[February 2014]
Skijoring
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[contents]
February 2014 [cover] Cover photo by Cris Furman at Silverton’s 2013 Skijoring event.
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16
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4 Viewpoint
16 Skijoring Western Style
22 Gardening
5 Letters 6 Calendar 7 Co-op News 12 NewsClips 14 Powering Up
20 Recipes Show your Valentine a little love from
24 Outdoors
CREA supports your local co-ops with education, communications, safety
Racing horses pull skilled skiers over jumps at Colorado winter festivals
the kitchen with warm and tasty chilis
New book reviews link between plants and today’s cocktails Old-fashioned wet fly patterns maintain simplicity, catch fish
25 Energy Tips
Replace ovens and ranges with more energy-efficient options
29 Funny Stories 30 Discoveries
Don’t be left in the dark — how the power is restored after a storm
30
53,000 the number of acres to explore while snowcat skiing at San Juan Untracked
®
The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association || Volume 45, Number 02
1928
the year skijoring was featured at the Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland
48
the number of hours food will remain safe in a full freezer during a power outage
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 OFFICERS: Bob Bledsoe [Tri-State] President; Bill Midcap [Fort Morgan] Vice President; Don Kaufman [Sangre de Cristo] Secretary; Jack Schneider [Poudre Valley] Treasurer; Kent Singer [CREA] Executive Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Bill Patterson [Delta-Montrose]; John Porter [Empire]; Don McClaskey, Tom Walch [Grand Valley]; John Vader [Gunnison]; Jim Lueck [Highline]; Megan Gilman [Holy Cross]; Dan Mills, Tim Power [K.C.]; Jeff Berman [La Plata]; Stan Cazier [Mountain Parks]; Donna Andersen-Van Ness [Mountain View]; Debbie Rose [San Isabel]; Eleanor Valdez [San Luis Valley]; Dave Alexander, Kevin Ritter [San Miguel]; Randy Phillips [Southeast]; Ginny Buscek [United Power];
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]
Supporting Local Power
It’s your local electric cooperative that makes sure your electricity is flowing BY KENT SINGER || CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR || KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG
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One of CREA’s member co-ops recently received a letter from one of its member-owners thanking me for keeping the lights on in all types of weather. I appreciate the sentiment, but neither the Colorado Rural Electric Association nor I can take the credit. That goes to the local electric co-op. The letter writer noted that during Kent Singer an eight-year period, there had only been one lengthy power outage, and that was due to a windstorm. Friends and family in other states were impressed that the writer’s electric service was so good in such a remote area. I appreciated the letter. But I felt bad that the local co-op wasn’t receiving its full due from this writer, who is obviously a satisfied co-op member. I understand why there might be some confusion as to the different ways CREA provides service to Colorado’s electric co-op members as compared to the way your co-op serves you. But we at the statewide trade association are a resource for your local electric co-op. We provide support in four areas, providing services that can be offered more economically and efficiently on a centralized basis:
n Communications: One of the resources we provide is this magazine, Colorado Country Life. Your local co-op saves on expenses by working with the other electric co-ops in the state to publish this magazine filled with important electric news and other consumer information. And we’ve found a way to make the magazine uniquely yours with information from your local co-op on pages 7 to 10. That’s where you’ll find a more local perspective on issues. This column, written by me as executive director of CREA, is written from a statewide perspective. I share information I believe is important to all of our electric co-op members since about 200,000 copies of the magazine are distributed statewide each month. You can visit CREA and Colorado Country Life on the web and on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. We are working on ways to support the local electric co-ops as they move toward digital tools while not abandoning traditional communications. n Political advocacy: CREA also exists to provide all of Colorado’s electric co-ops a presence in political debate. We
carefully monitor legislation introduced in the Colorado legislature to determine whether it will have any impact on our member electric co-ops, their employees and their member-owners. These issues could involve workers’ compensation, marijuana in the workplace, right-of-way costs and requirements, advanced metering, renewable energy, air quality and myriad other issues affecting co-ops. This year, the legislature convened January 8 and already we are watching a number of bills that have been introduced that relate to electric co-ops and our operations. n Education: Staying current on issues, training and regulations is imperative in the electric industry, and we at CREA provide seminars and programs to help keep your co-op board and staff on top of the ever-changing environment. In addition to hosting classes at CREA’s headquarters in Denver, we arrange for classes at co-op headquarters around the state. We also organize meetings for a broad range of employee subgroups, such as the managers, customer service reps, accountants, human resources professionals, attorneys, etc., so that peers in various job functions have a chance to interact and “talk shop.” n Safety and loss control: Keeping employees safe is a priority for each of our member co-ops, and they depend on CREA’s safety and loss control team to works with all of the co-ops’ employees to minimize risks and keep folks safe on the job. Those guys and gals in the field who answer service calls day or night, rain or shine, deserve nothing but the best safety training we can provide, and we strive to protect them and all co-op employees with exactly that.
While I believe CREA adds a significant value to the mission of Colorado’s electric co-ops, neither I nor my staff here in Denver climb poles or change out transformers. That happens at your local electric co-op. So take time to thank the employees there for doing that real work. They are the ones dedicated to that crazy idea that electric service in rural Colorado should be as affordable and reliable as it is in the metro areas along the Front Range.
Kent Singer, Executive Director
FOLLOW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KENT SINGER’S BLOG AT COLORADOREABLOG.WORDPRESS.COM. ColoradoCountryLife.coop 4 February 2014
[letters] Book Reviews In the last couple days I have noticed an uptick in requests for my Colorado history book, Heroes, Villains, Dames & Disasters. I really couldn’t put my finger on exactly what was driving my new orders … now I know. I just returned from the mailbox with copies of Colorado Country Life and there’s my book on your cover. I can’t thank you enough for including my work and sharing it with your readers. It should be satisfying for you to know that they are reading your work and taking your recommendations. Michael Madigan, author
Heated Efficiency Tips The writer of your November Tip of the Month doesn’t seem to know how thermostats work. They maintain the temperature at a set level by regulating the output of the heating system. If extra heat from a busy kitchen or fireplace or a lot of bodies increases the temperature, the furnace won’t come on or won’t come on as often. Turning down the set point will make the house colder, at least at the point where the temperature is measured, whether or not there are other heat sources. It may be that the thermostat should be turned up when there is heat from the kitchen. If the temperature sensor is close to the kitchen, the heat will keep the furnace from coming on and make the rest of the house colder. The temperature sensor doesn’t care where the heat comes from. Jerry L. Modisette, Ph.D., Pagosa Springs
Mining Support for Electricity The November issue discussed the importance of different engineering disciplines involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy. I would like to add another. It all starts with the mining engineering discipline, which produces the fuels and metals (such as copper, iron, aluminum, etc.) required to manufacture the equipment and materials used to generate and transmit electricity. Without these metals, there would be no electricity produced by primary or renewable resources. Frank A. Seeton, Lakewood 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. ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 5
[calendar]
[February] February 7 Colorado Springs Olympic Celebration and Downtown Dash Downtown Colorado Springs coloradospringssports.org February 8-9 Divide Rocky Mountain State Games Dog Sled Race Hayden Divide Community Park coloradospringssports.org February 8 Golden Black on Track: African American Connections & Stories Colorado Railroad Museum 10 am-4 pm • 303-279-4591 February 10 Grand Junction Taste of the Grand Valley Two Rivers Convention Center 4-7:30 pm • 970-243-5364 February 12 Littleton Honeybee Hive Management Systems The Inn at Hudson Gardens 6-8 pm • 303-797-8565 x306 February 13-16 Boulder Boulder International Film Festival Various Boulder Locations biff1.com February 13-16 Telluride Comedy Festival Sheridan Opera House 8 pm • 970-728-6363 February 14 Crested Butte Valentine’s Day Yurt Dinner Magic Meadows at Crested Butte Nordic Center 6 pm • 970-349-1707 February 14 Loveland Theater Performance: “Romeo and Juliet” Rialto Theater Center 8 pm • 970-962-2120
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 6 February 2014
February 14-16 Pagosa Springs WinterFest Weekend Various Pagosa Springs Locations 800-252-2204
February 20-22 Aspen Aspen Laff Festival Wheeler Opera House wheeleroperahouse.com
February 15 Denver Aeromodeling at the Hangar Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum 10 am-4 pm 303-360-5360 x105
February 20-23 Lamar High Plains Snow Goose & Heritage History Festival Various Lamar Locations 719-336-4379 highplainssnowgoose.com
February 15 Durango AlpenGlow Evening Snowshoe Tour Durango Mountain Resort 970-385-2147
February 21-23 Winter Park Wells Fargo Ski Cup Winter Park Resort 303-293-5711 winterparkresort.com
February 15 Durango Romance on the Rails Train Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum 888-872-4607
February 22 Colorado Springs History and Science Writing Class Western Museum of Mining & Industry 719-488-0880 rsvp@wmmi.org
February 15-16 Estes Park Rails in the Rockies Model Railroad Show Estes Park Conference Center/ Rocky Mountain Park Inn 9 am-5 pm estesvalleymodelrailroaders. org February 15 Gould Full Moon Open House State Forest State Park 970-723-8366 • cpw.state.co.us February 15-16 Silverton Skijoring Event Blair Street skijoringsilverton.com February 16 Beulah Walk Your Dog Hike Mountain Park Environmental Center 2 pm • 719-485-4444 February 16 Denver Japanese Drumming Performance History Colorado Center 12:30 pm • historycolorado center.org
February 22 Fort Collins High Plains Landscape Workshop Lincoln Center 8:30 am-3:30 pm fcgov.com/highplains February 22 Grand Junction Cabin Fever Reliever 5K Mesa County Fairgrounds 10 am cabinfeverreliever5k.com February 22 Lake City Ice Fishing Derby Lake San Cristobal lakecity.com/index.php/ events2 February 22 Loveland Timber Dan Antique & Collectible Toy Show Larimer County Fairgrounds 9 am-3 pm • 970-667-9655
February 26-March 1 Colorado Springs U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships Colorado Springs World Arena 2014synchrochampionships. com February 26-March 2 Durango Durango Independent Film Festival Various Locations 970-375-7779 durangofilm.org February 27 Greeley Spotlight on Youth Band Concert Monfort Concert Hall 6:30 pm • 970-356-5000
[March] March 1 Longmont Quilt Sale First Lutheran Church 10 am • interfaithquilters.com March 1 Salida Dance Night SteamPlant Ballroom 7:30-10:30 pm • salidasteam plant.com March 1-2 Silverton Snowmobile Drag Racing Molas Lake Park 970-387-5512 • silverton colorado.com March 8 Denver Children’s Music Festival Trinity United Methodist Church 9 am-3:30 pm • 303-839-1493
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YAMPA VALLEY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION INC.
[YVEA News] n Tamper Resistant Outlets
Service Is the Heart of Our Community
n Education, Training and Information
BY DIANE JOHNSON || GENERAL MANAGER || DJOHNSON@YVEA.COM
[what’s inside] n Stay Safe During a Storm
n SmartHub Is Available n CFL Charlie Meets LED Lucy STEAMBOAT SPRINGS OFFICE P.O. Box 771218 Steamboat Springs, CO 80477-1218 CRAIG OFFICE P.O. Box 217 Craig, CO 81626 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS ADDRESS 32 10th St. Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 CRAIG ADDRESS 3715 E. US Highway 40 Craig, CO 81625 970-879-1160 [Steamboat Springs] 970-824-6593 [Craig] www.yvea.com [web] BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dean Brosious [chairman] Patrick McClelland [vice chairman] Mike Brinks Larry Ellgen Tom Fox Russell Garrity Scott McGill Frank Roitsch Glynda Sheehan STAFF Diane Johnson [general manager] Robert L. Miller [manager of finance] Steve Johnson [manager of operations] Marty Hinson [manager of engineering] Melissa Watson [manager of member services] Lisa Myers [manager of human resources] facebook.com/YampaValleyElectricAssociation twitter.com/YampaValleyElec
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I’m seeing red (and pink). Valentine’s Day is a great holiday, but the cards, balloons and candy cramming aisles this time of year leave me missing something. I’d like a card for our community. When you’re letting loved ones know you care about Diane Johnson them, go a step further. As a member-owned electric cooperative, we’re committed to powering our community and empowering you to improve your quality of life. How can life be better in our local communities? We can have hearts for service. On February 14, I urge you to take time to send a card to a lineman, police officer or firefighter. Give a small gift to a schoolteacher. Visit a retirement home and spend time with the folks who built our community. Send balloons or, better yet, a donation to your favorite charitable agency or group. These champions are the heart of our commu-
nity. There’s a way for you to be a champion. Call Yampa Valley Electric Association and sign up for Operation Round Up. By rounding up your bill to the nearest dollar you can contribute to YVEA’s Caring Consumer program. Through YVEA’s Caring Consumer program, members like you have donated over $225,000 to strengthen our community, including local schools, youth organizations and help agencies. Add your love — and spare change — to the effort. Our members have rounded up their electric bills since 1999, allocating more than $231,300 to service groups across our community. On Valentine’s Day (and every day), let’s celebrate service, the heart of our community.
ENERGY TIP Fighting winter chills? A crackling fire in the hearth warms the house, but don’t let it heat up your electric bill. To cool energy costs, keep the fireplace damper closed when not in use. Caulk around the fireplace hearth. Double wood-earned warmth by lowering the thermostat setting to between 50 and 55 degrees. Learn more at EnergySaver.gov. ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 7
[YVEA News] Safe Use of Generators During Power Outages
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Winter snow and ice can look beautiful glistening off the stark branches of trees. But if the weight of that snow and ice snaps a limb off a tree and brings it down onto wires carrying electricity to your home, it could knock out the power. Its beauty then quickly fades and changes into a challenge to keep your family safe and warm. One way to meet that challenge head on is with a generator. A generator is great to help keep your family safe and warm when the power goes out. However, if you do not know how to operate one correctly, you might be putting them in harm’s way. Safe Electricity offers these tips when operating your generator: 4 Read and follow all manufacturer operating instructions to properly ground the generator. Be sure you understand them before hooking up the generator. 4 To prevent back feed, standby generators should have a transfer safety switch installed by a professional. Portable generators should never be plugged directly into
a home outlet or electrical system. Instead, use an extension cord to plug appliances into an outlet on the generator to power them. 4 Never operate a generator in a confined area, such as a garage. Generators can produce numerous gases, including toxic and deadly carbon monoxide. They require proper ventilation.
4 Generators pose electrical risks especially when operated in wet conditions. Use a generator only when necessary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-like structure and on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it. Always ensure your hands are dry before touching the generator. 4 When you refuel the generator, make sure the engine is cool to prevent a fire, should the tank overflow. 4 Nothing should be plugged into the generator when you turn it on. This prevents a surge from damaging your generator and appliances. 4 Be sure to keep children and pets away from the generator, which could burn them. For more safety information on the safe operation of portable and standby generators, visit SafeElectricity.org.
Protect Children From Shocks With Tamper Resistant Outlets
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The National Fire Protection Association estimates that an average of 2,400 children suffer severe shock from electrical outlets yearly. Six to 12 of these shocks are fatal. These incidents are a result of children sticking ordinary household objects in the slots of electrical outlets. Protect your children and young visitors from potentially fatal shock by making sure your outlets are tamper resistant. Tamper resistant outlets or tamper resistant electrical receptacles have shutters that stay closed unless a plug with two prongs is inserted into the outlet. Both springs on the shutters must be compressed at the same time to allow an object to gain access. If a child attempts to stick an object in the outlet, the shutter prevents the object from entering and no contact with electricity is made. TROs are affordable and can be purchased anywhere from $1 to $10. Since 2008, the National Electrical Code requires all new and renovated dwellings to be equipped with TROs. Therefore, if your home was built before 2008, there is a good chance your outlets are not
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 8 February 2014
tamper resistant. Installing a TRO is a fairly simple home improvement project for experienced DIYers. If you do not have a thorough understanding of electricity, TROs should be installed by a professional. Steps include: •B efore starting any electrical project, make sure to shut off the power at the breaker box. • Remove the faceplate to the outlet with a screwdriver. • Remove the screws holding the device into the wall. • P ull the outlet out of the wall and loosen the screws holding the three wires in place and detach the old outlet. • I nstall the wires in the same locations that were on the old outlet: The bare copper (ground) wire gets attached to the green screw, the white (neutral) wire attached to the silver screw and the black (hot) wire attached to the gold screw. • F old wires back into the box and screw the new outlet back on the wall. • Replace the faceplate and turn the power back on. TROs are strongly advised for household safety, but there are other safety alternatives including outlet caps or sliding covers. These devices cover the outlet, but they are not without risk. Outlet caps can be lost and are also a choking hazard for some children. Many children can also figure out how to remove the caps and sliding covers.
For more safety information, visit SafeElectricity.org.
[YVEA News] Cooperative Principle 5: Education, Training and Information Save money and energy — visit YVEA.com to discover ways to save on your energy bill The Home Energy Calculator is a way for members to personalize their energy calculations and find ways to save money. The calculator will provide you with estimates of energy use costs based on your inputs and will allow you to perform energy-saving scenarios to pinpoint your opportunities for savings. While you’re there, try the other tools available like the Vampire Calculator. This calculator shows you how much of your energy dollars are being used by appliances in your home that are plugged in but not turned on. And the Lighting Calculator compares the purchase price and cost to operate compact fluorescent lamps versus incandescent lights. Providing these tools for members is just another way that YVEA helps educate members.
SmartHub Is Available Now
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Yampa Valley Electric Association is proud to introduce its new member portal, SmartHub. This new member portal makes it even easier to stay connected to YVEA via today’s Internet technologies. Members may now check usage, pay their bill, report an outage, stay up to date and much more, all from your web browser, iPhone, iPad or Android device. SmartHub replaces the previous eBill system and uses your same username and password. If you have not previously used YVEA eBill, you can sign up by going to yvea.smarthub.coop. To download the new SmartHub app for your mobile device, simply search for “SmartHub” in the Apple App Store® or in the Android® Market. The app is free to all our members.
Invest In Barriers to Prevent Breezes
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According to EnergyStar.gov, the typical home has enough air leaks that, if added up, would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year. Some common areas to find air leaks are: • Behind or under knee walls • Attic hatches • Wiring holes • Plumbing vents • Furnace vents • Dryer vents • Recessed lights • Windows and doors Fortunately, there are also many things you can do to keep the warm air inside where it belongs. Some of the air leaks you can probably fix yourself with some caulk and weather stripping. Other leaks might take a contractor’s help to repair. Start today and seal your home for added warmth this winter.
Power Line Safety
Failure to notice power lines can be a deadly oversight. Hundreds are killed or injured each year when their equipment makes contact with overhead lines. Teach everyone to look up when working around power lines. For more information on electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org. ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 9
[YVEA News] Meet LED Lucy, the New Bulb on the Block
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There’s a new lighting mascot in town. CFL Charlie, a cartoon mascot for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives®, the brand identification of the nation’s not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperatives, helps families become “super savers” by switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs. In 2013, LED Lucy, a dazzling, spunky mascot lighting the way for even brighter bulb savings, joined him. Lighting standards started shifting away from traditional lightbulbs in 2012. CFL Charlie and LED Lucy want to make sure Yampa Valley Electric Association members know about all lighting options. “I’m older than I look,” LED Lucy confides. “The first LED was created in 1927. Since then we’ve added stylish colors and costs dropped. I love bargains and LED prices get lower every year!” The mascots share a few pointers on their energy efficiency namesakes. Compact fluorescent lamps CFL Charlie and other bulbs like him are the most common and economical efficient lightbulbs on the market. The swirly style is linked to the concept of efficient lighting, but some consumers haven’t warmed to the design. “Not everyone likes to see my swirls,” explains Charlie. “That’s fine by me. Everyone has a different sense of style. But several of my friends are designed to look just like a traditional lightbulb.” CFLs offer 75 percent energy savings over traditional incandescent bulbs and pay for themselves in nine months, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Light emitting diodes LEDs have been used for years in cell phones and other electron-
ics. Most diodes are small at about half the size of a pencil eraser. By banding several small diodes together, a bright and dependable light emerges. As their popularity grows, some companies are making light with a single, bright LED chip. Finding new ways to build LEDs will help drive down costs. “It’s going to be fun to watch LED Lucy gain fans,” says Charlie. “She uses a little less energy than me, and lasts 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.” Since lighting adds up to 10 percent of a home’s electric bill, every bulb counts. To help children learn more about lighting, visit KidsEnergyZone.com. Source: Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, U.S. Department of Energy
Stay Warm During Power Outages If your power goes out due to a winter storm, you might be in for a prolonged power outage as crews work through the harsh weather to get your power back on. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you contact Yampa Valley Electric as soon as you can to let the co-op know. Other actions you can take to stay safe and comfortable are: 4 Stay inside and dress warm in layered
clothing. 4 Close off unneeded rooms.
4 When using an alternative heat source,
follow operating instructions, use fire safeguards and be sure to properly ventilate. Always keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it. 4 Place a rolled-up rug or heavy towel at
the bottom of doors to minimize any cold drafts from entering the house. 4 Cover windows at night. 4 Keep a close eye on the temperature
in your home. Infants and people over
the age of 65 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.
For more information on how to prepare for a winter storms, visit SafeElectricity.org. ColoradoCountryLife.coop 10 February 2014
ColoradoCountryLife.coop December 2013 11
[newsclips]
Why Does the Magazine Arrive From the Co-op?
Photo courtesy Tri-State G&T
D CO-OPS STRUT STUFF
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Thousands of people watched as the six-horse draft hitch sponsored by Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives thundered through the arena as part of the rodeo shows at the National Western Stock Show in Denver January 11-26. This is the 16th consecutive year that Colorado’s electric co-ops have banded together under their shared Touchstone Energy brand to bring this unique and amazing entertainment to the crowds at the stock show. Sponsoring the hitch gives the co-ops unique visibility in front of urban and rural attendees.
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, energy saving options and more. Sending all of that information in individual mailings would increase costs and add to your electric bill. And 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 co-ops to publish part of the magazine, your local co-op is able to 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, cost-effective 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 coloradocountrylife.coop. Or follow the Colorado Touchstone Energy Co-ops on Facebook at facebook.com/ColoradoREA or facebook.com/CO CountryLife or on Twitter at twitter.com/ColoradoREA or twitter.com/ COCountryLife.
Information Power
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Everyone knows that our modern gadgets — computers, laptops, tablets, smart-
phones — are worthless without electricity to operate them. We understand that we have to plug them in and charge them in order to be able to use them. What we don’t always realize is that the communication occurring between our
machines — texts, emails, Internet surfing, cloud computing — also requires electricity. It takes a lot of power to operate the brick-and-mortar facilities needed for us to operate in the digital world. For example, when you email a photo from your phone to your neighbor, it travels through countless miles of cables and servers in a huge global network of data centers that all require electricity. How much electricity? U.S. data centers consumed about 76 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2010. And while there were 2,094 U.S. federal data centers in 2010, there are more than 3 million data centers worldwide. And that number continues to grow as one-third of the world’s population doesn’t have access to the Internet yet. — KeepElectricityAffordable.org ColoradoCountryLife.coop 12 February 2014
((cc))BY-ND
KeepElectricityAffordable.org
[newsclips] LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Sun-Powered Car Unveiled
A solar-powered hybrid car with a range of more than 600 miles? What a concept! Ford introduced the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January and created a buzz. This plug-in hybrid car uses a conventional gasoline engine in combination with rooftop solar panels and a concentrating lens that will charge its battery. Rather than plugging in to the grid, this vehicle would park its solar panel roof under a giant lens that would recharge the car in six to seven hours using an average U.S. city’s sunlight. The car has an estimated mileage of 100 miles per gallon when the solar charge and the gasoline engine are combined. And, while the 600+ range of the vehicle is a plus, Ford estimated that 75 percent of all car trips for urban dwellers could be powered by the sun alone. Still a concept with questions on cost, safety and energy output to be answered, the car does hint at new ways to power our vehicles without adding to the load of the traditional electric grid. These cars won’t be for sale in the near future, but work continues on new ways to power our vehicles.
Following Colorado’s General Assembly during this year’s session? Keep contact information on your phone or tablet with the Colorado Rural Electric Association’s 2014 Colorado Legislature app. Search for the app in your App Store or in Google Play and download it for only 99¢. You’ll have addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Facebook pages for the Colorado General Assembly members, the governor and his cabinet and for Colorado’s congressional delegation.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 13
[industry]
POWERING UP
Don’t be left in the dark on how power is restored after a storm BY MEGAN MCKOY-NOE
Black clouds swell in the sky and then make way toward your home as strong winds whip through the trees. Lights flicker and fade as errant tree limbs brush against power lines.
After a snowstorm, the weight of the snow and strong winds toppled this tree, bringing down nearby power lines. ColoradoCountryLife.coop 14 February 2014
Some storms are silent. In the dead of winter, layer upon layer of ice collects on trees and spreads slowly over power lines. One inch of ice on a single span of electric wire weighs as much as 1,250 pounds, a force capable of causing far more damage than wind as the weight drives branches and even whole trees and power lines to the ground. Blizzards, ice storms, tornados, rainstorms — no matter the weather, the end result may be temporary power loss. Local electric cooperatives routinely trim vegetation near their power lines and remove trees hovering dangerously close to them to prevent outages, a process called right-of-way maintenance. But when nature prevails, lineworkers, engineers and other employees are standing by, ready to take action to get your lights back on. Your first step is to report your outage by calling your co-op. Then it’s a matter of waiting until repairs can be made. Have you ever wondered how your co-op decides where to start restoring power? When co-op staff begins assessing storm damage, crews focus on fixing the biggest problems first, prioritizing repairs according to how quickly and safely they can get the most homes back into service. This is how it works:
1
Clearing a path
Think of the flow of electricity as a river in reverse. It originates at a single ocean of power (a generation plant) and diverges from there into a series of transmission lines, substations and smaller feeder lines until it reaches homes and businesses at a trickle of its original strength. Transmission lines (which carry power at high voltages from power plants) and local substations (where the voltage is lowered for safe travel to neighborhoods) must both be inspected for damage and repaired before any other efforts take place. After all, if the substation linked to your neighborhood’s power supply has been damaged, it won’t matter if lineworkers repair every problem near your home. The lights will stay off.
Stay Safe After a severe storm, broken power lines may land on the ground or in roadways. Stay away from all fallen power lines and report them to your co-op. Electricity could still be flowing through the lines, making them dangerous. There are other deadly safety concerns after a storm. For example, if a power outage lasts longer than two hours, consider perishable food. Throw away any food that’s been exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more. An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours, while food in a full freezer stays safe for about 48 hours. If using a portable generator, connect equipment you want to power directly into outlets on the generator with a properly rated extension cord. Never operate a generator inside your home because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring unless your home has been wired for generator use. Lineworkers’ lives could be put in danger from power backfeeding onto electric lines. Connecting the generator to your home’s circuits or wiring must be done by a qualified, licensed electrician who will install a transfer switch to prevent backfeeding.
2
Bulk efforts
3
One-on-one
After restoring the flow of power to local substations, co-ops focus on getting power back to the greatest number of members. Distribution lines in highly populated areas and communities are checked for damage and generally repaired first, delivering electricity to the most members. What does this mean? You might live on a farm or ranch with neighbors a mile or two away, or you could live in a neighborhood surrounded by 10 or 20 homes. Folks in neighborhoods will likely see power return before members in more remote areas. Once again, line repairs are prioritized by the number of members who benefit.
After fixing damage blocking power to large pockets of members’ territory, co-ops focus on repairing tap lines, also called supply or service lines. These lines deliver power to transformers outside homes and businesses. This is the final stage of power restoration, requiring a bit more patience. Individual households may receive special attention if loss of electricity affects life-support systems or poses another immediate danger. If someone in your household depends on special medical equipment, call your co-op before an emergency arises. If you notice your neighbors have power while you remain out of service, there might be damage between your home and the transformer on a nearby pole. If you didn’t report your outage earlier, be sure to call your co-op so a line crew can make repairs.
BE PREPARED While utilities work hard to reduce the impact strong winds and ice have on power lines, it’s good to be prepared for any disaster that might hit your community. Store a few basic items in your home. You should have at least a three-day supply of water on hand, one gallon per person per day. It’s also a good idea to have a three-day supply of nonperishable, high-energy food on hand, such as protein bars, breakfast bars and canned food. Remember to store handy tools, such as a radio, can opener, flashlights, extra batteries, hand sanitizer and first aid supplies. Include a seven-day supply of medications for you or other family members. Finally, retain copies of important documents, such as birth certificates, passports and insurance policies. Those are the basics, but you can further customize your emergency kit. Think about including family photos; candy, nuts or other snack food; or a deck of cards to help pass the time. Rechargeable flashlights in key areas of the home provide instant light if the power goes out. To learn more about how to prepare for storms and other emergencies, visitready.gov.
Learn more about how power is restored by scanning this page using Layar. ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 15
Skijoring
Catching Air, Western Style BY SHAWNA BETHE LL
Amid the cheering crowd, ringing cowbells and whinny of horses, I hear the guy next to me joyfully exclaim, “This guy’s good enough to ski with one hand and roll a cigarette with the other.” And right then, the skier in question flies by, low and lean, before he hits the ramp for a jump, catches air, lands clean and slices on down the course. He crosses the finish and the already riotous crowd gets even louder as he drops his rope and throws his hands in the air. He’s the local favorite, and by now, everyone along the course knows it.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 16 February 2014
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It wasn’t the typical kind of comment you expect to hear at a ski race, but skijoring isn’t a typical kind of race, Notorious Blair Street isn’t a typical kind of course and Silverton isn’t your typical kind of town. Sitting at 9,318 feet in a tiny valley beneath majestic Colorado mountain peaks, this historic mining town is the quintessential setting for a skijoring event. Hitching posts stand in front of authentically renovated hotels and restaurants that used to be gambling halls and bordellos, while Silverton Mountain — boasting the perfect extreme ski experience — sets the standard for the quality of skiers to be found up here. It is the best of the old and new, perfect for hosting this wild culture clash of cowboys and skiers in a sport challenging for both. For anyone unfamiliar with skijoring, it began in Scandinavia as a form of transportation when ski-
ers roped up behind reindeer. Through the years it became a sport with skiers racing behind dogs, mules and, in the western United States, horses. The course runs straight, but berms of snow are piled up to form ski ramps along each side. A horse and rider take the center course at a full run while a skier holding a rope weaves back and forth across the course through a series of gates and over the ramps. And just to make the race that much more challenging, both skier and rider must spear a number of bright orange rings situated along the course. The run is timed and penalties are given for missed gates, ramps or rings. Winners place as individuals and as a three-member team: skier, rider and horse. “The horses are the most important part,” says Jason Russell, skier and overall winner of the 2013 race. “If you don’t have a fast horse, there’s not much you [continued on page 18]
ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 17
[continued from page 17]
can do.” And while everyone agrees that the level of teamwork, respect and competitive coexistence from these supposedly opposite cultures is at its utmost here, everyone gives kudos to the four-legged team member first. “It’s the horses that bring people together,” says Ann Rapp, a horsewoman from Durango. “They are a great (center) of conversation.” And she is right. Look around the historic and somewhat surreal setting and you’ll see crowds lining the street dressed warmly for winter comfort. You’ll also see skiers wearing red bandanas and cowboys and cowgirls wearing helmets. You’ll see cowboys in full dusters and boots and kids with brightly colored knitted caps. And what you notice is they are all mesmerized by the powerful animals around which the sport centers. These horses trot and sometimes run the course warming up, snorting hot breath in the frigid air. They are ready to race and their energy brings an extra level of excitement to the crowd. “They love it,” says Jeff Dahl, also from Durango, whose horse Red Lodge is a perennial winner and named for Red Lodge, Montana, where the West’s largest race is held. “They were born to race and they are treated like kings. And they know what their job is come race day.” “But one of the things I like best about racing in Silverton,” says Rapp, “is that after a run you can take the horses down the quiet alleys of town to calm them. Just you and your horse stepping through the snow.” Tim McCarthy of Aztec, New Mexico, has a differing view of why he races the Silverton event, which is
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 18 February 2014
celebrating its fifth year. Sitting atop Swagger — who earns every bit of his name — in one of those quiet, snow-filled alleys, he says, “What I like best is that the town closes down for us and everyone gets involved in the race. You can walk down the streets here and people look you in the eye and smile.” And while the community doesn’t necessarily shut down for skijoring weekend, which is always set for Presidents’ Day weekend, a large part of the population gets involved. Volunteers and city employees build the course from the abundance of white stuff the high mountains accumulate. Others are involved in
[continued from page 18]
registration and advertising as well as being flaggers or line judges at the actual event. “I do a lot of praying this time of year,” quips Pete Maisel, one of the many organizers of the Silverton event. “You pray for snow so the event can take place. Then you pray for sun because those horse people have to drive horses and trailers over those passes.” The passes he refers to are Red Mountain to the north and Molas and Coal Bank to the south. In good weather there are travelers who refuse to drive that avalanche-ridden highway into town. In bad weather, and pulling a horse trailer, it takes an extra bit of nerve. But they do it because they love the sport, plus the winner’s purse isn’t a bad incentive. Silverton’s purse is growing with each passing year and so is the event’s continued popularity. “Notorious Blair Street, drinking, gambling, miners and cowboys,” Dahl says stretching his arms wide to include the mountains, the people, the horses and the town. “Where else could we race that is more perfect than this?” Shawna Bethell is a writer from Silverton who enjoys the annual skijoring weekend as a spectator.
A Weekend of Skijoring The fifth Annual Silverton Skijoring weekend will be Presidents’ Day weekend, February 15 and 16. This is a free spectator event. Fees for participation and registration can be found at Silvertonski-joring.com along with a detailed set of competition rules. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the races run on notorious Blair Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. For safety reasons, no dogs are allowed. The weekend will also include music and other events around Silverton. Silverton is located on Highway 550 in the southwest corner of Colorado. From Durango, it is 50 miles north. From Montrose, it is 65 miles south. For more information, call 970-744-9446.
Find information on other skijoring events in Colorado at coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on the feature story and then look for the schedule. ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 19
[recipes]
Epicurean Expression Makes Good Impression Show your Valentine a little love from the kitchen BY AMY HIGGINS || AHIGGINS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG It’s Good Medicine
Chicken soup contains a number of substances — including an anti-inflammatory mechanism that may ease the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold.
F
Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your special someone can be tricky. But whether you go all out or keep it simple, you’re sure to score big points any time of year simply by putting some love into a scrumptious homemade meal. These recipes aren’t your run-of-the-mill chilis; they’re thick, hearty and perfect for a cold winter’s night. So, keep these ingredients on hand and treat your sweetheart to a bowl of delicious hot goodness.
Turkey Green Bean Chili With Cheesy Corn Fritters 1 pound ground turkey breast 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped red bell pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 (14.5 ounces each) cans Del Monte Zesty Chili Style diced tomatoes, do not drains 1 cup water 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 can (14.5 ounces) cut green beans, drained
Corn Fritters:
Avoid Tears When Chopping Onions • Place the onion in the freezer for 1-5 minutes • Soak the peeled onion in cold water for 5 minutes before chopping • Don’t lean over the cutting board • Chew gum while cutting the onion • Dip the knife in canola oil before you start
1 package (8.5 ounces) corn muffin mix 1 large egg, beaten 2/3 cup milk 1 can (8.75 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained 1/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers 1 tablespoon vegetable oil For Chili, cook turkey, onion, bell pepper and garlic over medium heat in a large pot for 8 to 10 minutes or until meat is brown and vegetables are tender; drain. Stir in tomatoes, water and cumin. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in green beans. Serve with Cheesy Corn Fritters. For Cheesy Corn Fritters, combine muffin mix, egg, milk, corn and cheese in a large bowl. Heat oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. For each fritter, pour about 3 tablespoons of batter into hot skillet. Cook 4 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Source: Can Manufacturers Institute
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 20 February 2014
Easiest Ever Chili 1 pound lean ground beef 1/2 cup chopped green peppers 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 can (15.5 ounces) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes 2 tablespoons chili powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional) Toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, as desired Sour cream, as desired Brown ground beef with green peppers and onions in medium saucepot. Add remaining ingredients and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Serve, if desired, with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. Source: Birds Eye
Find more delicious soup and chili recipes, at coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Recipes.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop December 2013 21
[gardening]
Flora by the Glass
New book reviews the variety of plants adding flavor to favorite libations BY EVA ROSE MONTANE || ABUNDANTEARTHGARDENS.COM || GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
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Let’s face it. It’s February in Colorado and the only type of successful gardening most of us are accomplishing is in our imaginations. We visualize plump heirloom tomatoes, vibrant raspberries and blossoming peonies, but, alas, it’s still a couple months before this imagery can come to fruition. In the meantime, as we feed our imagination we can also feed our intellect by learning more about the greenery that will soon surround us.
Eons of edibles Over the course of history and across many cultures, humans have transformed plants to their liking, not only in the form of domestication via agriculture, but also in the form of distillation and fermentation to produce an enticing array of alcoholic beverages that continue to color the personality of cultures around the globe. From flowers, fruit and fungi, to trees and herbs, an A to Z listing of plants is explored in Amy Stewart’s new book, The Drunken Botanist, along with the “biology, chemistry, history, etymology and mixology” that turn unsuspecting plants into libations that seduce our palates and release our inhibitions. Stewart starts off by relating the incident that inspired her to write the book. At the end of a day at a garden writers conference, she and fellow acclaimed garden writer Scott Calhoun stopped by the local liquor store to pick out a libation. As she looked around, it struck her that the origin of the contents of every single bottle in the place could be traced to a plant. As she writes: Before we left, we stood in the doorway for a minute and looked around us. There wasn’t a bottle in the store that we couldn’t assign a genus and species to. Bourbon? Zea mays, an overgrown grass. Absinthe? Artemisia absinthium, a much-misunderstood Mediterranean herb. Polish vodka? Solanum tuberosum — a nightshade, which is a weird family of plants if there ever was one. Beer? Humulus lupulus, a sticky climbing vine that happens to be a close cousin to cannabis. Suddenly we weren’t in a liquor store anymore. We were in a fantastical greenhouse, the world’s most exotic botanical garden, the sort of strange and overgrown conservatory we only encounter in our dreams. ColoradoCountryLife.coop 22 February 2014
And The Drunken Botanist was Born Stewart offers more than 50 drink recipes and a healthy dose of gardening tips to make you more self-reliant if you imbibe. In addition, she offers plenty of interesting fun facts about plants to liven up your party conversations. And it’s just fun for us “plant heads” — a term I first heard from the Win a copy of The Drunken Botanist. aforementioned CalSend your name, address and phone houn — also affectionnumber to contests@coloradocountry ately called “plant geeks.” life.org by February 21. As far as I’m concerned I can’t know too much about plants. I’ve been so inspired by Stewart’s book that it is serving as a springboard for a new class I am working on for this summer’s annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, July 7-13. If ethnobotany — the scientific study of relationships between peoples and plants — entices you, keep a lookout for the class listing later this spring at crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com. The festival will feature a few of Crested Butte’s food and drink establishments that have embraced the freshest and tastiest plant materials available to make creative concoctions that will make your mouth water. You will experience a unique taste sensation at a local ice creamery, a local rum distillery and a venue offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients to make outrageously creative cocktails. Enjoy tastings and a specially tailored talk from the people behind the creations about the tradition, their inspiration, and the botanicals involved in their craft at each of these places for a one-of-a-kind Crested Butte experience. Use the Layar app to scan this page and get Stewart’s recipe for Garden-Infused Simple Syrup. We’re suggesting you use lavendar for a Champagne cocktail. Eva Rose Montane hosts a cutting-edge series on gardening in Colorado. Read more gardening advice at coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Living in Colorado and then Gardening.
Coming next month
Filmmakers create a documentary that tracks a local man’s final footsteps in the San Luis Valley.
Find us on facebook.com/COCountryLife
ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 23
[outdoors]
Finicky About Fly-Fishing Patterns
Old-fashioned creations favored for simplistic beauty BY DENNIS SMITH
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Yes, There’s an App to Help You Save Energy Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives offer an app that will help you save energy and money. Simply search for TogetherWe Save.com —Save Energy, Save Money in your smartphone app store and download this interactive app. You can sign up to receive a “tip of the day” that will remind you of ways to save energy and money around your home. You can also use the app to discover how much energy your appliances use and receive energy-related alerts from your local Touchstone Energy co-op.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 24 February 2014
By the time February rolls around I’ve pretty much had my fill of winter. I suspect I’m not alone in that regard. And while others might turn their thoughts to Valentine’s Day hearts, flowers and candies this month, I find myself thinking more about Colorado’s tumbling mountain creeks, pretty little brook trout and, of course, trout flies. I’ve always had a quiet affinity for old-fashioned wet flies: those simple, silken-wrapped, soft hackled creations and their versatile, fur-bodied cousins, An olive and the “flymphs” — so designated by their originators partridge softbecause they can be mistaken by trout for either an hackled flymph. adult mayfly or an emerging nymph, depending on Simple, elegant and effective. how the angler chooses to manipulate them in the currents. Some of these old wet fly patterns date back as far as the 1600s and the simplest of them are tied with but a single bird feather (hackle) spiraled around the hook. Others may wear simple silk or floss bodies, and still others are fully dressed with tails, spun fur bodies, duck quill wings and the requisite feather hackle. Despite their long and well-documented history, I’ve noticed that wet flies seem to be in a continual state of rediscovery by modern day anglers. Their popularity cycles in and out of favor with fly fishermen at about the same rate short hemlines do with French fashion designers, and likely for the same reasons: Both are in a perpetual search for the latest and greatest. Often, though, their endless quests for the next big thing in fly-fishing brings them right back to the old tried-and-true patterns that started it all. I learned to fly fish with wet flies when I was about 10 or 12 years old. I stuck with it mostly because wets didn’t require much in the way of fancy, expensive materials to tie, and, more importantly, I caught fish with them. I found dry flies and streamers complicated to tie and fish with so I didn’t develop an interest in either until years later. I’d heard about nymphs but assumed they were either weird little wood fairies with wings or pretty young women with overly aggressive romantic tendencies — neither of which was of much interest to trout or a 10-year-old boy. A lot of us who still fish with the old wet fly patterns today are attracted to them as much for their understated, elegantly simplistic beauty as for their historical significance. I also like that the majority of materials that go into a classic soft hackled wet fly are products of nature rather than the output of a plastics laboratory. Their hackles come from the mottled cape and shoulder feathers of game birds: Hungarian partridge, English grouse, bobwhite quail and such; tails from the delicately barred flanks of mallard and wood duck drakes; bodies from the luxuriously soft underfur of muskrat, beaver and hare’s poll. The imported English silk used on many wet fly patterns, though manufactured, has its roots in nature as well. All their poetic charm and history aside though, the best reason to cast old-fashioned wet flies remains that they still catch fish every bit as well today as they did hundreds of years ago, and that’s romantic enough for me.
Scan this page with Layar for a mono-loop knot tutorial
[energy tips]
EFFICIENT COOKING Replace ovens and ranges BY JAMES DULLEY
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What energy-efficient kitchen appliances are best for cooking with?
LIVElike someone
LEFT the GATE
OPEN
The most efficient electric range heating elements are induction units. These elements produce magnetic energy that warms magnetic pots and pans. They will not get hot unless there is a utensil on the element. Induction elements provide heating control almost as precise as gas burners. Induction elements offer an energy advantage: Nearly all of the energy goes into the pot or pan to heat food. With a regular resistance element, the heat transfers from the range top to the base of the pot. A lot of heat is lost to the air, never getting to the food. Since you do not always want to use magnetic cooking dishes, your range should have only one or two induction elements. The others should be standard resistance or halogen. Halogen elements heat up faster, but are not as efficient. Opt for different sizes and then match the size of the pot to the element size for less heat loss. A convection oven saves more energy than a standard oven. Even though the small air circulation fan uses some electricity in a convection oven, it cooks so much faster that there is significant overall savings. Not all foods roast and bake The pot should fit the heatwell in the con- ing element and it should be vection mode, covered when boiling water. so you will not be able to use it for everything. Choose a self-cleaning oven model because it often has heavier wall insulation needed for the super high cleaning temperature. For more information on ovens and ranges, visit coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Energy Tips.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 25
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 26 February 2014
WiseSaver
[marketplace]
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing just 15 bulbs in your home with more energy efficient LED versions can save an average of $50 off your energy bill annually, or up to $1,800 on your energy bill over the course of your LED bulb’s lifetime.
You Could Win a Sweet iPad mini! See page 2 for details on how to win the iPad mini Scan these pages to better connect with these advertisers. See page 2 for instructions. ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 27
[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
ANTIQUES
CARS/TRUCKS/BOATS
FOR SALE – 100+-year-old picture frame & other not-so-old valuables, 719-541-3740 (145-02-14)
50 SUBARUS! (1995-2014) Outbacks, Foresters, Imprezas, Tribecas & more! Great prices! Warranties available! Dealer: www. MonumentMotors.com 719-4819900 (574-08-14)
ANTIQUE RESTORATION ANTIQUE RESTORATION STUDIO – Antique conservation. Quality craftsmanship since 1974. Bayfield, CO, www.antiqueresdurango.com 970-884-1937. (988-06-14) CHAIR CANING, hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-547-0723. chaanita@q.com (858-10-14)
BOOKS
CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Clocks bought and sold. Call Robert 970-247-7729, bob.scott@ usa.net (109-02-14)
EDUCATION
Southern Colorado — sometimes charming … sometimes Not! DESPITE THIS WE STAY. New book by award-winning humor writer Carol Dunn. Amazon.com or $15.50, POB 1213, LaVeta, CO 81055 (151-04-14)
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS/ PARENTS: Looking for a different approach? Want something exceptional? Biblical perspective, wilderness adventure, college prep, close Christian community, housing provided. www.emhweb. org (035-04-14)
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
ENERGY
(These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.) IS YOUR INCOME hindering achieving your bucket list wishes? Take this survey. http://annamarie. IOwnMyLife.net/survey (147-04-14) 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 (932-02-14) PIANO TUNING PAYS. Learn with American School home-study course. Tools included. Call for info. 800-497-9793. (158-01-15)
CAN’T AFFORD A PELLET STOVE? Burn pellets in your potbelly stove, furnace, fireplace, even firepit or campfire. www.pelletlogkits.com or Doug, 970-724-1237. New pricing! (098-02-14)
EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES DR Power Equipment wants YOUR IDEAS! Earn $300 for qualified new ideas for property tools and equipment. Go to www.drpower. com/300 and submit your idea. (154-02-14)
FARM & RANCH SUPPLIES PET FOOD, GRAINS, GRASS/alfalfa hay, straw, shavings, bedding/stove pellets, & firewood. 719-495-4842. Ayer Ranch TCL, Inc., 12558 Meridian Road, Elbert/Black Forest, CO 80106 (146-04-14)
FOR SALE
MACHINERY & PARTS
TICKETS
GRASSFED YAK AND BISON MEAT for sale. Delicious and nutritious. Delivery available. Fourth, half, or whole. 720-256-3364 (029-03-14)
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 www.saw millexchange.com . (267-09-14)
NFR & PBR RODEO TICKETS – Las Vegas. All seating levels available. Call 1-888-NFR-rodeo (1-888-6377633) or www.NFR-Rodeo.com. *BBB Member; Since 1990. (912-11-14)
OLD, USED, PAWN SADDLES — Good, fine, & rough. Jim Blair, Blair’s Trading Post, PO Box 940, 626 N Navajo Dr., Page, AZ 86040. 928645-3008. (154-05-14) OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS — $380 with warranty. Also sell portable concentrators and oxygen supplies. Repair and service of equipment. Aspen Concentrator Repair Service 719-471-9895 (040-04-14)
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 (876-07-14)
HISTORIC WALDEN Rock House, 413 Lafever, Walden, CO. One day/ short stay. 970-723-4736 www. waldenrockhouse.com (138-02-14) KAUAI VACATION RENTAL, 2bdr, full kitchen. Minutes from beaches. $600/wk. 808-245-6500; makana crest.com; kauaiweddings.com. (756-05-14)
SNOW BLAST ROTARY SNOW PLOW. Powered by two Cummins diesel engines. 1965 model, $6,500. 719-868-2513 (139-02-14)
INCUBATORS, BROODERS, EGG WASHERS; buying/selling. Hatching chicks, waterfowl, gamebirds, rabbits. Catalog. 218-253-2291, SunnyCreekFarms.zxq.net (144-04-14)
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 (116-05-14)
FREE
QUILTS
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. (814-04-14)
AWARD WINNING LONG-ARM QUILTING Services - Karen Niemi, 303-470-9309, http://creative. stitching.home.comcast.net, creative.stitching@comcast.net (846-02-14)
WANTED TO BUY
HEALTH
COLORADO SPRINGS – 20 acres fenced, 3bd, 2ba, 2200sf, 30x30 metal barn, well water, 2.5 mi. from Hanover School. 17 mi. from Scheiver AFB. Ready to move in. Deb Henmann, 719-338-7092. (141-02-14)
I LOST 20 POUNDS and 25 points off my cholesterol in six months. Send five dollars, cash, check, money order, for information. D. Brown, PO Box 1154, Grand Junction, CO 81502. (140-03-14)
HELP WANTED $500 WEEKLY ASSEMBLING PRODUCTS FROM HOME. For free information, send SASE: Home Assembly – CC, Box 450, New Britain, CT 06050-0450.
HOBBIES & CRAFTS BOOKS, PATTERNS, CLASSES, knitting, felting, crocheting, weaving, spinning. www.tablerockllamas.com Colorado Springs, 866-495-7747 (791-05-14)
HORSES GREAT BOARDING, RIDING. Tack/ feed storage. 14723 LCR 32, Sterling, 970-520-6640, 970-520-6419. (125-02-14)
Call Kris at 303-902-7276 to place a classified ad. ColoradoCountryLife.coop 28 February 2014
POULTRY & GAMEBIRDS
VACATION RENTAL
REAL ESTATE
DEBEQUE, CO – 11400 CR 204, 35 acres with stream. Backs to BLM, amazing hunting, fishing. House is 1,008sf, two bedroom, two bath, cozy woodburning stove. $239,000. Troy Kyle 1-719-339-6999 troy. mandm@aol.com Blue Spruce Real Estate, LLC (152-02-14) OWN PROPERTY? NEED INCOME? We’ll rent exclusive hunting/fishing rights from you. Encourage young sportsmen by providing safe, private access. You make the rules. 303-460-0273 (069-04-14)
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 (44106-14)
NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@ hotmail.com (817-06-14) OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1975. Call Wes 303757-8553. (889-02-14) 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. (871-05-14) 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. (519-11-14) OLD POCKET WATCHES – working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209 watch doctor@hotmail.com. (870-06-15) VINTAGE FISHING TACKLE. I buy rods, reels, lures, creels, etc. Gary, 970-222-2181. (960-02-14) WANT TO PURCHASE minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. (402-03-14) WE PAY CASH for minerals and oil/ gas interests, producing and nonproducing. 800-733-8122 (099-02-14)
[funny stories] Colorado Country Life’s
YOUNG
Readers Angie Morlan of Peyton got this shot of her tractor-loving son reading a magazine from a few years ago.
Win a
$25
gift card
Send us your photos and maybe we will publish them!
Ramona Phipps of Sterling shared this photo of her daughter with the November 2013 issue of Colorado Country Life.
Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, “Why is the bride dressed in white?’’ The mother replied, “Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.” The child thought about this for a moment then asked, “So why is the groom wearing black?” Berene Epp, Lakewood
Nine-year-old Savanna who was visiting from Texas, asked if she could sleep in the same room with her greatgrandma. “Sure, honey,” Great Grandma said. “But I have to warn you that I sometimes snore.” “Oh, that’s OK,” Savanna said. “I can sleep through hell.” After a surprised gasp from great grandma, Savanna added, “Even on a metal roof.” It took a minute before great-grandma realized she was saying “hail.” Terry Wallace, Springfield
Seeing a bowl of conversation hearts that I put out for Valentine’s Day, my 5-year-old granddaughter asked if she could feed them to the dogs. “No, honey. They could choke on them,” I said. “Besides, you love conversation hearts. You ate the whole bowl last year.” “Well, Grammy,” she replied. “I was just looking for one that I liked.” Daviana Rowe, Greenwood Village
ent Renee Taylor of Monum Henry son of to pho a d snappe ks feareading one of the boo 2013 tured in the November e. issu iew rev k boo
Steven Schumacher of Peetz caught his son Kasen enthralled with the horse photos inside the January 2014 issue.
When Colorado Country Life asked for photos of readers with the magazine that could be featured on our Facebook page, the staff was delighted to get great photos of kids enjoying the magazine.
We’re looking for more photos of readers, young and old,
with the magazine wherever life takes them. Send them to info@coloradocountrylife.org. Make sure to include your name, address and phone number. We’ll draw one name on the last day of the month and award a $25 gift card.
Four-year-old Jocelyn was watching her mother trying to get her 2-year-old twin sisters dressed for an outing. As she watched her struggle with Jillian, Jocelyn said to her mother, “Mommy, I think it’s time to move Jillian to a new home. We don’t need her anymore.” Vivien Boyce, Howard We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. At the end of the year, we draw one name from those submitting jokes and that person will receive $150. Send your 2014 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. ColoradoCountryLife.coop February 2014 29
Heli Adrenaline Topper
E
Thrill RIDE
Snow tubing is an electrifying and inexpensive experience for people of all ages. When you want a little bloodpumping excitement, try one of these hot spots:
Photo by Telluride Helitrax
Envision soaring above tree-lined and snow-swept terrain, disembarking in the middle of it all with your skis or snowboard in tow and reveling in an extraordinary experience gliding through areas of Colorado seldom seen by others. Try “heli” skiing or snowboarding and that becomes reality. Silverton Mountain in Silverton and Telluride Helitrax in Telluride offer heli ski trips of several types, giving you options for your particular taste and budget. Find out more about Silverton Mountain by calling 970-387-5706 or visiting silverton mountain.com. Get Telluride Helitrax information by calling 877-500-8377 or visiting helitrax.com.
Photo by Copper Mountain
[discoveries]
Pumped Up About Fat Bikes
D Photo by Moots
Don’t let snow get in the way of your bike riding. Hop on a fat bike. Fat bikes are trending in the biking community and it’s no wonder why. With superwide wheels measuring up to more than 4 inches wide, these portly two-wheelers can get you through some of the most difficult terrain, including snow and sand. Give it a shot. The people at Moots manufacture these monsters by hand in Steamboat Springs. And while you can’t buy them directly from the office, there are plenty of places in Colorado to get your own. Visit moots.com/ dealer-locator to find a shop near you. Or take a trip to Telluride and go on a $99, half-day tour on a rented Salsa Muckluk fat bike. Call 800-592-6883 or visit bootdoctors.com to find out more and to schedule your tour.
Psyched for Snow Cat Skiing
S
Step away from the groomed trails, climb aboard a San Juan Untracked passenger snow cat and catch a ride into 35,000 acres of white powdery terrain in the San Juan backcountry. Durango-based SJU boasts rolling glades, wide open bowls, cliffs, chutes, gullies and trees — all the stuff skiers’ dreams are made of. Single seats cost $385 through March 14 and $285 from March 15 until close of season. For more information and to reserve your spot on a SJU snowcat, call 800-208-1780 or visit sanjuanuntracked.com.
More snow cat skiing options: Photo by Ben Gavelda
Ski Cooper Chicago Ridge, Leadville — 800-707-6614 • skicooper.com Monarch Cat Skiing, Monarch Mountain — 719-530-5105 • skimonarch.com Steamboat Powdercats, Steamboat Springs — 970-879-5188 • steamboatpowdercats.com Vail Powder Guides, Vail — 719-486-6266, vailsnowcat.com ColoradoCountryLife.coop 30 February 2014
Copper Mountain Resort, Copper Mountain Cost is $26-$30 per person, per hour; coppercolorado.com/winter/plan_ and_buy/tubing • 866-416-9874 Frisco Adventure Park, Frisco Cost is $20-$28 per person, per hour; townoffrisco.com/adventure-park/ winter/science-of-tubing/ 970-668-2558 Yee-Haw Hill at Saddleback Ranch, Steamboat Springs Cost is $26 per person for 1.5 hours; free for children under the age of 5 with paid adult; saddlebackranch.net/ tubing.htm • 970-879-3711 Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Grand Junction Two-hour sessions cost $12 for adults and $10 for children; powderhorn.com/ tubing-hill, 970-268-5700 x2100 Adventure Point, Keystone Mountain Cost is $31-$33 per person, per hour; keystoneresort.com/activitiesdetail/ Key+-+Tubing+at+Adventure+Point.axd 800-354-4386 Most locations require children to be 36 inches or taller. For more snow tubing suggestions, visit our website at coloradocountrylife.coop.