LETTERS

Renew the farm bill rough my work with early childhood centers around the Denver Metro Area, I see that families are working hard to keep up with rising food costs, and many children lack full access to nutritious food.In fact, one in six children are not getting adequate nutrition in Colorado.

We need to address hunger and malnutrition throughout the United States, and this year’s Farm Bill is a vital part of that. Set to expire in September 2023, the Farm Bill is legislation that authorizes federal food and agriculture programs in the U.S. and is essential in ensuring the well-being of millions of children in our country.

Nearly 20 million children depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) bene ts. Now more than ever, these bene ts are inadequate, leaving families sta has begun work on the 2024 City Budget. Some council members placed emphasis on “core value” services being the priority. I certainly hope that the proposed budget will include increased funding in the police department for enforcement centered around homeless people. Perhaps 15 or more years ago most people would say that homeless people issues fall under the county’s social services department. at is not the case today.

Homelessness is a regional problem which cries for “all hands on deck” to help reduce the magnitude of the problem (please note I did not say eliminate the problem as I don’t see that as plausible. Trying to build your way out of all homelessness is not achievable).

Christopher Fields to celebrate 21st birthday e city is planning a birthday party and everyone is invited, from what I hear.

Christopher Fields at City Park is celebrating its 21st birthday on August 16. I am told there will be lots of activities including soccer, ultimate Frisbee, adult softball, youth baseball and corn hole games. Mayor McNally will be giving a speech to top o the festivities.

SEE CHRISTOPHER, P47 struggling to put food on the table. Rural communities are signi cantly impacted, where pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and food shortages hit the hardest. is bill must pass not only to ensure that essential anti-hunger programs continue without disruption, but it also needs to be adjusted to re ect the increasing rates of hunger, rising food prices, and the long-lasting impact of the pandemic on food security. It should preserve and strengthen SNAP by increasing bene t levels, allowing food choices without restrictions, and allow enrollment by telephone. Access to adequate and nutritious food is essential for every child. As an advocate with Save the Children Action Network, I urge lawmakers to take swift action in crafting a Farm Bill that addresses today’s challenges and emphasizes childcentric provisions. Together, let’s raise our voices and advocate for a Farm Bill that prioritizes the wellbeing of our children.

Marissa Spencer,

Northglenn

earning about history is more fun when you experience it.

at’s why the metro area has a wide range of places to experience Colorado’s history rsthand. Museums, tourist attractions and more provide venues for adults and children to get hands-on learning about Colorado history from the Jurrasic age to the 1900s.

From dinosaurs to mining and railroad history to early home and school life — the metro area has plenty of locations where families can have fun and learn a bit in the process.

Living history museums enable visitors to experience the everyday home life of ordinary people who toiled on Colorado’s farms, ranches, factories, mines, smelters and more, according to Kevin Rucker, a senior lecturer in MSU Denver’s history department.

For example, “visitors are able to visualize and empathize with what it took for women to take care of a household and raise families,” he said.

Rucker pointed to the Four-Mile House, Golden Prospect Park, Littleton Heritage Museum, Black Western History Museum, Molly Brown House as a starting point for all of the living history locations in the area. Colorado Community Media takes a look at some of the places in the metro area that provide hands-on history.

Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?

Morrison is home to two spots where families can learn about dinosaurs — Dinosaur Ridge and the Morrison Natural History Museum.

logic and paleontological features. Visitors can check out the area themselves or with volunteers and geologists to learn about the dinosaurs that roamed the area. ere’s a museum and gift shop at C-470 and Alameda Parkway, and Dinosaur Ridge has Dinosaur Days throughout the year.

Close by is the Morrison Natural History Museum on Highway 8 just south of downtown Morrison, where families can learn more about dinosaurs. e museum is also a research center, so in addition to visiting the museum, people can take archeological trips.

Stegosaurus Day is always fun for kids as they try their hands at peeling away rocks to nd fossils.

Gold rush

Clear Creek County has several locations to learn more about Colorado’s mining history. At the Phoenix Gold Mine southwest of Idaho Springs, history comes alive as visitors go underground in a gold mine, pan for gold to try to strike it rich themselves and more.

Mine owner Dave Mosch, whose family has lived in Colorado since the 1860s, called the Phoenix Gold Mine fascinating for those who haven’t seen up close what mining was like, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He noted that the mining-support industry also brought people to Colorado — building houses, operating shops and providing personal aspects of life to miners.

“Colorado is a beautiful place, but what originally brought people here was the gold,” Mosch said. “ e more you understand mining, the more you understand the growth of our state.”

He and all of Clear Creek County are proud that the Colorado gold rush began in 1859 in the county.

Trains and more trains e founder of the Colorado Railroad Museum understood how big the railroads were to settling Colorado.

“Bob Richardson (the founder of the museum) realized that people needed to know how it all got started, how people traveled to Colorado and how hard it was,” Roni Kramer, director of education for the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, explained. “It is important to see every aspect of people’s beginnings and how they got here on the train. Honestly, it’s such an interesting story.”

While adults may be more interested in historical tidbits, children have the opportunity to check out all areas of di erent train cars. ey ring bells, move through

SEE HISTORY, P17

Dinosaur Ridge has interpretive signs along two miles of trails that explain the local geology, fossils, and many other geo- Halloween fun