Oh, SHELL NO
Texas Tragedy Sad Reminder of Big Thompson Flood
By Kent Singer Executive Director
The recent flash flood that resulted in the loss of more than 100 adults and children in the Texas Hill Country was a heartbreaking reminder of the power of Mother Nature and how lives can be lost and forever changed in an instant. There are no words to describe the anguish and sorrow of the many families impacted by this event.
The Texas tragedy hits home with many of us in Colorado who either lived through or have family or friends who lived through the flash flood that tore through the Big Thompson River Canyon nearly 50 years ago. While these two events occurred five decades apart, they are unfortunately similar in many ways.
During the evening hours of July 31, 1976, after nearly a foot of rain fell on the headwaters of the Big Thompson near Estes Park, a 20-foot wall of water roared down the canyon, sweeping away everything and everyone in its path. The flash flood that night took the lives of 144 adults and children; in a few cases, the victims were never found. In both the Texas flood and the Big Thompson Flood, the waters rose so fast and were so swift that there was little anyone could do to save the victims.
I was a teenager in Kansas at the time, but my sister Sandy was working as a horse wrangler at the Trails End Ranch for Girls (a unit of the Cheley Colorado Camps) near Glen Haven that night. The Cheley
camps are operated by the Cheley family and have been a place of joy and learning for kids from all over the country for over 100 years. Sandy loved working at the camp, making friends that have lasted a lifetime, and teaching girls how to ride and take care of horses.
Thankfully, the Cheley camps were (and still are) located at a higher elevation and far enough from the Big Thompson River, so the flash flood did not directly impact the campers and staff. However, in those days long before cellphone service, families across the country — including mine — waited impatiently to hear news from Colorado and to find out if their kids were all right. My sister tells frightening accounts of the tragedies and close calls that occurred that night, a night she will never forget.
I remember clearly that as soon as we heard from Sandy, my folks and I got in the family car and headed west from Topeka, Kansas, to pick her up and bring her back home. We always loved coming to Colorado, but in this case, we were just relieved to see Sandy and give her a big hug.
As much as I’m grateful that our family did not lose my sister in the Big Thompson Flood, it reminds me that many folks then and now were not so lucky. We should keep them all in our prayers.
Kent Singer is the executive director of CREA and offers a statewide perspective on issues affecting electric cooperatives. CREA is the trade association for 21 Colorado electric distribution co-ops and one power supply co-op.
We’re Here to Serve You
By David Churchwell General Manager
We’ve all heard the phrase, “We’re here to serve you,” countless times. These words may sound generic, but to us at your local electric cooperative, they mean everything.
K.C. Electric Association was created to serve our community. Back in the day, neighbors banded together and formed our co-op for the common good. In our case, it was the only way the community could bring electricity to the rural areas where there was none. In doing so, K.C. Electric helped the community thrive. That mission-focused heritage is the golden thread that is woven throughout our history.
your home or business uses energy can help determine the best ways to modify energy use and thereby keep more money in your wallet. If you’re considering a rooftop solar installation, we are happy to give you an unbiased view of the pros and cons. Investing in a solar power system is a major decision. It is important to fully understand the costs, responsibilities, and potential energy savings. Unlike a solar company that has one objective — to sell their products and services — we will look at the total energy picture and help you determine the best options for your home. We urge you to perform your due diligence and we’re here to help you through that process.
Today, we continue to power the community. While our focus has remained steady on providing reliable energy to our members, today’s energy landscape and consumer expectations are far different than they were decades ago. That’s why we adapt to keep pace with changing technology, evolving needs, and new expectations.
Serving as your trusted energy advisor means we want to help you save energy and money, and provide advice and information on a broad range of energy topics. For example, if you’re looking for ways to save energy, visit us online at kcelectric.coop for energysaving tips and ideas to increase the energy efficiency of your home or business. Consider calling our member services team to identify ways you can save energy at your home or business. Understanding how
Our mission is to provide our members with safe, reliable service at the lowest cost, while maintaining an environmentally responsible, accountable, and sustainable operation now and in the future.
In a similar vein, we recognize that many members are considering electric vehicle options. K.C. Electric can provide information about EV charging and electrical requirements so you can make informed decisions about EVs. We can provide a candid assessment of residential and business charging requirements for all types of EVs.
K.C. Electric offers generous rebates on a wide range of outdoor power equipment such as electric lawn and riding mowers, electric snow blowers, chainsaws, trimmers, leaf blowers, and more.
So, the next time you hear us at K.C. Electric say “We’re here to serve you,” we hope you know that we mean it. Service is deeply ingrained in who we are. As we evolve with the changing times, we’ll continue to develop additional ways to serve you and provide more options to help power your life.
K.C. Electric Staff
David Churchwell General Manager dchurchwell@kcelectric.coop
Bo Randolph Office Manager and CFO brandolph@kcelectric.coop
Phone 719-743-2431 Toll-free 800-700-3123 Web kcelectric.coop
Darren Fox Operations Manager dfox@kcelectric.coop
George Ehlers
Member Services Specialist and IT Manager gehlers@kcelectric.coop
Address 422 3rd Avenue Hugo, CO 80821
K.C. ELECTRIC MISSION
Teen Driver Safety
Parenting teens can be challenging. While some battles aren’t worth fighting, protecting your teen behind the wheel of a vehicle is.
And although no one wants to think about teens being in motor vehicle accidents, it does happen. Protecting your teen behind the wheel is crucial due to their inexperience, which makes them more susceptible to crashes. Car accidents are a leading cause of death for teens in the United States, with the highest risk in the first year of driving. Common hazards include additional passengers, speeding, drowsy driving, and using phones.
Typically, more than 3,000 people die each year in crashes involving distracted drivers, including teens. Teen drivers often lack the skills and experience needed to avoid fatal crashes, and distractions such as texting can be particularly dangerous. For example, reading a text at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. For this reason, Colorado has laws against texting, talking on the phone, and engaging in other distractions while driving.
There are three types of driving distractions to discuss with your teen:
• Visual, when you take your eyes off the road.
• Manual, when you take your hands off the wheel.
• Cognitive, when you take your mind off driving.
PREVENT DISTRACTED DRIVING
• Do not text while driving.
• Set your phone settings to block texts and keep your phone out of sight.
• Avoid eating while driving.
• Use playlists instead of searching for music.
• Set up navigation before driving or have a passenger navigate.
Teen drivers report pressure from families and friends to use phones while driving. Many drivers continue to use phones even when they are aware of the crash risk. Technology can help avoid cellphone use while driving. Use built-in features on your smartphone or cellphone blocking apps to prevent distractions. For the greatest safety benefit, change your phone settings to block calls and text messages while you're driving.
Visit SafeElectricity.org for more safety tips and consider downloading a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
4 SAFETY TIPS
TEEN DRIVERS NEED TO KNOW
1 THAT TEXT CAN WAIT
When texting while driving, the shortest amount of time a person takes his or her eyes o the road is ve seconds. At 55 mph, that is like driving the length of a football eld with your eyes closed.
2 don’t get out
If you are in a car accident involving a power line or padmount transformer (“green box”), stay inside the vehicle and call 9-1-1. Unless the car is on re or giving o smoke, do not get out. If there is a re, make a solid jump from the vehicle without touching it and hop with your feet together as far away as you can.
3 respect work zones Don’t Drive Distracted
One work zone crash occurs every 5.4 minutes. Remind teen drivers to consider anyone doing their job in or near the road as someone they know and love. Encourage them to move over and slow down for workers.
4
Texting is not the only form of distracted driving. Driving and doing anything else is multitasking. Eight deaths occur EVERY DAY due to drivers who drive distracted.
Learn more:
CLAIM YOUR SAVINGS
Each month, K.C. Electric members have a chance to claim a $20 credit on their next electric bill. All you must do is find your account number, call the Hugo office at 719-743-2431, and ask for your credit. The names and account numbers are listed below. How simple is that?
You must claim your credit during the month in which your name appears in the magazine (check the date on the front cover).
Ken Stroud, Hugo — 6411xxxxx
Hugh Scott, Flagler — 5341xxxxx
B J New, Flagler — 5135xxxxx
Victoria Mendoaz, Cheyenne Wells — 4310xxxxx
In June, three consumers called to claim their savings: Rod Thompson, Norbert Ohnmacht, and Stephen Notter.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH
Replace your home cooling system’s filter regularly to maintain strong airflow and boost energy efficiency. A clean filter means your system doesn't have to work as hard, saving energy and lowering your utility bills. Factors like allergies and pets in the home can impact how often filters should be replaced. Check the filter every month and replace it as needed. Changing filters regularly also reduces wear and tear on your cooling system, helping extend the life of the unit.
Source: energy.gov
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT POLICY UPDATE
K.C. Electric Association’s credit card payment option will change for certain members beginning with the October 1 bill.
Members with electric services classified as small commercial, large commercial, oil well pumping, large power, street lighting, wind, and irrigation will no longer be eligible to make payments by credit card. These members must use cash, checks, electronic checks, or bank drafts.
K.C. Electric will continue to accept credit card payments from the following rate classes:
• Town residential
• Rural residential
• Non-domestic These changes will help the co-op:
• Reduce the amount of credit card processing fees K.C. Electric pays
• Minimize financial risk and administrative costs
• Ensure more efficient use of K.C. Electric’s resources
• Maintain service integrity across our membership
If you have questions about how this policy affects your account or if you need assistance with alternative payment methods, contact K.C. Electric’s Hugo office at 719-743-2431 or the Stratton office at 719-348-5318.
Thank you for your understanding and for your continued membership with K.C. Electric.
Smart Home Tech
Three savvy ways to save energy
Smart technologies make our homes more comfortable, convenient, and energy efficient. By connecting to your home Wi-Fi network, smart devices automate everyday tasks like lighting, heating, cooling, and home security — they can even communicate with other smart devices in the home.
While not all smart home products are specifically designed with energy savings in mind, there are several smart technologies that can help you lower home energy use. Here are the top three smart home devices to help you save.
SMART THERMOSTATS
Smart or not, your thermostat is the most effective tool for controlling energy use — heating and cooling typically account for the largest portion of energy bills. Smart thermostats allow you to adjust the indoor temperature through an app, giving you full control from anywhere on the go. Many smart thermostats also include learning capabilities and will adjust the temperature based on previous behavior and patterns.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, smart thermostats can reduce heating and cooling bills by more than 8% annually. With models as low as $65, they typically pay for themselves in one year.
SMART LIGHTING
Smart LED bulbs use less electricity than traditional bulbs and can be scheduled and operated
remotely through a smart phone app. Smart bulbs are available in a range of shapes, brightness levels, colors, and more.
Many smart bulbs include motion sensors that turn on or off based on room activity, further optimizing home energy use. If you’re new to smart lighting, try a home starter kit. Prices for kits range from $70 to $300 or more, depending on how many bulbs you need.
SMART PLUGS
Smart plugs are inexpensive gadgets that can help you save energy. Many electronic devices consume power even when they are turned off — known as phantom load — which can take a toll on your energy bills. Smart plugs are simply plugged into an electrical outlet and connected to your Wi-Fi network. When set up, the smart plug can cut power to non-smart devices, like coffee makers, phone chargers, and other items that draw phantom load.
Many smart plugs can be paired with popular smart hubs, like Alexa or Google Nest, or controlled through the plug’s associated app. Smart plugs are simple to use and a set of four can be purchased for as little as $25.
If you’re looking for new ways to save energy, try these budget-friendly, convenient, smart home technologies.
New Beginnings
The waxy smell of a new box of crayons evokes memories of going back-to-school and the fresh start that August brings with it each year.
Back-to-school season isn’t just for students. It’s a reminder that life always presents opportunities for growth. Maybe this summer you’ve picked up bird watching, started a new craft, or downloaded a language learning app to your smartphone. Whatever it is, you are likely different from you were last year and have learned a few things along the way.
Some families are facing new routines and schedules this month. Others are approaching big transitions. Whether your little kid starts kindergarten, your big kid moves into the college dorm, or you sign up for a class or presentation at the local community center, I hope this month brings you opportunities to learn something new.
STAFF
Cassi Gloe, Publisher cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org
Kylee Coleman, Editor kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org
Melinda Taylor, Editorial Assistant mtaylor@coloradocountrylife.org
SUBSCRIBERS
Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Colorado Country Life. Cost of subscription for members of participating electric cooperatives is 30 cents per month, paid from equity accruing to the member. For nonmembers, a subscription is $15 per year in state/$20 out of state.
ADVERTISING
advertising@coloradocountrylife.org 720-407-0712
National advertising representative: American MainStreet Publications 611 S. Congress St., Suite 504 Austin, TX 78704 | 800-626-1181
Advertising Standards
Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216-1731. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. ©2025, Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights. View advertising and editorial policy terms and conditions online at coloradocountrylife.coop.
EDITORIAL
Denver Corporate Office 5400 Washington St. Denver, CO 80216
info@coloradocountrylife.org 303-455-4111
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.
By Kylee Coleman Editor
Planning Your Digital Afterlife
By Patricia Logan
Jill Concannon’s father was intelligent, funny, and quite clever, she later found out. She thought he had planned well for the inevitable — he had a will and a binder with passwords. When he died unexpectedly of a heart attack, she learned through tears and frustration that he wasn’t as organized as she thought.
“We had a lot of financial detective work to do. Plus email, his Facebook page, the online subscriptions — you have to figure out how to get into all of those,” Concannon said.
Her father didn’t want his binder of passwords to fall into the wrong hands so he randomly put asterisks in the usernames and passwords. It made sense to him, but not his family. When her mom didn’t know how to get into his computer or access their money, fear and stress were layered over tremendous sadness.
“There was so much to do. It took away from my ability to grieve. It was probably nine months before I really could breathe and do what I needed to do to take care of myself,” Concannon said.
She would have rather spent time supporting her mother, her family, and herself, rather than trying to crack the code of her father’s digital life. “We didn’t get to go through the process the way we needed to.”
A digital legacy includes everything online or in your computer, phone, and other devices. It is photos, bills, subscriptions, financial accounts, social media,
and more. The average person has more than 100 open accounts, according to Dylan Doyle-Burke, research director of the Digital Legacy Clinic at the University of Colorado.
To plan your digital legacy, Doyle-Burke suggests starting with a conversation with loved ones about what’s important to you and them. Ask if someone is willing to manage your digital legacy when you pass. It may be uncomfortable, but it eases pain later. “There is an emotional and logistical burden when those wishes aren’t known,” he said. “Even if the decision is, ‘I don’t care,’ just make the best decision.”
Take inventory of your digital life and put passwords in one place; you may want to consider using password management software. Keywords like memorialization, legacy contact, and digital legacy can help you research the subject yourself. If you want expert help, there are paid services online. Or contact CU’s Digital Legacy Clinic, which helps people for free with everything except financial accounts.
Concannon knows how valuable it is to plan ahead. “It’s a gift to give to your family.”
Patricia Logan is a Colorado writer and filmmaker who loves to learn and share stories about this precious Earth and its fascinating people and places.
Just Around the Corner Preparing for the hunting season
By Dennis Smith
It may be August to you, but it’s “getting ready month” for thousands of hunters in Colorado.
Early upland game and waterfowl seasons are scheduled to open in a few weeks, and some big game seasons open in a matter of days.
My neighbor has been whizzing arrows at a lifesize bull elk replica in his backyard all summer long, but his practice sessions have intensified considerably these last few weeks. The archery big game season opens this month and he wants to be ready. Apart from the stalking skills required to sneak within a few yards of a deer, elk, or pronghorn, bow hunters must be deadly accurate with their weapons if they hope to fill the freezer with venison steaks. Consequently, they practice shooting year-round, but in August, they get downright fanatical about it.
And bow hunters aren’t the only ones who start getting ready this month. Dove hunters anticipating the opener on September 1 start heading for trap or skeet ranges to sharpen their wing-shooting skills; many duck, grouse, and goose hunters do the same. Black powder enthusiasts and riflemen begin showing up at the shooting ranges to perfect loads, sight in rifles, or tweak scope settings.
Duck hunters usually start rummaging through their gear about now too. After all, the early teal season opens the first week in September with the other duck and goose seasons not far behind. There are decoys to spruce up, waders to patch, and duck calls to clean and tune. The old duck boat probably needs another coat of marsh-brown camo paint, too.
Hunters who own retrievers can be seen tossing decoy dummies for their dogs at nearby ponds in the evening hours. Some take their pooches for long walks to tune up their dogs’ retrieving skills and condition them for the upcoming game bird and waterfowl seasons.
Some of us are shopping for new scopes, binoculars, or hunting boots right now for seasons that open in October or later. Others are patching up tents, checking camping gear, making sure the heater is working in the RV, or clearing out space in the freezer for a new batch of venison.
It may be a while before your favorite hunting season actually opens, but time passes quickly, so the time to prepare begins now.
Dennis Smith is a freelance outdoors writer and photographer whose work appears nationally. He lives in Loveland.
Keep Colorado Wild
You venture, they volunteer
Explore every corner of Colorado’s state parks while giving back to search and rescue volunteers when you get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your vehicle registration.
cpw.info/KeepColoradoWildPass
Where Are They Now?
Catching up with electric co-op Youth Tour and NRECA Youth Council alumni
By Mary Peck
Of the countless opportunities, lessons, and experiences that form life’s journey, some stand out as especially impactful. The Washington D.C. Youth Tour is one of those events. It’s an unforgettable week often described by participants as life changing.
Now in college, two outstanding young leaders from Colorado continue to feel the influence of the experiences and skills they gained through their high school involvement in Youth Tour and national electric co-op youth programs.
Elizabeth Clement participated in Youth Tour in 2022 through Brighton-based United Power and was Colorado’s youth representative at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 2023 PowerXchange conference in Nashville. She graduated from Stargate Charter School in 2024 and is now in her sophomore year at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
“Youth Tour definitely helped me build my confidence as a leader,” Elizabeth said. “Knowing how a co-op works has been really powerful because it shows that a group of people together can make something that’s successful and give back, and it’s what I want to do with my entire life,” she said.
As a French horn player majoring in music business and recording arts, Elizabeth says her path continues to be affected by her co-op’s youth program experiences. She hopes to be an inspiration for others to follow a path of what they truly want to do in life, as she is doing with music. As a freshman at UNC, it didn’t take long for Elizabeth’s leadership skills to get noticed; she was often asked to join groups related to her major and beyond. She is a member of the university’s orchestra, wind ensemble, concert band, and wind quintet, and was also encouraged to get involved with UNC’s growing student government association. She’s considering running for an officer position in the future.
“I feel like there’s a pretty obvious connection between co-ops and the music world,” she said.
“I’m just one small portion of what makes the ensemble sound, but it takes all the musicians coming together to make the greater picture. It is literally what a co-op is — bringing everyone together to make something.”
Ethan McGuinness, a 2024 Durango High School graduate and already a junior at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, took part in Youth Tour in 2023 through La Plata Electric Association. He was also Colorado’s Youth Leadership Council representative at the 2024
Ethan McGuinness (far right) visits memorials and sites while on the Electric Cooperative Washington D.C. Youth Tour in 2024.
Youth Tour definitely helped me build my confidence as a leader. Knowing how a co-op works has been really powerful because it shows that a group of people together can make something that’s successful and give back.”
— Elizabeth Clement 2022 Youth Tour participant
NRECA PowerXchange in San Antonio. He says the experiences changed his life and set him on a path to study political science — something he hadn’t considered previously.
“Youth Tour really opened my eyes to the world of politics and the change that is needed throughout the world,” Ethan said. “I wanted to do what I could to try to make the world a little bit better of a place.”
During his first year at CSU, Ethan served as a Democracy Fellow through the Straayer Center for Public Service. In that role, Ethan organized and led a session titled “Code vs. Consequence, the Tech and Policy Debate on Social Media and Misinformation,” as part of the annual university-wide democracy summit last spring.
“A big lesson that I drew from my experience in Youth Tour is that democracy and politics is not a spectator sport. You need to be the change.”
This past June, Ethan again headed back to Washington, D.C., for Youth Tour, this time
A big lesson that I drew from my experience in Youth Tour is that democracy and politics is not a spectator sport. You need to be the change.”
—
Ethan
McGuinness 2023 Youth Tour participant
working as a “blue shirt” staff assistant. Elizabeth worked as the summer camp administrator at the Mile High Youth Theatre in Denver where she again found herself leveraging all she learned during her co-op youth program experiences.
Wherever their very bright futures take them, both Ethan and Elizabeth hope to stay connected to Colorado and involved with a local electric cooperative.
“It’s going to depend a lot on where work finds me, but I'm hoping to find a good place to settle and hopefully a co-op because I love my good electric co-op,” Elizabeth said.
“I love Colorado. I grew up in a rural community, and I think increasingly now in politics rural communities are underrepresented, and I’m going to do what I can to try and bring that voice back up for rural communities,” Ethan said.
Mary Peck is a freelance writer based in Northern Colorado and enjoys sharing stories of rural communities.
Elizabeth Clement (front) is now a sophomore at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, majoring in music business and recording arts.
Ethan McGuinness (left) is now a junior at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, studying political science. He served as a 2025 Youth Tour staff assistant.
Monthly Giveaway
August 9 is National Book Lovers Day. Plop down in your favorite cozy nook, prop your book on a treadmill, or hike to some trees and hang your perfect reading hammock.
This month, we are giving away a few books. Find New Reads from the Rockies
To enter, navigate to the Monthly Giveaway page on our website at coloradocountrylife.coop
Need a different way to enter our contests? Send a letter with your name, phone number, mailing address, and the name of your electric co-op to 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216.
Contest closes August 20.
Stay Safe on the Farm
Growing up on a farm helps children develop problem-solving skills, build close family bonds, gain respect for the food cycle, and cultivate a deep passion for the land. And working on a farm teaches responsibility and independence.
However, agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries for kids in the United States. More young people die working in agriculture than in all other industries combined, with a child lost to an agriculture-related incident approximately every three days. Many of these tragedies occur when kids take on tasks that aren’t suited to their age or abilities.
The impact of a farm injury or fatality extends beyond the individual, affecting families and entire communities. The emotional and mental toll can last a lifetime, underscoring the importance of making safety a priority for everyone.
By implementing safety strategies, farmers, ranchers, and families can reap the benefits of farm and ranch life while minimizing risks.
Injuries often occur when children are doing something beyond their mental, physical, or emotional abilities. Here are five essential tips to keep kids safe while working on the farm:
1. Keep kids off tractors. Tractors are involved in more than 40% of fatal farm accidents involving children under 15. Most kids are not tall or strong enough to operate tractors safely. Before they climb behind the tractor wheel, ensure a child meets safety guidelines for age, size, and maturity.
2. Supervise and restrict access. Young children should never be in work areas unsupervised. Fence off or lock hazardous areas including grain bins, animal pens, and equipment storage.
3. Assign age-appropriate tasks. Match chores to the child’s abilities and maturity. Teens are more likely to take risks, so clear guidelines and supervision are essential.
4. Create a safe environment. Remove hazards such as slippery or uneven surfaces, keep equipment keys out of reach, and avoid repetitive motion. Provide protective gear like gloves, nonslip shoes, and hearing protection.
5. Train and model safe behavior. Teach kids how to do tasks safely, practice together until they are proficient, and always demonstrate safe habits yourself. Kids learn by watching adults.
Safety starts with communication. Talk regularly with your kids about farm safety. Clearly explain which areas are off-limits, how to spot hazards, and why following rules is important. Frequent, open conversations help build safe habits and encourage kids to think before they act.
It is also important to conduct safety audits of your farm, ranch, and home together. Identifying and fixing hazards not only protects your children but also helps them learn how to prevent injuries.
Always keep an eye on children, especially around potential dangers. Remember, learning safe habits takes time and patience — be prepared to repeat instructions to encourage smart and safe work habits.
For more tips on assigning safe farm tasks to kids, check out the Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines at CultivateSafety.org/AYWG.
Farming is more than a job; it’s a way of life. Make safety a family priority and help ensure that future generations enjoy the rewards of farm life with fewer risks.
2026 PHOTO CONTEST
It’s time to share your best photos for the annual Colorado Country Life photo contest.
• Scenic Landscapes
• Animals
• Plants & Flowers
• People
Winning Tips
13 Winners | 13 Prizes
• $150 cover
• $150 first place
• $75 second place
• $50 third place
1. Use the highest resolution setting on your digital camera.
2. Capture scenes full of vivid color.
3. Make us feel something with your photo (awe, happiness).
Rules
• Enter up to two photos per category.
• Digital JPEG photos only.
• Photos must be at least 300 dpi at 8" x 10".
Read full rules and enter online at coloradocountrylife.coop/photo-contest-2026 Categories
• All vertical photos entered will be considered for the cover photo. If you have a photo you think will make a perfect cover of CCL, it must be at least 300 dpi at 9" wide x 13" tall.
• Winners will be announced and published in a spring 2026 issue.
• The contest is open for entries through Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Photos from previous photo contests. Photographers (top to bottom): David Dahms, Connie Chamberlain, Glenn Rivera, and Lynnae King
Keeping Colorado Corn Sweet
By Suzie Romig
At the annual Olathe Sweet Corn Festival each August in western Colorado, the fast-moving line for free ears of tender, roasted sweet corn continues for hours.
“I cannot wait right now,” said an enthusiastic Ruth Goodhart, looking forward to a warm ear of sweet corn handed out by a crew of volunteers.
“We’ve lived all over,” said attendee Mary Goodhart, “and Olathe sweet corn is still the best.”
The Goodharts were part of a group of four women dressed in green and gold attire in honor of the sweet corn festival that they have attended since they were young. The group looks forward to the hometown tradition that celebrates the agricultural heritage of Montrose County as a chance to spend time together.
The women squeezed liquid butter on their corn and joined hundreds of people eating ears of corn at Cerise Park in Montrose at the harvest celebration, which was started in 1990 by area corn growers. Eaters of all ages obviously enjoyed the white-and-yellow bicolor sweet corn
on the cob because ears were consumed fully to the folded-down husks.
Keeping the tradition going is a huge motivator for the volunteer committee that puts on the free summer festival with a lineup of events such as a morning 5K run, corn-eating contests, sweet corn princess pageant, car show, vendors, and outdoor music. After years of hosting the event in the small town of Olathe, population 2,000, the festival moved 11 miles to Montrose to the large park to spread out on the grassy lawns. Some 20 community sponsors, including Delta-Montrose Electric Association, help support the festival.
Festival volunteers in 2024 roasted about 8,400 ears of corn that rolled through huge, fiery roasters all day. The corn is donated by family-run Tuxedo Corn company that has more than 40 years of experience growing and shipping sweet corn under the trademark Olathe Sweet.
In August 2024, Tuxedo Corn company founder John Harold was keeping a watchful eye on the fields of corn grown by a dozen authorized landowners in and around Olathe. Wearing his signature denim overalls and driving
Photos by Suzie Romig
an all-electric Ford Lightning pickup, Harold said, “jump in,” and took a visitor around for a corn field tour.
John’s son David Harold joined the family business in the early 2000s and has helped the farm expand, improve soil health, and adopt sustainable practices. Son John William Harold grows corn, onions, and other crops at the family’s farming venture in Sonora, Mexico.
A key difference of the sweet corn that helps put Olathe on the map is the high sugar content that makes the corn softer, so it must be handpicked. Workers on agricultural visas are key to the annual harvest, John Harold explained.
Many Olathe sweet corn lovers follow the tradition of stopping by the Tuxedo Corn office along U.S. Highway 50 each August or September to buy a box of fresh corn. “If you want the best, you come to where it’s at; we’re kind of spoiled,” said Gordon Isley from Fruita, as he purchased two boxes of corn, a 28-year tradition for his family.
Other corn lovers hailing from New Mexico and Utah — and everywhere in between — pulled into the Tuxedo Corn lot to buy iced-down cases directly from the farming enterprise.
Although Tuxedo with its trademarked Olathe Sweet is not the only farming operation that grows sweet corn in the Uncompahgre Valley, Harold reigns as the community’s longtime sweet corn expert.
“John has a better handle on when to harvest,” said Eric Westesen, operations manager at Tuxedo, who said the secret is to harvest just a little early. “Forget about the color; it’s all about the sweetness, flavor, and texture.”
The marketing buzz for sweet corn grown in the microclimate touts the warm days and cool nights. An older “exclusively at Kroger” poster hanging in Harold’s office features a giant close-up of an ear of corn and reads “Mountain grown and hand-picked, irrigated by melted snow, full kernels to the end.”
Harold said a key to the prized taste is to keep the corn on the cob near 34 degrees and to try to
At left, four women dressed in green and gold attire celebrate the sweet corn festival that they have attended since they were young.
John Harold takes the corn’s temperature. He says a key to the prized taste is to keep the corn on the cob near 34 degrees and to try to get the ears in the hands of consumers within 48 hours from picking in the field.
“This is a really bad bug,” Schreiner said. “In order to protect corn against this pest, it requires very intensive management.” Schreiner complimented the cooperative efforts of three big corn growing companies — Tuxedo, Mountain Quality Farms, and Mountain Fresh — that are working with CSU Extension, researchers, and scientists in a collaborative project to fight the worms. The group has researched, networked, called in national and international experts, and experimented with options.
get the ears in the hands of consumers within 48 hours from picking in the field.
Sweet corn farmers in Montrose and Delta counties have faced a significant struggle during the past two growing seasons fighting an increase in corn earworms. The worms are also known as cotton bollworms and tomato fruitworms.
“We battle this pest every year,” said Colorado State University Extension Entomologist Melissa Schreiner. “Worldwide it’s one of the top pests for vegetable production.”
Female corn earworm moths prefer to lay eggs on fresh corn silks. The eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the silks continuing into the top of the corn ear.
Western Slope saleable sweet corn yields have been reduced by approximately one-third for two seasons because the earworms sully the look of the product. Growers say today’s grocery consumers choose the most perfect-looking food options and are not fans of any brown kernels caused by the bugs. Experts say the corn is still safe to eat, but the cosmetic damage does not meet grocery store buyer and consumer expectations.
CSU Extension experts say the corn earworm population flare-up in 2023 was unprecedented. Schreiner said farmers were caught off guard because the pests arrived sooner than usual. Traditionally, farmers have sprayed for the bugs when the corn silks, but the bugs have been arriving even before the tassels push out of the corn ears. Plus, Schreiner believes the hungry pests have developed a level of insensitivity to the insecticide chemicals traditionally used.
The farmers are trying to adapt to maintain quality and sales by spending more man hours in the fields, scouting for signs of earworm eggs early in the growing season, pushing insecticide spraying earlier, and boosting beneficial insects such as ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and lacewings that prey on the earworms.
Some farmers are experimenting with more targeted chemical spraying using drones during the cooler nights when beneficial bugs are not active, instead of spraying from crop dusting planes during sunny days.
Wayne Brew, who has 20 years of experience growing Olathe sweet corn, noted farmers have “a very short window to deter that worm from getting into the husk.”
“We put a lot of time and money and expense into trying to figure this out,” Brew said.
Scientists and growers are hopeful that continued research and newer techniques will keep the tender sweet corn prospering in western Colorado.
Earworms affect vegetable production worldwide. Getty image
Tuxedo Corn ices the handpicked corn immediately to keep it fresh for transport.
Photo courtesy of Tuxedo Corn
Although many more acres of the taller field corn are grown across the state, the financial return per acre when the sweet corn is not plagued by pests is higher and produces a faithful consumer following.
“Olathe sweet corn is very important to our local economy, just as Palisade peaches are important,” noted Jenny Beiermann, CSU Extension agriculture and business management specialist. “Branded, quality products are associated with a high perceived value that consumers are more willing to pay for at the farm stand or the grocery store. There are many social benefits realized by consumers who know they are supporting local growers.”
According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, Colorado farmers in 2022 planted 1,027,578 acres of field corn for grain and 3,285 acres of sweet corn. CSU Extension reports that Colorado growers can produce some 133 million pounds of sweet corn during healthy years, although Washington, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are the top three sweet corn producing states.
Colorado sweet corn consumers and Olathe Sweet Corn Festival attendees are counting on the Western Slope farmers’ success in the evolving battle against corn earworms. “This is an important crop to Colorado, and there is a real strong fight here,” Schreiner said. “Folks are resilient and putting their nose to the grindstone. It’s looking like we have some new tools, but we have a lot to learn. Figuring out the balance is a delicate art.”
Suzie Romig is a degreed, award-winning journalist who lives near Steamboat Springs and has lived, worked, and explored in Colorado since 1990.
2025 OLATHE SWEET CORN FESTIVAL
This year’s Olathe Sweet Corn Festival is scheduled for August 23. Find more information at olathesweetcornfest.com
Photo by Suzie Romig
Olathe sweet corn is very important to our local economy, just as Palisade peaches are important.”
— Jenny Beiermann, CSU Extension agriculture and business management specialist
A family enjoys just a few of the 8,400 ears of corn that festival volunteers roasted last year. The corn is donated by family-run Tuxedo Corn company.
Eat Heart-Smart for Less
Rising food costs can make healthy eating a challenge for many people. A recent poll conducted by Research!America found about 60% of people in the United States cite the cost of healthy food as their single biggest barrier to achieving better nutrition.
“As grocery prices rise, finding creative ways to stretch your budget while maintaining a nutritious diet is key,” registered dietitian Arlen Vanessa Marin said. “Simple swaps can make a big difference.”
Consider these simple tips from the experts at the American Heart Association to help you enjoy your favorite meals while keeping both your heart and wallet happy.
PROTEIN WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG
If you’re looking to add more protein without overspending, incorporate these affordable, nutrientpacked options:
• Beans and other legumes. Canned, no-salt-added varieties can be a quick and healthy option.
• Tofu and tempeh. Search online for recipes that use these plant-based proteins.
• Ground turkey or chicken. These lean meats typically cost less than ground beef.
CANNED, DRIED, AND FROZEN ALTERNATIVES
Healthy eating doesn’t mean you have to buy everything fresh, especially when fresh food isn’t readily available. Canned, dried, and frozen foods can be just as nutritious. Check nutrition labels for lowsodium, no-salt-added, and no-sugar-added options.
• Frozen fruits and vegetables are picked at peak ripeness and frozen to lock in nutrients. Use them in stir-fries, soups, smoothies, or as quick side dishes.
• Canned tuna is wallet friendly, packed with healthy fats, and is easy to mix with salads, sandwiches, or in brown rice bowls.
Source: American Heart Association. Visit recipes.heart.org. to find more tips and budget-friendly recipes.
Holiday Gift Guide
Showcase your brand in the Colorado Country Life Holiday Gift Guide to reach over 175,000 mailboxes and 690,000 readers!
The Colorado Country Life Holiday Gift Guide appears in the November and December issues Just send us a photo of your product, your company name, contact information, and a 25-word product description We do the rest!
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Issues: November and December 2025
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STILTZ HOMELIFTS COME TO DENVER
Stiltz Denver
THE MODERN SOLUTION
A Stiltz Homelift is a safe, attractive, & affordable alternative to stairlifts. It requires no special machine room, and no supporting walls.
ECONOMICAL & FLEXIBLE
A Stiltz Homelift can fit just about anywhere in your house. It has a compact footprint, similar in size to a small armchair. A Stiltz Homelift plugs into a standard home electrical outlet, using less power than a coffee maker.
YOUR FOREVER HOME
Avoid the expense and distress of relocating, or the disruption of adapting
your home for downstairs living. A Stiltz Homelift helps you live safely and independently in the home you love.
IT’S NEVER TOO SOON
Some Stiltz customers need a Homelift immediately. But others want to “future-proof” their homes for when the stairs become a challenge.
HOMELIFT SPECIALISTS
Stiltz is a world leading Homelift manufacturer, so you’ll be in good hands. Your elevator will be installed and maintained by Stiltz trained professionals who truly care about your freedom.
Our Stiltz Inc owned operation will cover the entire state of Colorado. Join the tens of thousands of Americans who have installed a Stiltz Homelift since 2011 so they can stay put.
“I can’t imagine what we’d do without it. I wish we had installed our Stiltz Homelift several years ago!” –Mr. James, Lakewood, Colorado
Affordable
Small Footprint
Full Safety Features
Clean, Quiet Operation
Low Power Consumption
Freestanding Design
Wheelchair Accessible
Carry Laundry or Pets
Fast Installation
Full Warranty
Cool Savings
Refrigerator and freezer efficiency tips
By Miranda Boutelle
Q: How can I improve the efficiency of my refrigerator and freezer?
A: When exploring ways to be more efficient with refrigerators and freezers, we often find ourselves stuck between two choices: convenience and conserving energy. While you can upgrade to newer equipment, maintenance and habits can also add up to energy savings.
This month, I offer guidance about appliance energy use, including tips to keep your current equipment running efficiently and ways to limit overuse of refrigeration in our homes.
The U.S. Department of Energy helps us understand what to look for in our existing equipment and new appliances. In general, the larger the refrigerator, the more energy it uses. The most efficient models are typically 16 to 20 cubic feet. Models with the freezer on top tend to use less energy than bottom freezers or side-by-side units. A refrigerator 15 years or older uses about 35% more energy than an ENERGY STAR®certified model.
The way you use your refrigerator matters, too. Here are some things to consider.
Keep it organized. One of the biggest issues with refrigerator energy use is opening the door or keeping it open. An organized fridge makes food items easier
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your refrigerator temperature between 35 and 38 degrees, and the freezer at 0 degrees.
to find, minimizing open-door time. Place items in the same spots so they are easier and faster to find. I tell my kids to take a quick look inside at the options and close the door while they are deciding what to eat.
Keep it clean. Regularly cleaning the gasket — the flexible strip around the perimeter of the fridge door — ensures a tight seal between the door and the unit to keep cold air inside. If the gasket is not sealing tightly, it should be replaced. Removing and cleaning the vent at the bottom of the unit can help airflow. For the coils at the back, use an extended cleaning brush instead of moving the fridge and risking injury.
If you have a second refrigerator or freezer, there are ways to optimize its efficiency.
Do you need it plugged in year-round? Perhaps you can keep it empty and unplugged for part of the year. Maybe you only really need it during the holiday season. Unplugging it for the months you aren’t using it will save energy, and you’ll still have it as a backup when you need it.
If possible, consider the location. Keeping the second fridge or freezer in a cool basement versus a hot garage requires less energy.
Incorporating these simple cleaning tips and food storage habits are easy ways to be more efficient with your in-home refrigeration.
Miranda Boutelle is the chief operating officer at Efficiency Services Group, a cooperatively owned energy efficiency company. She has more than 20 years of experience helping people save energy at home.
Will This Strange Antarctic Squid Solve America’s Memory Crisis?
New Deep Sea Discovery Proven to Be The #1 Natural Enhancer of Memory and Focus
Half a mile beneath the icy waters off the coast of Argentina lives one of the most remarkable creatures in the world.
Fully grown, they’re less than 2 feet long and weigh under 10 pounds…
But despite their small size, this strange little squid can have a bigger positive impact on your brain health than any other species on the planet.
They are the single richest source of a vital “brain food” that 250 million Americans are starving for, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.
It’s a safe, natural compound called DHA – one of the building blocks of your brain. It helps children grow their brains significantly bigger during development. And in adults, it protects brain cells from dying as they get older.
Because DHA is so important, lacking enough of it is not only dangerous to your overall health but could be directly related to your brain shrinking with age.
With more than 16 million Americans suffering from ageassociated cognitive impairment, it’s clear to a top US doctor that’s where the problem lies.
Regenerative medicine specialist Dr. Al Sears, says thankfully, “there’s still hope for seniors. Getting more of this vital brain food can make a life changing difference for your mental clarity, focus, and memory.”
Dr. Sears, a highly-acclaimed, board-certified doctor— who has published more than 500 studies and written 4 bestselling books — says we should be able to get enough DHA in our diets… but we don’t anymore.
“For thousands of years, fish were a great natural source of DHA. But due to industrial fish farming practices, the fish we eat and the fish oils you see at the store are no longer as nutrientdense as they once were,” he explains.
DHA is backed by hundreds of studies for supporting razor sharp focus, extraordinary mental clarity, and a lightning quick memory… especially in seniors.
So, if you’re struggling with focus, mental clarity, or memory as you get older…
Dr. Sears recommends a different approach.
THE SECRET TO A LASTING MEMORY
Research has shown that our paleo ancestors were able to grow bigger and smarter brains by eating foods rich in one ingredient — DHA.
“Our hippocampus thrives off DHA and grows because of it,” explains Dr. Sears. “Without DHA, our brains would shrink, and our memories would quickly fade.”
A groundbreaking study from the University of Alberta confirmed this. Animals given a diet rich in DHA saw a 29% boost in their hippocampus — the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. As a result, these animals became smarter.
Another study on more than 1,500 seniors found that those whose brains were deficient in DHA had significantly smaller brains — a characteristic of accelerated aging and weakened memory.
PEOPLE’S BRAINS ARE SHRINKING AND THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW IT
Dr. Sears uncovered that sometime during the 1990s, fish farmers stopped giving their animals a natural, DHA-rich diet and began feeding them a diet that was 70% vegetarian.
“It became expensive for farmers to feed fish what they’d eat in the wild,” explains Dr. Sears. “But in order to produce DHA, fish need to eat a natural, marine diet, like the one they’d eat in the wild.”
“Since fish farmers are depriving these animals of their natural diet, DHA is almost nonexistent in the oils they produce.”
“And since more than 80% of fish oil comes from farms, it’s no wonder the country is experiencing a memory crisis. Most people’s brains are shrinking and they don’t even know it.”
So, what can people do to improve their memory and brain function in the most effective way possible?
MEMORY-RESTORING SENSATION: The memory-saving oil in this Antarctic squid restores decades of lost brain power starting in just 24 hours.
Dr. Sears says, “Find a quality DHA supplement that doesn’t come from a farmed source. That will protect your brain cells and the functions they serve well into old age.”
Dr. Sears and his team worked tirelessly for over 2 years developing a unique brainboosting formula called Omega Rejuvenol
It’s made from the most powerful source of DHA in the ocean, squid and krill — two species that cannot be farmed.
According to Dr. Sears, these are the purest and most potent sources of DHA in the world, because they haven’t been tampered with. “Omega Rejuvenol is sourced from the most sustainable fishery in Antarctica. You won’t find this oil in any stores.”
MORE IMPRESSIVE RESULTS
Already, the formula has sold more than 850,000 bottles. And for a good reason, too. Satisfied customers can’t stop raving about the memory-boosting benefits of quality-sourced DHA oil.
“The first time I took it, I was amazed. The brain fog I struggled with for years was gone within 24 hours. The next day, I woke up with the energy and mental clarity of a new man,” says Owen R.
“I remember what it was like before I started taking Omega Rejuvenol… the lack of focus… the dull moods… the slippery memory… but now my mind is as clear as it’s ever been,” says Estelle H.
“My mood and focus are at an all-time high. I’ve always had trouble concentrating, and now I think I know why,” raves Bernice J.“The difference that Omega Rejuvenol makes couldn’t be more noticeable.”
And 70-year-old Mark K. says, “My focus and memory are back to age-30 levels.”
These are just a handful of the thousands of reviews Dr. Sears regularly receives thanks to his breakthrough memory formula, Omega Rejuvenol. WHERE TO FIND OMEGA REJUVENOL
To secure bottles of this brainbooster, buyers should contact the Sears Health Hotline at 1-888-358-8065. “It takes time to manufacture these bottles,” says Dr. Sears. “The Hotline allows us to ship the product directly to customers who need it most.”
Dr. Sears feels so strongly about this product, he is offering a 100%, money-back guarantee on every order. “Send back any used or unused bottles within 90 days and I’ll rush you a refund,” says Dr. Sears.
The Hotline is taking orders for the next 48 hours. After that, the phone number may be shut down to allow for inventory restocking. Call 1-888-358-8065 to secure your limited supply of Omega Rejuvenol. Readers of this publication immediately qualify for a steep discount, but supplies are limited. To take advantage of this great offer use Promo Code CCLOM825 when you call.
Summer’s Ripest Reward
Make a tasty treat with Palisade peaches
Recipe and photos courtesy of Lee Clayton Roper
This recipe from Colorado blogger Lee Clayton Roper is the very best when made with Palisade peaches from Colorado’s Western Slope. Each muffin is bursting with peaches in a brown sugar-sour cream base topped with cinnamon sugar.
Visit Lee’s blog, A Well-Seasoned Kitchen, at seasonedkitchen.com/peach-muffins for variation ideas.
PEACH MUFFINS Makes 18
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp granulated sugar
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
1 ½ cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
⅔ cup vegetable or other neutral oil
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp table salt
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups peeled, pitted, and chopped fresh peaches (around 2 large)
½ cup chopped toasted pecans or almonds (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a muffin tin with paper baking cups.
In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, oil, and egg. Make sure the sugar doesn’t stay in clumps.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, baking soda, vanilla, and salt. Stir the sour cream mixture into the sugar mixture until well blended. Using a large spoon, mash any sugar lumps against the side of the bowl to aid in mixing. Stir in the flour just until incorporated — do not overmix. Fold in peaches and nuts.
With a large spring-loaded ice cream scoop, place one scoop of batter into each muffin cup. They will be very full. Sprinkle tops lightly with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Fill any empty muffin cups halfway with water so the pan doesn’t burn.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let sit for a few minutes in the pan and then remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Best served warm or at room temperature. Make ahead: Muffins can be baked, cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to four days. Rewarm before eating. They can also be placed in an airtight container and frozen for up to two months.
PALISADE PEACHES
It’s Palisade peach season! Why are these Western Slope favorites so delicious? They grow in a unique microclimate that has a combination of hot days and cool nights. Find them at roadside farm stands around Colorado or in your local grocery store. Peaches are ready to eat when they emit a sweet aroma and have a little give to the flesh when you press gently with your fingers. If you bring some home before they are ripe, simply place them out of direct sunlight on your kitchen counter for a day or two.
LEE’S TIPS TO MAKE MOIST MUFFINS
• Fill empty muffin cups halfway with water. This step adds moisture to the oven and also keeps the empty cups from burning.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the muffins dry.
Don’t overcook. This will also make the muffins dry. Given that oven temperatures can vary, start checking them 5 to 7 minutes before the recipe indicates they will be done.
• Use paper muffin liners. While you can grease the muffin tin, using paper liners helps keep the moisture in the muffins while they bake.
• Don’t leave cooked muffins in tins for too long. Once you remove cooked muffins from the oven, let them sit for just a few minutes and then remove them to a wire rack to cool.
Small-Town Bliss
Visit Colorado’s quiet gem
By Melinda Taylor Editorial Assistant
Meeker, situated in White River Electric Association’s service territory, is a peaceful and secluded ranching community on the north side of the White River. The Ute people inhabited the area before Meeker became the first incorporated town in northwestern Colorado in 1885. It remained the only town in the area until 1900.
SPECIAL EVENT
38th Annual Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials. Don’t miss this five-day sheep herding event September 3-7. This event tests sheepdogs’ abilities to manage sheep in a calm way. Leave your own dogs at home for this event. For more information, visit meekersheepdog.com
STAY THE NIGHT
The Meeker Hotel built in 1896 is a well-preserved, no-frills historic building with 14 rooms and a cafe that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Rumor has it the hotel is haunted by several friendly ghosts. An early guest of the hotel was avid hunter, Teddy Roosevelt, who later became president. The walls of the lobby are covered in big game mounts and biographies and photos of local historic figures. Book your stay at meekerhotel.com
STEP BACK IN TIME
The White River Museum is housed inside original living quarters built in 1880 for U.S. Army officers. It holds pioneer artifacts from the 1880s and other donated collections from local residents. The museum is free and open to the public every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Visit historymeeker.com for more information.
THE BEAR SCAT BOOGIE
By William Lee, Clifton Grand Valley Power member
I went out hiking with a friend one day in the Rocky Mountains in early May
I noticed as we walked along some bear scat and it sure smelled strong as we rounded a bend and looked ahead there was a sight that everyone dreads a mother bear and her young just lying there enjoying the sun
I grabbed the bundle from off my back put on my running shoes shiny and black my friend watched then said to me you can’t outrun the bear let’s go climb a tree
I looked at him and said these words so true I don’t have to outrun the bears
I only have to outrun you
COLORADO CAMPING
By Daniel Swanson, Calhan Mountain View Electric Association member
The fire rages, throwing spark, dancing figures toe their mark; eyes that watch us from the trees, footsteps, footsteps in the dark.
The tent so thin, night presses close, the rocky ground, sharp things impose; shuffles, scraping, drawing near, the air turns cold, my digits froze.
NATURE'S BEAUTY
Where has sleep gone I lay awake, while buzzing sounds the creatures make, echo eternal thru the night, summoning forth the dawn to break. Then silence from the restless beasts, the heavens kindle in the east, the canopy of stars now fades, the cosmic rays of dawn released.
By Mychaela Bowin, Elbert Mountain View Electric Association member
In the hush of dawn’s embrace, Nature’s beauty unfurls with grace. A symphony of colors, a tapestry so grand, Whispers of wind, caressing the land.
The sun-kissed meadows, towering trees, Each leaf and petal dancing in the breeze.
Mountains reaching for the sky so high, Reflecting the beauty of nature’s sigh.
Rivers flowing, a melody so sweet, Nature’s rhythm, a heartbeat complete. In every corner, a marvel to behold, A story of wonder, forever to be told.
And now the creatures of the light, their morning melody recite, healing and fresh, the morning breeze, arise to greet nature’s delight!
’Tis perfect, crisp, and clean this air, the mountain view beyond compare; this Colorado camping, see, such beauty, beauty everywhere.
In nature’s beauty a timeless art, A masterpiece that stirs a heart. A reminder of the magic that’s all around, In every sight and every sound.
Photo by Michael Paulick, a Grand Valley Power member
Photo by Shane Morrison, a Mountain View Electric Association member
Photo by Brandy Leggett, a Mountain View Electric Association member
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
1. Little jerks
5. Head downtown?
10. Help in a holdup
14. Balming target
15. Beyond partner
16. Screenplay direction
17. T-bone region
18. Medical research goals
19. Every family has one
20. Illuminated
23. Holiday follower?
24. Skier’s challenge
25. Unlike a litterbug
27. Palindromic windmill part
30. End of two state names
33. Scratch, say
36. Better copy?
38. Bahrain bread
39. Passed with ease
41. Genetic info carrier
42. Arboreal abode
43. Things to rattle
45. Fishtail, e.g.
47. Daydreamer’s limit?
48. Fit to be fare
50. Killed, as a dragon
53. Tux accessory
54. Prepare for hanging
57. Wrestling area
59. Serving as a diplomat
64. Beer selections
66. Hindu grouping
67. Tat-tat intro
68. Folk facts
69. Pagoda roofing
70. Black cat, some think
71. It may come before “we forget”
72. Failed as a sentry
73. Bird’s perch, perhaps
DOWN
1. Chaucer bit
2. They may be clicked on
3. Flu symptom
4. Grad-to-be
5. Bushwhacker’s tool
6. Go to the edge of
7. The good olde days
8. Cooking place
9. Transmit anew
10. Back on a battleship
11. Crooners, often
12. Creation location
13. “High School Musical” extra
21. Main mail drop (abbr.)
22. Disconnected, as a phone line
26. Like siblings
28. Chances in Vegas
29. Roller Derby milieus
31. Checklist item
32. Pretentiously stylish
33. Attack deterrent
34. Military sch.
35. Enrolls
37. Barbary ape’s lack
40. The red
44. Inner city concern
46. Most absurd
49. Official orders
51. Emotion of the miffed
52. Long and thin
55. Sight from Biscayne Bay
56. Gourmand
57. Shoppers’ site
58. Ubiquitous lily relative
60. Place for some polish
61. “Cast Away” setting
62. Manual component
63. A driver may change one
65. Firm or fixed
© Lovatts Puzzles Answers on page 34.
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A Light in the Dark
SHARE YOUR STORY
Who makes your world brighter?
As we think ahead to the season of shorter days and twinkling lights, we’d like to make space to appreciate the people who bring light into our lives.
Has someone helped you through a hard time by saying a kind word, sharing a warm meal, or just by being there? Maybe it was a friend who made you laugh when you needed it most, a neighbor who stepped in when you were struggling, or a stranger whose simple act of kindness stuck with you.
We’d love to hear your story for our December 2025 issue. Keep it short and heartfelt — we’re looking for the everyday stories that remind us how powerful a little light can be. Content may be edited for space and clarity.
• Deadline: September 20
• Word count: 200–300 words
• Share your story by
• Email: editor@coloradocountrylife.org
• Online: coloradocountrylife.coop/light-in-the-dark
• USPS: Colorado Country Life, Attn: Editor, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216
Let’s shine a little light together.
from the Rockies New Reads
By Kylee Coleman Editor
These Colorado authors are writing books that thrill, inspire, present new perspectives, and spark curiosity.
Find your next new read here and celebrate National Book Lovers Day on August 9. Turn to page 16 to find out how you can win one of these books in our monthly giveaway.
Are you an author? Send a short synopsis of your book to me at kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org
Happy reading!
Summaries presented here are not reviews or endorsements by CCL.
A TIME OF YOUR CHOOSING
By Gordon MacKinney
A few decades from now, California allows anyone 81 or older to legally end their life, a.k.a. “cross the bridge” — using the words of the religious movement, the Bridgers. Business is brisk for Ketch Immer and his father, purveyors of state-of-the-art crossing services.
When a renowned academic “proves” life after death, the Bridgers sue for change. The movement’s figurehead, the veiled Jane Go, argues that adults of any age deserve the right to choose. The world watches on broadcast TV as introverted Ketch gets dragged into a cultural crucible.
A Time of Your Choosing by Northern Colorado author Gordon MacKinney explores how a “scientific” breakthrough upends society’s current understanding of the end of life.
NIGHT RULES
By Keith J. Weber
Colorado author Keith J. Weber’s debut novel Night Rules follows former Marine Sean Wynn as he travels to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and witnesses two men stalking a young woman at a remote Wyoming rest area. Although he’d prefer to mind his own business, the last time Wynn ignored something that didn’t look right, his wife wound up dead.
Refusing to let it happen again, Wynn infiltrates the shadowy fringes of bike culture. Ambushed, assaulted, and unsure of who to trust, Wynn battles bikers, traffickers, and even the cops, as he tries to do for a stranger what he failed to do for his wife: save her.
HEARTFELT
By Dulce Bell-Bulley
Haunted by guilt and crushed by grief, Daphne has lost everything — her husband and her future. In her grief and despair, Daphne finds unexpected friendships that guide her to an animal sanctuary on the wind-swept Colorado plains. There, among creatures as broken as herself, Daphne begins the delicate journey of healing. Heartfelt by Montrose-based author Dulce Bell-Bulley is both a heartbreaker and a heart healer.
WES AND ADDIE HAD THEIR CHANCE
By Bethany Turner
When her life crashes and burns in a flurry of secrets, CIA analyst Addie hightails it home to Adelaide Springs, Colorado — back to living with her dad and working a low-paying job.
She’s trying to pick up the pieces of her life with help from old friends. But there’s one old friend her life is better without — Wesley, her childhood sweetheart who left her at the altar when they were 18 years old. When Wes appears back in their hometown, Addie’s curiosity gets the best of her.
Cortez-based Bethany Turner’s latest romantic comedy answers the question: Wes and Addie already had their chance … right?
SKYRIDERS
By Polly Holyoke
Thirteen-year-old Kiesandra’s best friend isn’t human, but that doesn’t stop her from sharing jokes and secrets with her winged horse, N’Rah. Kie’s bond with her skysteed is critical when one day, monsters from long ago return. No one knows how to fight the fearsome chime rae except Kie’s uncle … and Injured fighting the terrible beasts, Uncle Dugs makes her promise to bring his vital attack plans and weapons to the capital. But how can a young girl from the fringes of the Empire convince people in power to listen?
Buzzing with action, heart, and friendship, this first book in Western Slope author Polly Holyoke’s Skyriders series shows that kids can achieve the impossible — especially with flying horses on their side.
RUNNING FREE
By Ami Cullen
Emme is a horse lover who never fit in with the wealth and privilege of the equestrian world. For a time, she tried to blend in — graduating from law school, passing the bar exam, traveling in the “right” social circles, and getting engaged to the son of a wealthy CEO.
Emme’s facade worked until she could pretend no longer. It was time to make a change. Not in her wildest imagination did Emme think she would become head wrangler at a dude ranch, responsible for the care and safety of 200 horses — or that she’d be the one to save those horses from a terrible wildfire. But she did, and she learned important lessons about trust, love, leadership, and life itself.
Running Free is Granby-based author Amy Cullen’s first book.
THE BLUE TRUNK
By Ann E. Lowry
Rachel Jackson’s idyllic life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers a woman’s scarf in her politician husband’s computer bag. But in an election year, seeking answers to questions of infidelity is not an option. When her mother gives her a family heirloom, a travel trunk owned by an ancestor, she finds a distraction.
In the interwoven narratives of two women who are bound by blood and a shared struggle, The Blue Trunk by Fort Collins-based author Ann E. Lowry is part historical, part modern fiction, and is a poignant exploration of identity, love, and unwavering strength.
THE LAND OF NOW
By Diane Sawatzki
Teacher Kate MacKenzie, Ute Native Victor Manyhorses, and shape-shifter Bear flee 1863 to their own time through a time-travel passage with teenager Doozie and seven-month-old Little Eagle, Victor’s granddaughter. Hoping to escape the dangers of 1863, they discover the murderous Arapaho war chief, Dark Cloud, has followed them through the passage. The intrepid time-travelers settle in to hide in the foothills north of Colorado Springs, take over running an antique business, and lie low while Dark Cloud loses their trail and apparently disappears. Or has he?
The Land of Now is the third book in Diane Sawatzki’s time-travel trilogy.
HORSES I HAVE KNOWN AND THEIR PEOPLE
By Jack Mauck
Eastern Colorado’s Jack Mauck has spent more than 60 years training, caring for, and living alongside horses. Horses I Have Known and Their People is a collection of 24 true stories about some of the most unforgettable horses he’s met along the way.
From spirited colts to wise mares, mules that challenged, and a Shetland that helped one little girl walk, each horse has a story. Jack tells their stories with the kind of humor and insight that a lifetime of experience has brought to care for both the horses and their people.
The Land of Now
Diane Sawatzki
Polly Holyoke
DON’T FORGET TO PACK CCL FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP!
Show us where you enjoy CCL for a chance to win! Take a photo of someone (or a selfie!) with the magazine and share it with us on our website at coloradocountrylife.coop. Each month we’ll draw one photo to win $25. See all the submitted photos on our Facebook page, @COCountryLife
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San Isabel Electric Association member Penni Moltrer visits the monkey sanctuary in the Dominican Republic with her daughter, Michelle Kendall.
Delta-Montrose Electric Association member and board director Enno Heuscher enjoys CCL at the Delta Hot Air Balloon Festival on July Fourth.
Kevin and Teresa Martens, members of Morgan County REA, bring CCL on their trip to Kauai, Hawaii, to celebrate one full year of retirement.
Grand Valley Power member Tim Slusher shares CCL with friends at Fossil Ridge Pack Llamas in Ohio City, Colorado.
Vanessa Wormack, a Mountain View Electric Association member, snaps a photo of her sisters Bethany and Calleigh with her copy of CCL in Atibaia, Brazil.
K.C. Electric Association member Jaclyn Griebel drives to Lubbock, Texas, with her mom Darla and stays entertained with her July issue of Colorado Country Life.
Poudre Valley REA members Linda and Jim Detling travel with their granddaughter Lauren on an Alaskan cruise. Here they
the awesome sightseeing
a quick photo with their copy of the magazine.
Atop the summit of Mount Bierstadt, Will and Graham McFadden, Y-W Electric members, bring CCL to celebrate Graham’s first fourteener hike.
CLEARING THE WAY FOR A SAFER TOMORROW
At Tri-State G&T, we believe in the strength of rural communities — and we’re working hard to protect them. Our vegetation management crews are out in the field year-round assessing vegetation risk, clearing brush, trimming trees, and creating defensible space around power lines. It’s all part of our wildfire mitigation strategy to keep your family, homes, and businesses safe. Because when it comes to wildfires, prevention is power.
WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE’LL POWER IT.®
Scan to learn more about our year-round wildfire mitigation program.
Tri-State is a not-for-profit power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska,
New Mexico and Wyoming.
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HERE’S HOW
Buy new windows and doors now and pay down the line. That’s zero, zilch, nada until August 2026!2
We have a number of exceptional financing options that allow you to finance your entire project or just a portion of it.
We’re a division of Andersen, one of the largest and oldest window companies in America. So, we can often give bigger discounts than smaller contractors and most window companies.
From replacing your windows and doors in stages to choosing a different window style, our Project Consultants are experts at finding ways to save you money.
1Subject to availability, on a total purchase of 3 or more. Buy 2 windows or doors and get the third window or door, of equal or lesser value, 60% off – applied to lowest priced window and/or door products in purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers. To qualify for discount offer, initial contact for an appointment must be made and documented on or before 8/31/25 with the purchase then occurring on or before 9/10/25. Products are marketed, sold and installed (but not manufactured) by Renewal by Andersen retailers, which are independently owned and operated under Window Warmth, LLC d/b/a Renewal by Andersen of Colorado. CO Lic. # 244783. NM Lic. # 399874. See complete information and entity identification at www.rbaguidelines.com. ©2025 Andersen Corporation. ©2025 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. 2Plan 4521. Subject to credit approval. Rates range from 14.26% - 21.19% APR (interest rates range from 15.99% - 24.99%). Loan amount and rate will vary based on your income and creditworthiness. Monthly payments are not required during the Promo Period. Loans for the GreenSky® consumer loan program are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC, NMLS #408043, without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or familial status. GreenSky Servicing, LLC services the loans on behalf of your lender, NMLS #1416362. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. GreenSky® is a registered trademark of GreenSky, LLC and is licensed to banks and other financial institutions for their use in connection with that consumer loan program. GreenSky Servicing, LLC is a financial technology company that manages the GreenSky® consumer loan program by providing origination and servicing support to banks and other financial institutions that make or hold program loans. GreenSky, LLC and GreenSky Servicing, LLC are not lenders. All credit decisions and loan terms are determined by program lenders.