coloradocountrylife.org. coloradocountrylife.coop
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[outdoors]
In With the Old, Out With the New Fly-fishing gear is coming full circle BY DENNIS SMITH
I WiseSaver
It’s a new year! And that means you most likely resolved to eat healthier and exercise more, right? This year, while you’re making resolutions, consider resolving to boost the energy efficiency of your home.
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I know I say this every January, but I can’t believe the year is over already and we’re celebrating the next one. But now that it’s here, I also can’t help but wonder what radical, new earth-shaking developments the tackle manufacturers will try to lay on us in the coming year. I’ve been fly-fishing long enough now to recognize that, rod, reel and line makers like to promote their latest and greatest inventions as “ingenious, revolutionary state-of-the-art products capable of delivering unheard of performance and outstanding value.” Most, in fact, are merely extraordinarily overpriced evolutionary enhancements to the same old equipment we used for a hundred years. I mean, regardless of whether they’re made from spiral wound fiberglass, vertically aligned carbon filaments boron with titaniumdampened strips of magnesium oxide, fly rods are still fishing poles, right? Long, skinny sticks with line guides and cork handles we use to catch fish. And all that scientific sounding mumbo jumbo about state-of-the-art performance usually has more to do with the manufacturer’s shop-floor technique and marketing strategy than it does with actual product performance. Even if it’s true some new-age fly rods are capable of slinging a line 100 feet or more, not one in 100 fly fishermen can cast that much line, no matter what kind of “thunder stick” they use. And fewer still are capable
of controlling even half that much line on a moving river (where, by the way, more than 90 percent of us conduct our fly-fishing efforts). And, if we’re perfectly honest with ourselves, most of us probably catch the majority of our fish within 10 to 20 feet of the river bank. Ironically it seems, the longer one fly fishes, the more likely one is to grow weary of acquiring the latest in razzledazzle, high-performance rods and peripheral equipment and to revert to familiar old gear. This may explain, in part, why we’re seeing a lot more bamboo rods on the streams again. And you may have noticed that fiberglass fly rods are making a comeback too. Manufacturers like Russ Peak and the Scott Rod Company are telling us their new fiberglass rods cast just like the best bamboo rods ever made and may be the ultimate in fly-casting instruments. So we’re back to bamboo again. Hmmm. The majority of guys that I fly fish with now all fish with bamboo, and it didn’t take much arm twisting to get me to join their ranks. Of course, most of us are old guys who started out with bamboo back in the day. So it might just be we were lured by the subtle tug of nostalgia and a suppressed desire to relive old memories. But it also seems weirdly prophetic that, after having tried all the “latest and greatest” stuff for decades, we mysteriously came back to our roots. Happy New Year.
Miss an issue? Catch up at coloradocountrylife.coop. Search for Outdoors.
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[energy tips]
FIRST IN FAUCETS
New technologies save energy BY JAMES DULLEY
M Colorado’s General Assembly Convenes January 7 Order copies of the printed directory for only $1 each at 303-455-4111 or at crea@coloradocountrylife.org or get the APP!
AFTER JANUARY 7, DOWNLOAD CREA’S 2015 LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORY APP FROM GOOGLE PLAY OR THE APP STORE FOR ONLY 99¢
COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION 5400 WASHINGTON ST. • DENVER, CO 80216 • CREA.COOP
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Photo courtesy of Moen
STAY IN TOUCH WITH LEGISLATORS
Most people think of a kitchen faucet as a simple valve to turn water on or off and to set the water temperature. But the proper selection of a kitchen faucet has a significant impact on water and energy savings, not to mention convenience, health and kitchen decor. The most recent, convenient and efficient kitchen faucet is controlled when it detects the user. Without the need to turn on or off the water via the handle, the water flow is controlled with the wave or touch of a hand. This provides significant water and energy savings, particularly when rinsing during food preparation and washing dishes by hand. For most people, using a standard faucet consumes more water and energy when washing dishes by hand than when running a properly loaded, efficient dishwasher. With these new faucet features, hand-washing dishes can be more efficient than the The wave of a hand over dishwasher. the proximity sensor turns water on and off. Another advantage of these innovative faucets is the handle is touched less often, so the attractive finish lasts longer. Also, with all the health concerns today about diseases from cross contamination of foods, touching the handle less is a real plus; few people wash the handle each time they touch it. There are two no-hands technologies. One type detects the slight electrical charge from your touch to open or close a special valve. This way, you can hold several plates in each hand while doing dishes and tap anywhere on the faucet fixture with your elbow or forearm to start the water flow and stop it when rinsing dishes. The other technology has a proximity sensor on the top and in the front of the faucet neck. Waving a hand over the top sensor triggers the solenoid. This requires one free hand. The sensor on the front of the neck senses hands when they are in a typical hand-washing position. Learn more about new faucet technologies at coloradocountrylife.coop. Look under the Energy tab for Energy Tips.
JANUARY 2015
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[marketplace]
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[marketplace]
Start the new year off right. Place an ad in MarketPlace and watch your business grow. Call Kris at 303-902-7276 for more information.
" T he trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it." — Patrick Young coloradocountrylife.coop
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[classifieds] TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/ month. Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay by credit card. Send your ad before the 10th of the month to: mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 phone: 303.902.7276 fax: 303.455.2807 email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org
ANTIQUE RESTORATION
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
ANTIQUE RESTORATION STUDIO – Antique conservation. Quality craftsmanship since 1974. Bayfield, CO, www.antiqueresdurango.com 970-884-1937. (988-04-15)
LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME opportunity. No sales, investment, risk. Training/website provided. Monthly income plus bonuses, benefits. Call Carrie 303-579-4207, www.workathomeunited.com/ ourabundance (932-02-15)
CHAIR CANING, hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-547-0723. chaanita@q.com (858-10-15)
ANTLERS ANTLER CHANDELIERS made only from REAL antlers. We are the manufacturer and we sell all of our products at wholesale prices; save as much as 60% from store prices. Many other antler products and mounts, including 56” elk mount, giant moose paddles, and elk antlers. Showroom now open year ’round in Granby, CO. 17 years at this location, over 900 satisfied customers! Designers: We can provide you a single item or a whole houseful. Call ! (970) 6273053. (085-09-15) BOOKS/CDs/DVDs CHANT OF A CHAMPION: Auctioneering DVD from World and International Champion Auctioneer John Korrey. Let John show you how to improve all aspects of your auctioneering chant. Order online at www.chantofachampion.com (210-03-15) THE MINER’S CAP, vivid retelling of the 1914 Ludlow Massacre. Appropriate for both young readers and adults. Availability: bookstores, museum shops, libraries, and online. (199-04-15)
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.)
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PIANO TUNING PAYS. Learn with American School home-study course. Tools included. Call for info. 800-497-9793. (158-01-15)
FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE
TOYS
OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS - $380 with warranty. Also sell portable concentrators and oxygen supplies. Repair and service of equipment. Aspen Concentrator Repair Service 719-471-9895 (040-04-15)
½ ACRE LOT FOR SALE CRESTONE, CO $12,600. High up in Baca Grande Subdivision Chalet 1. Spectacular mountain and valley views await from this very special piece of property. Tap fees are paid. Contact owner at clarityjoy7227@ gmail.com (218-01-15)
HAND LAUNCH GLIDERS – Tough and suitable for children. Easy to assemble. Models come prebalanced. Excellent wing profile ensures long flights. Can be converted to radio control. www.flyingfunco.com (201-01-15)
2 ACRES, BEAUTIFUL VIEW, lots in southeast Arizona. Water, gas, electricity available. 928-359-2251 (203-01-15)
KAUAI VACATION RENTAL, 2bdr, full kitchen. Minutes from beaches. $600/wk. 808-245-6500; makanacrest.com; kauaiweddings. com. (756-05-15)
FREE FREE BOOKS/DVDS. Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com 888-211-1715. (814-04-15) YOU FOUND THE TREASURE. Send an email with the number of classified ads on pages 28-29 to classifieds@coloradocountrylife. org. Subject line MUST say “Classified Contest.” Include name, mailing address and phone number in email. We’ll draw one name on January 15 from those who enter. Winner gets a $25 gift card.
INSURANCE
35 ACRES, Huerfano County. Great views of Spanish Peaks. Will sell or trade for land in Weld County. OWC. 303-883-4835 (209-02-15) 40 acres, 15 miles west of Walsenburg, CO on CR520. Fenced. Prime grazing. Small 2bd recently upgraded trailer on property with tenant. 8-10 gal./min. domestic well. $89,500. Serious offers considered. 719-251-1131, 719-9890850, 719-738-3500. (207-02-15)
WORK LESS & LIVE MORE! MiaBellaNation.com Department #745 (831-02-15)
DurangoColoradoInsurance.com *FREE EXPERT Insurance Advice for Self-Employed* Servicing Beautiful Colorado 970-385-4763. (128-01-15)
80 IRRIGATED ACRES ranchland for rent. Mancos, Colorado. jjtranch@ gmail.com 817-760-1883 leave a message. (206-02-15)
CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION
MACHINERY & PARTS
OWN PROPERTY? NEED INCOME? We’ll rent exclusive hunting rights from you. Looking for antelope, goose, duck, coyote, & prairie dog habitat. Encourage young sportsmen by providing safe, private access. You make the rules. 303-460-0273 (069-04-15)
www.clockrepairandrestoration. com DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Clocks bought and sold. bob.scott@usa.net Call Robert 970-247-7729, (109-04-15)
FOR SALE ABOUT 100 HANDYMAN hand tools for sale. Ft Collins, 970-484-1477 (216-02-15) FIREWOOD – Limbed to 51” length — $50.00 per 8’ pickup. Blocked to 17” by request - $65.00. You pick up. West Loveland. 720-352-3580 (939-02-15) GRASSFED YAK AND BISON meat for sale. Delicious and nutritious. Delivery available. Quarter, half, or whole. 720-256-3364. (029-04-15) MOSS ROCK, Colorado – 150 pallets of Veneer Moss Rock. Reddish brown, lots of moss. All sizes. Near Weston Co. Call Paul for details, 720-379-8289 (215-04-15)
www.sawmillexchange.com SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North America’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings. THE place to sell equipment. 800-459-2148. (26709-15)
MISCELLANEOUS FREE BANKRUPTCY ADVICE (877) 933-1139 or Non-profit Debt Relief (888) 779-4272 or Tax Relief (888) 523-0209. (213-01-15)
POULTRY & GAMEBIRDS FREE COLOR CATALOG. 193 varieties, Cornish Cross, standard breeds, fancy chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, bantams, guineas, pheasants, quail, supplies, video. 417-532-4581. PO Box 529, Lebanon, MO 65536. www.CackleHatchery. com. (876-08-15)
The classified ads December winner was Barrett Chezik of Wiggins.
RELIGION BECOME AN ORDAINED Minister by correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7558 West Thunderbird Rd, Ste 1 - #114, Peoria, AZ 85381. http://www.ordination.org (44106-15)
VACATION RENTAL
VACATION RENTAL KONA, HAWAII, Paradise Villa condo located on the 18th fairway of Kona Country Club with sweeping ocean views; 3bdr, 2ba specials. (503) 369-2638; www. konacondo.info (116-03-15) VAIL DUPLEX – 3bd, 2.5ba, garage; on bus route; 3 night minimum. $250/night, $1700/week. 303-4432607 (212-01-15)
WANTED TO BUY MOSS ROCK, Colorado or Wyoming Moss Rock -– I will buy your moss rock or sell it for you. All types, colors, and sizes considered; the more moss the better, the more unusual, the better. Call Tim for details, 303-588-5021 (208-02-15) NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@hotmail.com (817-06-15) OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1975. Call Wes 303-757-8553. (889-02-15)
FIND HIDDEN TREASURES IN THE CLASSIFIEDS? Read through the ads and FIND the CCL classified explaining how to win a $25 gift card.
It’s easy. You could WIN. coloradocountrylife.coop
[funny stories] WANTED TO BUY
WANTED TO BUY
WANTED TO BUY
OLD COWBOY STUFF–hats, boots, spurs, chaps, Indian rugs, baskets, etc. ANYTHING OLD! Mining & railroad memorabilia, ore carts! We buy whole estates. We’ll come to you! Call 970-759-3455 or 970-5651256. (871-03-15)
OLD POCKET WATCHES – working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209 watchdoctor@hotmail.com. (87006-15)
WANTED: JEEP CJ OR WRANGLER. Reasonably priced. No rust buckets. 888-735-5337 (099-04-15)
OLD GAS AND OIL items: Gas pumps, advertising signs, globes, etc. Pieces, parts, etc. considered. Also 1932-34 Ford cars and trucks, parts and pieces, too. Any condition. Brandon, 719-250-5721. (519-11-15)
WANT TO PURCHASE minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. (402-03-15)
WE PAY CASH for minerals and oil/gas interests, producing and nonproducing. 800-733-8122 (09902-15)
WANT TO PURCHASE rear axle for Gibson Model D tractor or complete rear end assembly. Bob, 719-598-2310. (217-01-15)
Send us photos of you with Colorado Country Life
We’re Looking for photos of readers and their copy of Colorado Country
Life. Got a great picture of you or your family member with the magazine at some fun place? Send it and your name and address to info@coloradocountrylife.org. We’ll post it on our Facebook page and on January 15 we’ll draw a winner from the submissions and send that winner a $25 gift card.
On New Year’s Day, Kelton’s dad insisted he eat at least one black-eyed pea. After much crying and fussing, the 4-yearold finally put one in his mouth and started chewing. Kelton grimaced, shivered, shook, gagged and gagged some more. His mother told him to take a drink and wash it down. After taking a big drink he said, “Umm, that was good!” Terry Wallace, Springfield One very cold, snowy winter day, only the pastor and one farmer arrived at the country church. The pastor said, “Well, I guess we won’t have a service today.” The farmer replied, “Heck, even if only one cow shows up at feeding time, I feed it.” The pastor obliged and did the entire service. As the farmer was leaving, the pastor shook his hand and asked, “How did I do?” “It was OK,” the farmer replied. “But if only one cow shows up at feeding time, I don’t drop the full load on it.” Bonnie Stafford, Loveland
On Sunday morning, as my 7-year-old niece and I were leaving church, I stopped to chat with the priest. Upon walking away, I said to the priest, “Thank you, Father.” With a shocked expression, my niece asked, “He’s your dad?” Charlotte Medina, Denver
Because I am an older pregnant mother, my doctor is constantly referring to the complications that may arise because of my age. So at the end of my last appointment, he said, “I’ll see you in four weeks.” I replied dryly, “Yes, you can tell me all about how old I am again.” To which he responded, “Oh, no. At that appointment we’ll talk about your weight.” Rebecca Blanchard, Colorado Springs
DECEMBER WINNER
This month’s winning photo with the magazine shows professional skydivers Stanton (Dink) Snyder (left) and Rusty Bobby Wardlow (right) sharing a story and a joke with pilot Nick Sharan (behind skydivers) and skydiving student Ralph Novak (not pictured) on their way to altitude over the Fremont County Airport near Penrose.
coloradocountrylife.coop
We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. Send your 2015 stories to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email funnystories@coloradocountrylife.org. Don’t forget to include your mailing address, so we can send you a check.
$15 JANUARY 2015
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Wrapped in Comfort
Boost the bond with your baby comfortably and cutely with a Boba Wrap, made by Boba in Boulder. Simply tie the Boba Wrap around your body, tuck baby safely inside and enjoy holding your little one without surrendering the use of your hands. The Boba Wrap is made with soft cotton interweaved with spandex that holds its form throughout the day. The wrap is designed without fasteners, so there is no need to worry that hardware will dig into you or baby. In addition, the stretchy fabric is convenient for mothers who are breastfeeding. The Boba Wrap holds babies 7 to 35 pounds. It comes in a range of colors including black, bamboo and sangria and are available in solid colors and patterned designs. Prices range from $37.95 to $49.95. For more information and to order, call 888567-9727 or visit boba.com.
Dandy Diaper Bags Fashion Meets Function
Your friends will never guess you’re carrying a diaper bag if it’s a JP Lizzy. These bags carry all the essentials you and your baby need when you’re out and about, but with a fashionable flair. Whether your style calls for punches of color, pretty prints or simple and sophisticated, the Centennialbased company has a diaper bag you’ll be proud to wear on your shoulder. JP Lizzy bag prices range from $47 to $98. Visit jplizzy.com to order yours. 30
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Daddy’s Diaper Bag
A man doesn’t have to lug around a frilly diaper bag just because he’s on an outing with his little one. He should carry a bag that suits his style yet accommodates all of baby’s supplies. The DadGear Original Messenger bag sells from $89 to $110 and is available in 73 colors and patterns, many of which mom will marvel over as well. For more information and to order from the Colorado company, call 303-221-1511 or visit dadgear.com.
A Book of Dreams
I
Imagine Childhood is a business based in Castle Rock that aspires to inspire children to tune in to their imaginations. So it’s no wonder the store’s owner, Sarah Olmsted, wrote the book Imagine Childhood: Exploring the World Through Nature, Imagination and Play, featuring an assortment of activities children can enjoy to foster their imaginations. Inside Imagine Childhood you’ll find projects such as creating a paint can banjo, a magic lantern projector or a bird of paradise mask. Olmsted’s own imagination translates beautifully into the pages of Imagine Childhood; she brings to life excitability, adventure and inspiration with her vivid narration. Enter our January contest for a chance to win a copy of Imagine Childhood by emailing your name, address and phone number to contests@coloradocountrylife. org. Be sure to include “Imagine Childhood” in the subject line. We will choose a winner on January 21. Find out more about the book and shop the store by visiting imaginechildhood.com.
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