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January 2015

100 years of

Rocky Mountain National Park

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[contents]

January 2015

[cover]

Ranger cabins sit buried in snow in Rocky Mountain National Park’s Kawuneeche Valley. Photo by Bob Ferguson.

4 Viewpoint

20 Recipes

5 Letters

22 Gardening

Co-op innovation, ingenuity around the state caught on tape

Egg-ceptional recipes that you can make with nature’s perfect little package

6 Calendar

24 Outdoors

Co-op News

12 NewsClips 14 Tiny Houses

More than the size of a house affects your energy usage

16 Rocky Mountain National Park

100 years of wilderness, wildlife and wonder on Rocky’s west side

Take a gardening quiz to sharpen your skills for the next growing season Bamboo makes a come back as fly fishing equipment comes full circle

Explore online

coloradocountrylife.coop

This month’s online extras 4WATCH co-ops explain renewable energy

both outdoors and indoors

4CONNECT with a map of co-ops that

29 Funny Stories

30 Discoveries

and energy efficiency

4FIND a variety of winter activities,

serve in poverty areas

4LEARN about siding filled with algae that can heat a building

4ENJOY a slide show of Rocky Mountain

National Park

4PICK UP some tips for making Fiery

eggs are produced in the United States each year

25 Energy Tips

75 million

days you can enjoy awesome Western entertainment at the National Western Stock Show

Deviled Eggs

415

square miles in Rocky Mountain National Park

The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association || Volume 46, Number 01 COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor@303-455-4111; mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Donna Wallin, Associate Editor; dwallin@coloradocountrylife.org Amy Higgins, Editorial Assistant/Writer; ahiggins@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING: Kris Wendtland@303-902-7276, advertising@coloradocountrylife.org; NCM@800-626-1181 SUBSCRIPTIONS: info@coloradocountrylife.coop

EDITORIAL: Denver Corporate Office, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216; Phone: 303-455-4111 • Email: mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org • Website: coloradocountrylife.coop • Facebook: facebook.com/COCountryLifw • Twitter: @COCountryLife Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly for $9/$15 per year by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.

[viewpoint]

CO-OP INNOVATION, INGENUITY CAUGHT ON TAPE New video showcases a variety of electric cooperative projects around the state BY KENT SINGER || CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR || KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG

In last November’s column, I mentioned that one of the highlights of CREA’s 2014 Energy Innovations Summit was the premier of a video that we produced here at the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Titled “Colorado’s Electric Co-ops: Energy and Innovation,” the video features many of the exciting projects that our state’s co-ops developed over the last few years including our collective deployment of renewable power projects, energy efficiency programs and advanced metering technology. We showed the video for the first time to all of the Summit attendees and, to my surprise, the 250 or so attendees applauded loudly at the end; clearly, a lot of our members are proud of the efforts their co-ops are making to diversify their power supply mix with renewables, help their member-owners with energy efficiency and improve the reliability of their service with advanced metering. The video demonstrates that Colorado’s electric co-ops are at the forefront of new technology and that we are responsive to the wishes of our member-owners. We worked on the production of the video for about a year, and that included the work of a videographer who went out to co-op service territories and documented the great work achieved by CREA’s members. All of the electric co-ops in Colorado are involved with new technology to help serve their member-owners, and one of the challenges in producing the video was selecting only a few of those projects for the final product. The innovation displayed by our members in the video is truly amazing, and I am writing about it in hopes that you will give it a watch. You can find the video on YouTube at YouTube.com/ COCountryLife1. Scroll to the bottom and you’ll see we posted two versions: the original 8-minute version (bit.ly/1w494qm) and a shorter 4-minute version (bit.ly/1AlDstL) that focuses on co-op renewable energy projects. Both versions give you a sampling of the incredible work accomplished in Colorado co-op territories to meet the challenges of the evolving energy paradigm. I would like to thank a number of people for making the

“Energy and Innovation” video a reality. Mona Neeley, publisher/editor of Colorado Country Life, was instrumental in developing the creative concept, assimilating several of the still photos used in the video, and helping edit the narrative language. Stefan Brodsky, our videographer, spent several days on the road meeting with Colorado co-op em- Kent Singer ployees and shooting footage of their projects and service territories. Jim Van Someren, our creative consultant, provided a huge assist in refining our message and keeping the project moving forward. Most importantly, I want to thank all of the folks at Colorado’s electric co-ops who helped us with the video, including those who ended up on camera: Steve Casey at Holy Cross Energy, Steve Metheny and Jim Hennegan at Delta-Montrose Electric Association, Jeff Wadsworth at Poudre Valley REA, Bill Annan at Morgan County REA, Susan Hunter at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and Jerry Marizza and Ron Asche at United Power. If you ever worked on a project like this, you know the logistics are complicated and require the cooperation of a lot of people. This video, “Colorado’s Electric Co-ops: Energy and Innovation,” demonstrates that Colorado’s electric co-ops are fulfilling our long-standing mission to provide safe, affordable and reliable electric service, and we are also integrating renewable resources and new technology to better serve our memberowners. The projects shown in this video are just a sample, and I have no doubt that somewhere down the road you will be able to watch “Energy and Innovation: The Sequel.”

Kent Singer, Executive Director

Scan to watch the Colorado electric co-ops video or visit bit.ly/1w494qm. 4

JANUARY 2015

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[ letters] Celebrating Hunting I just read Dennis Smith’s article on hunting as a valid sport. (Outdoors, October ’14) I agree with his take on it 100 percent. I have been hunting since I can remember. Hunting is one of those things that you either understand or you don’t. I think that it is sad that more people do not expose their minds to the possibilities that are out there. Norm Benson, Fraser

No Laughing Matter Must we stoop so low as to applaud inappropriate “jokes”? (October ’14) A few years back, Art Linkletter had a television show called “Kids Say the Darndest Things” and he had the good sense to skip the inappropriate things. When I was a young lady, the saying “got knocked up” was a degrading saying and, as far as I know, it still is. There is nothing funny or nice about it. Shirley A. Mikita, Colorado Springs

The article on monsters (October ’14) was gruesome. Please ask Dennis Smith to stick with stories about hunting and animals — anything except monsters. Lila Taylor, Stratton

Value of Renewable Energy In all the years I have been reading Colorado Country Life, I cannot recall an editorial position suggesting we work toward renewable energy sources and that, while it might cost more now, it is worth the cost. I hear only about how much it would cost, regulations, inconvenience to customers, etc. Just because renewable energy may cost a bit more now, doesn’t mean that we aren’t getting value for that extra cost. A cleaner environment, a hedge against climate change and jobs right here in the USA that can’t be outsourced are all benefits we gain from renewable energy. Phillip Palise, Peyton & Long Beach, CA

GOT A COMMENT? Send your letter to the editor by mail to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org.

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an iPad Mini Send your name, address and phone number via the U.S. mail to: iPad Contest Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St. Denver, CO 80216 One entry per month will be accepted. Drawing will be March 16.

JANUARY 2015

[calendar]

January

January 8-11 Ouray Ice Festival Ouray Ice Park ourayicepark.com

January 8-10 Vail Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival Various Vail Locations bigbeersfestival.com January 9-11 Denver Boat Show Colorado Convention Center denverboatshow.com January 10 Lafayette Quaker Oatmeal Festival and 5K Various Lafayette Locations 7:30 am-12 pm • 303-666-9555 January 10-11 Loveland “HOPSCOTCH! The Musical” Rialto Theater Center rialtoloveland.ticketforce.com January 11-17 Breckenridge Ullr Fest Various Breckenridge Locations gobreck.com January 14-18 Crested Butte Mountain High Music Fest Various Crested Butte Locations mountainhighmusicfest.com January 16-17 Denver “Going Baroque” Symphony Boettcher Concert Hall 7:30 pm • coloradosymphony. org January 16-19 Estes Park Winter Festival Various Estes Park Locations visitestespark.com January 17-19 Copper Safety Fest Center Village at Copper 9 am-4 pm • coppercolorado. com 6

JANUARY 2015

January 17-18 Rifle Ice Fishing Tournament Rifle Gap Reservoir rifleareachamber.chamber master.com/events January 18 Colorado Springs Veronika String Quartet Fine Arts Center 2 pm • 719-634-5583 January 19 Littleton Mini Camp Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield 9 am-4 pm • botanicgardens. org January 20 Pueblo “I’ve Got a Little Twist” Musical Center Stage 7:30 pm • 719-295-7200 January 21 Pagosa Springs Local Appreciation Day Wolf Creek Ski Area 970-264-5639 • wolfcreekski. com January 22-25 Beaver Creek FOOD & WINE Weekend Various Beaver Creek Locations beavercreek.com

Featured Event

National Western Stock Show January 10-25 at the Denver Coliseum and other various Denver-area locations. The National Western Stock Show is a nationally acclaimed event that features amazing Western, family-friendly entertainment of all sorts including Westernaires horse shows, stock dog trials, mutton bustin’, rodeos and a bunch more. To find out more, call 303-2966977 or visit nationalwestern.com.

January 28-February 1 Durango Steampunk Snowdown Various Durango Locations durango.com January 30 Alamosa Ice Festival Downtown Alamosa 719-589-2105 January 31 Steamboat Springs “Writing a Book That Sells” Seminar Colorado Mountain College 10 am-3 pm • 970-870-4444

February

January 22-25 Golden Colorado Cowboy Gathering Miners Alley Playhouse/ American Mountaineering Center coloradocowboygathering.com

February 4-5 Fort Collins “The Elixir of Love” Opera Lincoln Center 7:30 pm • 970-221-6730

January 23-25 Granby Ice Fishing Contest Various Granby Lakes granbychamber.com

February 4-8 Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival Various Steamboat Springs Locations steamboat-chamber.com

January 24 Fort Collins Winter Farmers Market Opera Galleria 10 am-2 pm • nocofoodcluster. com

February 6 Cañon City First Friday Art Walk Downtown Cañon City 5 pm • canoncity.com

January 24 Monument Ice Fishing Tournament Monument Lake 9 am-1 pm • warriors icefishing.com

February 6-7 Lake City Frozen River Film Festival Mary Stigall Theatre www.lfvc.org

February 6-7 Littleton Colorado Dulcimer Festival Saint James Presbyterian Church coloradodulcimerfestival.com February 6-8 Pueblo Eagle Day Festival Lake Pueblo State Park Headquarters 719-561-5300 • eagleday.org February 7 Ignacio LifeGuard Banquet Sky Ute Convention Center 6 pm • 970-385-8451 February 9 Grand Junction Taste of the Grand Valley Two Rivers Convention Center 4-7:30 pm • 970-243-5364

SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO:

CALENDAR Colorado Country Life 5400 N. Washington St. Denver, CO 80216 Fax to 303.455.2807 or email calendar@coloradocountrylife.org. Items will be printed on a space available basis. For more information on these and other events, visit coloradocountrylife.coop.

coloradocountrylife.coop

MOUNTAIN VIEW ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

Mountain View Electric Joins in Sending Over 1 Million+ Comments to EPA Comments oppose new regulations that would increase price of electricity BY JIM HERRON || CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER || HERRONJC@MVEA.ORG

I am happy to share with you that more than 1.1 million comments were submitted through tellEPA.com and action.coop to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in opposition to the agency’s proposal to limit carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. The comment period Jim Herron closed last month, on December 1. These comments came from electric co-op members across the United States who opposed the proposed rule regulating power plants emissions. I want to personally thank all the Mountain View Electric Association members whose comments made up nearly 38 percent of the overall Colorado statewide comments submitted to the EPA, the most comments from one cooperative in the state. Our top priority is keeping electric bills affordable for our members. Unfortunately, the EPA didn’t consider the real world impact this latest proposal will have on the budgets of families and businesses across America. That’s why co-op members nationwide spoke out and told the EPA they couldn’t afford another all-pain-for-no-gain government regulation. It’s possible to balance affordability and environmental stewardship, but not under these latest rules. The comments sent by members of Mountain View Electric Association were part of this national effort by electric cooperatives to let the EPA know that real people are opposed to the proposed regulations for new and

coloradocountrylife.coop

existing power plants. The EPA’s complex scheme is fundamentally based on asking American families and businesses to pay more for electricity and use less. Reliable electricity is essential to the economic well-being of our nation. Analyses by many of the nation’s reliability watchdogs (including the North American Electric Reliability Corporation) indicate the EPA’s proposal could raise “serious reliability issues.” By reducing reliability and increasing costs, this proposal would unfairly hit low-income members the hardest. Those at the end of the line pay the bill. Any increase in costs must be passed along to members. At the end of the day, there is no guarantee that the scheme designed by the EPA can actually work. Gambling with the reliability of the grid is not a bet America wants the EPA to make, and I hope that because so many people raised their voices it will be drastically changed or completely withdrawn. Without a doubt, this tremendous milestone and achievement will serve as a wake-up call to the EPA. The fight now shifts to the state level, where we will continue pressing the EPA to find a commonsense solution, rather than its latest proposal, which goes too far, too fast. Thank you for the time and effort you invested in taking a stand. This major milestone, of sending 1.1 million comments to the EPA, could not have been reached without your voice and your action. JANUARY 2015

MOUNTAIN VIEW ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

Country Kitchen

2016 Photo Calendar Contest

Happy New Year! It’s time to look through your recent photos and plan to take more photos to participate in Mountain View Electric Association’s 2016 Photo CalBaby Owl Glaring, photo by endar Contest. Every year we receive more and more Todd Lockwood, Peyton amazing and beautiful photos. MVEA invites you to send in your photos taken within MVEA’s territory and reflecting the seasons, people, lifestyle or landscape of the area. The winning photographs will be included in the 2016 calendar. Please read the following guidelines carefully. The deadline for entry is July 1, 2015. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Schaefer at 719-494-2670 or email schaefer-s@mvea.org. 1. Only MVEA members, directors, employees and their family members are eligible. 2. Photos will not be accepted without a completed entry form. Cut out the form below and submit with photo or go online to www.mvea.coop, click on “Community” and then “Photo Calendar Contest.” Duplicate form if necessary. 3. Only two photos per person will be accepted. Submit a separate entry form for EACH photograph. However, both photos may be submitted on one CD or by email. Remember to send the photos in high resolution for printing. 4. DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION ON THE PHOTOGRAPH. 5. Digital entries preferred. CDs or disks will be accepted. You may put both entries on one CD or disk. It is not necessary to send enlargements. See note to digital camera users. 6. Photos must have horizontal/landscape orientation for best chance of being selected for the calendar. 7. DO NOT SUBMIT ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS. PHOTOS BECOME THE PROPERTY OF MVEA AND WILL NOT BE RETURNED. NO EXCEPTIONS. 8. Deadline: July 1, 2015. Mail to: Mountain View Electric Association, Attn.: Sarah Schaefer, 11140 E. Woodmen Road, Falcon, CO 80831. Or email to schaefer-s@mvea.org. Note to digital camera users: Resolution of digital photos printed on home printers is usually too low for commercial printing. Minimum resolution is 300 dpi.

2016 MVEA Photo Calendar Contest Entry Form Name: Address: City:

State:

Home phone:

Work phone:

MVEA account number:

Email:

ZIP:

Being healthy is always a good New Year’s resolution. So here’s a way to start your day off on the right track. This recipe is shared by Serena Harper of Monument who found it on MindBodyGreen.com and says it is “filling and full of good nutrients.” If you have a recipe you would like to share, please send it to MVEA, Attn.: Sarah Schaefer, 11140 E. Woodmen Road, Falcon, CO 80831 or send it by email to schaefer-s@ mvea.org. If your recipe is selected and published, you will receive a $10 credit on your electric bill the month your recipe appears in Colorado Country Life magazine.

Sweet Potato and Kale Hash With a Poached Egg 2-3 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup sweet potato, medium dice 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, medium dice 1/4 cup tomato sauce or vegetable broth 1/2 cup kale, random pieces broken off the center core 1 egg Salt and pepper Place a skillet over medium heat. Add oil and heat. Add potatoes and cook (covered) for 2-3 minutes or just until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook until it begins to color (about 30 seconds). Follow with the tomatoes and the sauce or broth and cook for another minute. Stir in the kale, season with salt and pepper, make a space in the middle and crack in an egg (or two). If a bit dry, add a splash of water or a bit more broth. Cover and cook for about 3 minutes or until the egg is done. Serves 1. If you’re a vegan, make the hash and skip the egg. You might also want to add some diced onions. Add them at the same time as the tomatoes.

Limit 2 entries per person. Send a completed form with each entry. Deadline July 1, 2015. Copy or photocopy form for additional entries. Mail to: MVEA, Attn.: Sarah Schaefer, 11140 E. Woodmen Road, Falcon, CO 80831. Or submit by email: schaefer-s@mvea.org.

JANUARY 2015

coloradocountrylife.coop

MOUNTAIN VIEW ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

It’s MVEA Scholarship Time High school seniors and their parents have a lot of decisions to make. Whether or not to attend college is one of them. To help ease the burden for members, MVEA offers 14 college scholarships.

To qualify for these scholarships, students must: •H ave parents or guardians receiving service from MVEA • Be a graduating high school senior •M eet ACT or SAT and GPA requirements (these vary depending on scholarship) • Return the application by January 15, 2015

Scholarships available 10 — $1,000 MVEA

1 — $1,000 MVEA vocational and technical 1 — $1,000 Tri-State Generation and Transmission 1 — $1,000 Basin Electric Power 1 — $1,000 E.A. “Mick” Geesen Memorial Scholarships are awarded by lottery. Applications are available on MVEA’s website at www.mvea.coop or by contacting member services at 719-494-2670.

Did You Know? Space heaters are responsible for 32 percent of house fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. • Place your space heater on a level, nonflammable surface. • Make sure your space heater has an auto shutoff function. • Never pair your space heater with an extension cord. • Never leave a space heater unattended when it is in use. • Purchase space heaters that are cool to the touch.

coloradocountrylife.coop

JANUARY 2015

MOUNTAIN VIEW ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

Join Operation Round Up and Make a Difference

Mountain View Electric Association started the Operation Round Up program in 2000 to assist HISTORY OF THE FUND 2013 nonprofit organizations, communities with $116,884 (Balance 12/31/12) special needs and individuals who have suffered Amount Collected $2,211,285 $166,361 from personal disasters such as fire, tornado or Awarded to Organizations ($1,202,929) $(113,535) medical emergencies. Members have given over Awarded to Individual Families ($694,563) $(35872) $2 million to this program by rounding their bill Operating Expenses ($196,909) $(14,186) up to the next dollar. This money is only used for Ending Balance $116,884 $119,651 (Balance 12/31/13) the benefit of our members and not used to pay electric bills or for political or religious purposes. Sixty-two percent of MVEA’s members donate to Operation ested in applying for a grant, please download the applications Round Up with the maximum contribution for the year being and information off of MVEA’s website, www.mvea.coop, or call less than $12. It is a small price to pay for helping our communiMegan Morse at 719-495-2622. ties; as we all work together great things happen. If you currently The figures above are as of December 31, 2013. The column on do not round up your electric bill to the next dollar, please conthe left is a history of the fund since its inception in July of 2000. sider joining. Give us a call if you would like more information The column on the right is figures for the year 2013. Thanks to on this fantastic community program. Small change equals $2 all our contributors for supporting their communities and those million. in need through Operation Round Up. The board of directors is made up of volunteers from districts within MVEA’s territory. If you or your organization is inter-

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Give Heaters Space and Blankets a Break

In the wintertime, a simple way to save money and stay warm can mean turning down the furnace and plugging in space heaters and electric blankets. However, the Safe Electricity program urges consumers to use these devices with caution. According to a National Fire Protection Association study, in 2010 space heaters accounted for 32 percent of the 57,100 reported home fires and 80 percent of deaths caused by home heating equipment. In September 2012, the Chicago Tribune reported the death of a 2-month-old girl. A space heater placed too close to the bed sparked a fire in the apartment, which reportedly had nonworking smoke alarms. Prevent tragedies by using the following guidelines to operate space heaters and electric blanket safely: ❒ Many fires start when flammable products are placed too close to heating devices, such as space heaters. Space heaters should be kept at least 3 feet from blankets, clothing, paper and other flammables. ❒ Place space heaters out of high-traffic areas and on a level, hard, nonflammable floor surface, not on carpets, furniture or countertops. ❒ Look for a space heater with guards over heating elements and that automatically shuts off if it is tipped over or overheating. ❒ Do not attempt to warm your entire home using only space heaters. Space heaters are useful in small areas, such as a study or living room, but if you need to keep large areas warm, your

JANUARY 2015

home heating system will do the job more efficiently. ❒ Plug space heaters directly into the outlet, and never use an extension cord. For the safe use of electric blankets, Safe Electricity offers the following tips: ❒ Only use electric blankets with an automatic shutoff designed to prevent the blanket from overheating. ❒ Electric blanket wires should never be bent or tucked under a mattress. ❒ Replace old or damaged electric blankets. The blanket should not have any charred or dark areas. Check space heaters and electric blankets before use. Cords should not be frayed, brittle or cracked. Always remember to turn off space heaters and electric blankets when not in use.

coloradocountrylife.coop

NOVEMBER 2014

[newsclips]

We Have a New App for That!

Have you viewed the video of beautiful outdoor images with this month’s feature story on Rocky Mountain National Park’s 100th anniversary? Did you check out the advertisers’ websites by scanning their ads with your smartphone or tablet? You can do all that and more with Colorado Country Life’s new, improved app. For the past several months, Colorado Country Life offered these additional features through an app called Layar. With this January issue, our augmented features switched to a new and improved app. To access the new app, search for “Colorado Country Life Extras” in the Apple Store or Google Play and download it on your smartphone or tablet. Then keep that device handy as you read the magazine. When you see the little, black, phone-shaped icon in the magazine, you’ll find something additional when you scan that page. It may be a video or a link to a web-

site. It may be more photos or an extra recipe. For more information on exactly how the new app works, turn to page 2. We’re also offering a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 through this month’s extras. You must scan the pages to find the entry form. Using that form you can enter the drawing. The contest will be repeated in the February and March issues with the tablet giveaway on March 16 drawing. No mobile device? Then check the printed magazine for a second contest especially designed for those who are not currently connected to the Internet via mobile device. This contest will be for an iPad Mini. You may only enter this contest through the U.S. mail. You may to enter in January, February and March, with that drawing taking place March 16. So read the magazine, keep your mobile device handy and enjoy Colorado Country Life with a few “extras.”

Coal Consumption Expected to Drop

Gigi Dennis

Megan Gilman

Co-op Women Honored for Their Leadership

Two leaders in Colorado’s electric co-op community were recently honored as “Top Women in Energy” by the Denver Business Journal and Women in Energy, Inc. Gigi Dennis, senior manager of external affairs at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., and Megan Gilman, Holy Cross Energy board member, were included in the 2014 inaugural class of “Top Women in Energy.” Dennis, a former state senator who served as Colorado Secretary of State from 2005 to 2007, has worked in the electric co-op community since 2007. She is also a board member of Food Bank of the Rockies, the Foundation for Community Colleges and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry. Gilman, who represents Holy Cross Energy on the Colorado Rural Electric Association Board of Directors, is president of Active Energies of Minturn. She also served on Colorado’s Energy Key Industry Network steering committee and currently sits on the board for Walking Mountains Science School. The electric co-ops are proud to see members of the co-op community recognized for their expertise.

JANUARY 2015

Coal is still king when it comes to energy generation, providing about 39 percent of the total electricity generated in the United States and more than 60 percent of the electricity generated in Colorado. But the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that those percentages will begin to slide in the coming year. EIA expects to find that coal usage increased 1.2 percent in 2014, but is predicting a drop of 0.4 percent in demand in 2015. More than 12,800 megawatts of capacity are expected to be shut down in 2015.

Did You Know?

Co-ops Serve Those Living in Poverty

Electric cooperatives serve in 327 of the nation’s 353 “persistent poverty counties.” Of the 42 million Americans served by cooperatives, an estimated 4 million live in counties where poverty is persistent. That means these co-op members live in counties where more than 20 percent of the population have lived at the poverty rate for the last 30 years. In Colorado, that includes Alamosa (24.4 percent); Costilla (27.4 percent); and Saguache (32.5 percent). Visit bit.ly/1nXnxh0 and see where these poverty counties are in the United States and where they intersect with electric co-op service territories.

coloradocountrylife.coop

[newsclips]

coloradocountrylife.coop

DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE INCREASING THE USE OF NUCLEAR POWER TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY IN THE U.S.?

74% 66% 59%

56% 47%

47%

42%

27%

30%

SUPPORT

29%

OPPOSE

36%

REGISTERED VOTERS

MALE

FEMALE

REGISTERED VOTERS

MALE

OPPOSE

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

SUPPORT

21% OPPOSE

Did you know that this magazine is provided to you by your local electric cooperative? You get a copy of Colorado Country Life each month because it is the most convenient and economical way for your co-op to share information with its members. Cooperatives are founded on seven co-op principles with the fifth principle being “education, training and information.” To live up to this principle, Colorado’s electric co-ops use Colorado Country Life to educate and inform their members. Each month, the co-ops publish information about co-op services, director elections, member meetings, rate changes, energysaving options and more. Sending all of that information in individual mailings would increase costs and add to your electric bill. Many co-op members have a tendency to simply toss flyers and newsletters that only contain electric news. By weaving the electric information you need to know throughout an interesting magazine that covers a wide variety of interests, readership increases. And you learn more about your electric co-op. By working with other Colorado electric coops to publish part of the magazine, your local co-op can send all of this information to you for only a little more than 37 cents a month. The magazine has proven to be an efficient, costeffective way for your electric co-op to stay in touch with you and its other members. You will also find information on Colorado’s electric co-ops at crea.coop and colorado countrylife.coop. Or follow the Colorado Touchstone Energy Co-ops on Facebook at Facebook.com/Colorado REA or Face book.com/COCountryLife or on Twitter at Twitter. com/ColoradoREA or Twitter.com/CO CountryLife.

DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE USING NUCLEAR POWER TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY IN THE U.S.?

SUPPORT

Why Does This Magazine Arrive From the Co-op?

FEMALE

SURVEY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR NUCLEAR

Does nuclear power play a role in the move to more environmentally friendly energy resources? Maybe, maybe not. Many green groups continue to call for a full shutdown of those power plants. At the same time five new nuclear power plants are scheduled to come online within a few years. A December poll by Morning Consult, a digital media company covering energy and Washington, shows cautious support for expanding nuclear power. As the graph above shows, a majority of Americans support nuclear power. That support drops when the question is about expanding nuclear power, although supporters remain in the majority.

Growing Your Own Heat

Imagine a building sided with hollow panels filled with water and algae that use photosynthesis to absorb carbon dioxide and generate heat that is fed into the building, heating the facility with a truly renewable resource. A company called Arup Deutschland recently won the applied innovations category of the Zumtobel Group Award with that kind of a system. Arup introduced its “Solarleaf” facade on a building in Hamburg, Germany. The micro algae are cultivated in flat panel “photo bioreactors” (right) on the side of the building, which generate the solar thermal heat. The algae is then harvested as biomass for energetic use or as a resource for food and pharmaceuticals. The bioreactors capture solar thermal heat with an efficiency of approximately 50 percent. Learn more about this project and see photos at www.arup.com/Projects/SolarLeaf/Details.aspx.

JANUARY 2015

[industry]

Do You Need to Build a Tiny House to Save Energy? More than size has an effect on energy usage BY THOMAS KIRK

A tiny house “movement” gained attention nationally as a reaction to the increased size of larger homes. Popularized by the television documentary “Tiny” and other media coverage, tiny homes typically measure less than 1,000 square feet — a far cry from the typical American home. In 1973, the average U.S. home measured 1,660 square feet. Since then, U.S. homes grew by more than 60 percent to reach an average size of 2,598 square feet in 2013 (with a slight dip in 2008 through 2010). But do smaller homes actually use less energy? What are the factors that determine how much energy a house consumes? As the size of homes increase, so do their energy demands. Examining only a home’s size shows a strong positive correlation between the square footage of a home and its energy consumption. In extreme cases, homes that measure more than 6,400 square feet (the top 1 percent of homes) use two-and-a-half times as much electricity as a 1,600-square-foot home. There’s additional space to be heated or cooled, more lighting is required and it’s likely that the number of appliances will increase. But, today’s home is also more energy efficient. Other factors, such as the age of the home, climate, income and behavior, influence energy consumption as well. U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows that homes built after the year 2000 use only 2 percent more energy than homes built before 2000, even though the newer homes are 30 percent larger on average and contain more electronic appliances. There are several reasons for this equilibrium in energy use

JANUARY 2015

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Photo Credit: Boneyard Studios

despite the greater building size. First, homes are becoming more energy efficient. They are lit with compact fluorescent bulbs and LEDs instead of incandescents and use more efficient appliances. For example, an older refrigerator can use twice the amount of energy as a newer model of similar capacity. Second, homes today are built with more energy-efficient features. This includes better building shells, modern windows and more insulation. Larger homes in particular are more likely to include these types of energy-saving features. These changes are due to technological advances as well as policy changes that tightened building codes and raised the minimum energy efficiency standards for appliances. Programs such as Energy Star are educating consumers about the efficiency and cost savings of their products. Finally, more Americans are moving south to more moderate climates. This means less energy is used on space heating, and although the southern migration resulted in a 56 percent

increase in energy used for air-conditioning, itâ€™s not enough to offset the space heating reduction. What this ultimately means is that the amount of energy a home uses is not predetermined by its size. While moving into a tiny home may not be practical or possible â€” they are often not allowed under current zoning regulations and only make up around 1 percent of homes â€” realize both large and small homes have the potential to be efficient. Rather than moving into a tiny home to save energy, consider looking into energy-efficient retrofits. For more ways to save, visit together wesave.com. Thomas Kirk is a technical research analyst specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy for the Cooperative Research Network.

WiseSavers Check the condition of your cookware. According to U.S. Department of Energy, if a pan is warped it could use 50 percent more energy to boil water than a pan with a completely flat bottom. The flatter bottomed the cookware, the more contact with the heating element. Also, remember to use lids when bringing the contents of your pan to a boil. It will heat faster.

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JANUARY 2015

100

Years of

Wilderness, Wildlife and Wonder on Rocky’s West Side BY M A RY P E C K

Smoke from smoldering sage wafted through the still evening air as the setting sun cast a glow on Grand Lake. It was September 2014, and a group of visitors and locals was gathered in a circle on the lake’s north shore as part of a special blessing of the sacred lake performed by Calvin StandingBear, a Lakota tribal elder. The blessing ceremony was among the first of many unique events planned for the coming year on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park in celebration of the park’s 100th birthday. The character of Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side is something that the majority of park visitors never experience. Of the estimated 3.5 million people who travel to the park each year, about 300,000 see the west side. The east entrance through Estes Park is an easy 90-minute drive from Denver International Airport, and although the west side entrance through Grand Lake is only an hour farther, it does require a higher altitude trek over the Continental Divide by way of Berthoud Pass or Trail Ridge Road. The park’s centennial, which kicked off September 3 and 4, 2014, and will culminate with rededication ceremonies on the same days in 2015, is an excellent opportunity to discover some of the lesser known treasures and history of a world famous national park, fondly nicknamed “Rocky,” in our own great state. One of those treasures is Rocky’s west side.

JANUARY 2015

Author Mary Taylor Young taught nature writing courses in the park for 25 years and was selected to write Rocky Mountain National Park: The First 100 Years (Far Country Press, available at Amazon.com). Taylor Young spent her childhood summers at her grandparents’ cabin near the upper west boundary of the park. “In general, the west side is much less visited and the trails are not that heavily hiked,” she noted. “And I would bet a lot of people don’t know there’s a mining ghost town there called Lulu City. There’s almost nothing left there any more.” A 3.7-mile hike starting at the Colorado River Trailhead will take you to the site of the once booming mining town. Many of the west side’s hiking trails begin within the Kawuneeche Valley, a lush 20-mile-long valley carved by the Colorado River at the base of the Never Summer Mountain Range. Its Arapaho name means “Valley of the Coyote,” and, along with the occasional coyote, moose, deer, elk and quantities of other wildlife are likely seen by visitors throughout the valley. Because it straddles the Continental Divide, the climate on the park’s west side is noticeably different than the more arid east side. Parts of the Kawuneeche Valley can get up to 20 feet of snow in the winter. “There’s a distinct difference in the weather,” said Rebecca Roland, a Rocky Mountain National Park ranger based on the

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residents in winter and about 3,000 in summer.

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Granby and the Alva B. Adams Tunnel. The Adams Tunnel runs 13 miles under the park, connecting the west and east sides. Snowmelt enters the tunnel from Grand Lake and, after traveling for about two hours, exits the east portal just outside of Estes Park. As it descends, the water powers several hydroelectric plants before it reaches Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake and Boulder Reservoir. The immense snowfall makes for a beautiful and fruitful, albeit short, growing season. Homesteaders on the west side largely found ranching difficult if not impossible. Transitioning ranching properties to dude ranches was not uncommon in the early turn of the century. Holzwarth Historic Site was one of the first dude ranches in the area and was acquired by Rocky Mountain National Park in 1974. It was restored to its 1920s appearance and is home to a number of west side events. Visitors can see cabins filled with furnishings and artifacts from the era. While there are still private residences within the park, many of them, as well as private land, were acquired for the park in the past 100 years. Trail River Ranch, just 4 miles inside the park’s west entrance, is one of the few remaining ranches in the park. “It was homesteaded in 1914 and started as a cattle ranch, like many did,” said Dave Lively, local historian and centennial speaker series volunteer. “But it eventually became a resort property for the family.” The volunteer group Friends of Trail River Ranch* is now working to preserve and restore the property for use as a public learning and activity center that will provide in-depth educational experiences on the park’s west side. Buildings that serve a variety of Photograph by Mary Peck

west side. “A lot of the precip drops on this side. It’s a lot wetter climate.” All that moisture makes the park’s fertile west side a haven for moose, which became somewhat of a signature for the town of Grand Lake. “They were introduced to North Park in 1978, and two dozen animals have become almost 2,600 in the state,” Roland said. With an estimated 90 percent of the west side’s adult lodgepole pines lost to the mountain pine beetle, more sunlight is now hitting the aspen and the forest floor. That creates more ground cover for food, and Roland expects moose, elk, mountain lions, bobcats and coyotes to continue to thrive. Water, in all its forms, is a frequent and fascinating subject across the area. Roland believes it’s the most important part of Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side. “We preserve the headwaters of a major U.S. water source,” said Roland. “It’s unique that we have the Colorado River headwaters, and the Colorado gives water to 36 million people. It goes through seven states and two Mexican states, four national parks and five national monuments.” Front Range dwellers may not wholly realize that the majority of their water comes to them from the west side of the Continental Divide. “Sixty percent of Denver’s water comes from here,” said Roland. The idea of bringing Colorado River water to the thirsty, populous eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains began in the 1880s. Today there are a total of 19 waterdiversion projects on the west side, all created to harness this valuable The town of Grand Lake is considered the gateway to resource and push it east. They the western entrance of include the hand-dug, 14-mile-long Rocky Mountain National Grand Ditch as well as Grand Lake, Park. It is home to Shadow Mountain Reservoir, Lake approximately 400-500

JANUARY 2015

Trail River Ranch sits at the confluence of the Bowen and Baker streams and the Colorado River. Preservation efforts are being made so that the property can serve as an educational and activity center on the park¹s west side.

Photograph by Mary Peck

town Granby on July 4. “It’s really about the people who come here and the communities around the park,” said Roland. “It’s much more of their celebration than it is just ours, so we decided that would be a good way to celebrate, to let the communities hold events.” The theme of the yearlong celebration of centennial events is “Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder: Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Inspire the Future.” With its rich, distinct history, honoring Rocky’s past means honoring the past of a place unlike any on earth. “If you think about writing the history of any park with the words Rocky Mountain in its name, you’re just going to have to start with the beginning of the mountains, so essentially the dawn of time,” said Taylor Young. “There are rocks in the park visible from Trail Ridge Road that are a billion years old.” Ten thousand years ago humans lived intermittently in the mountains in areas that now fall within the park’s boundary. The Ute people lived there 6,000 years ago, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho occasionally made excursions to the mountains but mostly lived on the plains. Fur trappers and traders arrived in the early 1800s. A half century later, the gold rush was in full force and tourism increased as word spread about the beauty of Estes Park and Grand Lake. “It’s interesting how people managed to get here,” said Kathy Means, park volunteer and vice president of the Grand Lake Area Historical Society. “And then when they came, they stayed, because it was hot in the city. The lake was the attraction here.” Rocky Mountain National Park was dedicated on September 4, 1915, thanks to the efforts of naturalist Enos Mills, businessman

purposes are scattered across Rocky’s west side, and all receive electric power from Mountain Parks Electric Association, Inc., headquartered in Granby. Operations Superintendent Bruce Van Bockern said that power lines run about 10 miles into the park and were originally constructed in the 1950s. But with frequent outages due to trees falling on the lines, the decision was made to bury the nearly 48,000 feet of line. The project was completed in 2008. “It’s unique in itself that we’re able to work with the park service,” said Van Bockern. “They know, as we know, how important it is to maintain the lines.” While the inefficiency of tending to power outages roughly twice a week on the west side is now gone, Van Bockern said the Mountain Parks linemen would make haste getting out of the office to check out issues and take in the stunning beauty of the park while they worked. “It’s a blessing to be up here,” he said. “Every day seems like a vacation.” Mountain Parks Electric is a key player in the area’s west side centennial celebrations throughout the year, and a main sponsor of the park’s 100th anniversary signature parade event in down-

The theme of the yearlong celebration of centennial events is “Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder: Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Inspire the Future.”

JANUARY 2015

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Photograph by Bob Ferguson

The Little Buckaroo barn is one of the most widely photographed barns in Colorado. Built in 1942 by ranchers from Louisiana, the barn is on the National Register of Historic Places as an excellent example of Cajun Mountain style architecture.

F.O. Stanley, Rocky Mountain News editor William Byers, Colorado Mountain Club president James Grafton Rogers and other advocates. Members of the Colorado Mountain Club played important and interesting roles in driving the legislation that created the park. In 1914, at the suggestion of the U.S. Geological Survey to have the peaks within the proposed park named, two young women within the club ventured to Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation and arranged for Arapaho elders and an interpreter to travel into Estes Valley on an expedition to name many of the peaks and other geographic locations. During the two-week excursion, the Arapaho men named 24 peaks and the Kawuneeche Valley. The Colorado Mountain Club is celebrating the centennial by leading climbs of 100 peaks in five different regions of the park, which will total 100 miles. If that sounds overly ambitious, Trail Ridge Road, the ”highway to the sky,” is an unforgettable option for viewing the highest elevations of the park, ascending to just over 12,000 feet. Drivers can tour Rocky for 48 miles between Grand Lake and Estes Park along the highest continuous paved road in the country. Mother Nature decides its travel season, but it’s generally open from late May through October. However you see it, whenever you see it, one thing is certain: You will be changed by the spectacular year-round wonder of the west side. “It’s a year of celebration,” said Roland. “It’s a big deal.” Whether it’s to be part of a profound lake blessing, join ranger-led snowshoe walks and ski tours, visit a museum, ice fish, attend a historic re-enactment or to enjoy a wealth of other memorable experiences, plan a visit to wish Rocky a happy birthday this year. You’re the one who will go home with a gift. Mary Peck is a freelance writer who enjoys the wealth of experiences and learning opportunities that every story offers. She lives with her family in Northern Colorado.

* Friends of Trail River Ranch is a committee of Rocky Mountain Conservancy, a nonprofit organization supporting Rocky Mountain National Park. Scan this page or visit YouTube.com/COCountryLife1 for a breathtaking visit to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Visit coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Contests for information on how to win Mary Taylor Young’s book on Rocky Mountain National Park or RMNP T-shirts and sweatshirts.

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How Well Do Know Rocky Mountain National Park? Scan this page for a video taken inside the park. Enter our drawing for a $25 gift card by telling us where it was taken. Or watch the video at YouTube.com/COCountryLife1 and enter.

JANUARY 2015

[recipes]

“EGGS-CEPTIONAL” RECIPES

Try these options, which are delicious any time of the day BY AMY HIGGINS || AHIGGINS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

Everything in Moderation If you’re watching your cholesterol, keep your egg intake at a minimum or opt for egg whites only. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol — about 185 milligrams per yolk, according to the Mayo Clinic — a leading cause of heart disease.

Eggs, Eggs Everywhere Did you know that there are more chickens in the world than humans? Also, chickens will lay approximately one egg per day. That’s a lot of eggs.

Eggs are loaded with vitamins and minerals your body craves. They are a great source of protein, which builds stronger muscles and keeps you feeling fuller longer. But most of all, eggs are scrumptious … any time of day. Although these recipes call for sausage, you can use any other breakfast meat or increase the veggie and cheese portions for a delicious vegetarian meal.

Cornbread With Spicy Sausage 1 12-ounce package spicy breakfast sausage 1 cup yellow cornmeal 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1/4 cup butter, melted 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Slice sausage with knife, and then peel and remove casings. In a skillet, cook and crumble sausage until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, combine eggs, milk and butter; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in sausage, red bell pepper and cheese. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Source: Johnsonville Foods

Olé Tortilla Cups 1 12-ounce package breakfast sausage 9 6-inch flour tortillas, at room temperature 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Mexican blend cheese 6 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Salsa, optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sausage according to package directions; cut into small pieces and set aside. Coat muffin pan and both sides of tortillas with cooking spray. Cut tortillas into quarters. Arrange three tortilla pieces in each muffin cup, overlapping to fit. Press tortillas gently and firmly into muffin pan. (Tortillas should stick up higher than muffin cup sides.) Arrange half of the cheese in tortilla-lined muffin cups. Top with sausage and remaining cheese. In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, milk, bell pepper, cilantro, salt and pepper. Carefully pour into cups. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until eggs are set. Serve with salsa, if desired. Source: Johnsonville Foods

JANUARY 2015

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NOVEMBER 2014

[gardening]

EXAM TIME

Test your Colorado gardening know-how BY KRISTEN HANNUM || GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

What’s a gardener to do during these short days of winter? This really isn’t much of a hardship as gardeners are typically imaginative people who love to plan and learn. Isn’t that the reason for the proliferation of books, catalogs and websites focused on gardening? All are wonderful companions for a frigid, snowy evening. To test your knowledge, here’s a brief quiz for Colorado gardeners. Good luck! 1. When green-thumbed gardeners from Oregon or Pennsylvania move to Colorado, they’re often shocked that the plants they stick in the ground here don’t take off they way they did back home. That’s because: a. Colorado’s average elevation is 6,800 feet above sea level. That means intense sunlight mixed with low humidity. b. A lot of Colorado’s dirt is made up of alkaline clay soils. It needs patient and persistent amending. c. Colorado’s winds and changeable weather are hard on plants, which must be protected and carefully chosen for their hardiness. d. All of the above. 2. It’s best to plant the same kind of vegetables in the same place every year. a. Yes. The nematodes in the soil become accustomed to various specific

plants growing there, meaning you have to start the soil-building process over again every time you switch. b. Yes. You know where the sun is best for tomatoes, sweet peas and other plants, and so it’s ideal to plant them in that best spot every year. c. No. Who wants to grow the same thing every year? d. No. Different plants deplete the soil of different nutrients, and so it’s best to rotate.

4. It’s a good idea to save seeds because: a. You are playing a part in preserving genetic variety and biodiversity. b. You are preserving varietal characteristics you want. c. You are creating varieties specifically adapted to your particular microclimate and soils. The seeds from the best plants of each generation will give you increasingly better plants. d. All of the above.

3. Who uses the most pesticides per acre of land? a. Farmers, who must use more pesticides than they’d like because their crops feed the world, and pests become resistant. b. Homeowners, who use pesticide on their lawns and gardens. c. Pot farmers, who use chemicals meant for lawns. d. Apartment dwellers, who want to use up the bottles of pesticide they buy and have only a couple of planters to put the stuff on.

5. The best Xeriscape means: a. A mix of plants that take little or no irrigation beyond the natural rainfall. b. Rocks. Lots of rocks. c. Letting nature reclaim your yard so there is zero landscaping. That’s what the word means. d. Wooden decks and some geraniums in terracotta planters. 6. Invasive species to avoid planting in Colorado include: a. Oregon grape. b. Rabbitbrush.

2. d. Rotating your crops will also reduce pest problems and diseases harbored in the soil while maintaining soil structure. Even if you have only one place in your garden that’s sunny enough for tomatoes, it’s best not to plant them there every year. 3. b. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, homeowners use up to 10 times more chemical pesticide per acre keeping up their lawns. That’s to the great detriment of pollinators, frogs and other beneficial species. However, if you answered c., give yourself a pat on the back. The studies aren’t in yet, but medical marijuana samples in California showed up to 1,600 times the legal amount of pesticide residue.

JANUARY 2015

7. Colorado gardeners can grow luscious, huge rhododendrons if they: a. Move, preferably to a coastal area with acidic soil. b. Only use well water on them. c. Grow them in the full sun. d. Grow them in containers with acidic soil.

HOW TO SCORE Give yourself 20 points for every right answer. • 120 to 140: You know your stuff! Time to start advising the neighbors. • 60 to 100: Spend a little more time at the Colorado State

ANSWERS 1. d. The Colorado State University Extension has a wealth of information for Colorado gardeners, both new and native, with suggestions to outwit Colorado conditions.

c. Oxeye daisies. d. All of the above.

University Extension website, 4. d. But remember that hybrids will not reproduce true to type.

at a class or with those gar-

5. a. Xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros, meaning dry. It means landscaping in a way that reduces the need to irrigate beyond the natural rainfall.

• 40 or below: Apartment liv-

6. c. Oxeye daisies readily naturalize in Colorado, crowding out native species. The Colorado State University Extension names them, along with yellow and Dalmatian toadflax, as the three most problematic, invasive herbaceous plants in the state. 7. a. Sorry, Colorado’s alkaline soil and water kills “rhodies,” as does the harsh sunshine and cold. You may find success with dwarf rhododendrons in big containers with acidic soil in dappled shade. Keep them carefully watered, not too much and not too little.

dening books. You’ll get there.

ing actually has a lot going for it. No lawns to mow, no pesky house maintenance and lots of neighbors close by. On the other hand, every gardener begins as a beginning gardener.

Read

previous gardening columns at coloradocountrylife. coop. Search for Gardening. Kristen Hannum is a native Colorado gardener. Email or write her with wisdom or comments at garden ing@coloradocountrylife.org. coloradocountrylife.coop

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JANUARY 2015

[outdoors]

In With the Old, Out With the New Fly-fishing gear is coming full circle BY DENNIS SMITH

I WiseSaver

It’s a new year! And that means you most likely resolved to eat healthier and exercise more, right? This year, while you’re making resolutions, consider resolving to boost the energy efficiency of your home.

JANUARY 2015

I know I say this every January, but I can’t believe the year is over already and we’re celebrating the next one. But now that it’s here, I also can’t help but wonder what radical, new earth-shaking developments the tackle manufacturers will try to lay on us in the coming year. I’ve been fly-fishing long enough now to recognize that, rod, reel and line makers like to promote their latest and greatest inventions as “ingenious, revolutionary state-of-the-art products capable of delivering unheard of performance and outstanding value.” Most, in fact, are merely extraordinarily overpriced evolutionary enhancements to the same old equipment we used for a hundred years. I mean, regardless of whether they’re made from spiral wound fiberglass, vertically aligned carbon filaments boron with titaniumdampened strips of magnesium oxide, fly rods are still fishing poles, right? Long, skinny sticks with line guides and cork handles we use to catch fish. And all that scientific sounding mumbo jumbo about state-of-the-art performance usually has more to do with the manufacturer’s shop-floor technique and marketing strategy than it does with actual product performance. Even if it’s true some new-age fly rods are capable of slinging a line 100 feet or more, not one in 100 fly fishermen can cast that much line, no matter what kind of “thunder stick” they use. And fewer still are capable

of controlling even half that much line on a moving river (where, by the way, more than 90 percent of us conduct our fly-fishing efforts). And, if we’re perfectly honest with ourselves, most of us probably catch the majority of our fish within 10 to 20 feet of the river bank. Ironically it seems, the longer one fly fishes, the more likely one is to grow weary of acquiring the latest in razzledazzle, high-performance rods and peripheral equipment and to revert to familiar old gear. This may explain, in part, why we’re seeing a lot more bamboo rods on the streams again. And you may have noticed that fiberglass fly rods are making a comeback too. Manufacturers like Russ Peak and the Scott Rod Company are telling us their new fiberglass rods cast just like the best bamboo rods ever made and may be the ultimate in fly-casting instruments. So we’re back to bamboo again. Hmmm. The majority of guys that I fly fish with now all fish with bamboo, and it didn’t take much arm twisting to get me to join their ranks. Of course, most of us are old guys who started out with bamboo back in the day. So it might just be we were lured by the subtle tug of nostalgia and a suppressed desire to relive old memories. But it also seems weirdly prophetic that, after having tried all the “latest and greatest” stuff for decades, we mysteriously came back to our roots. Happy New Year.

Miss an issue? Catch up at coloradocountrylife.coop. Search for Outdoors.

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[energy tips]

FIRST IN FAUCETS

New technologies save energy BY JAMES DULLEY

M Colorado’s General Assembly Convenes January 7 Order copies of the printed directory for only $1 each at 303-455-4111 or at crea@coloradocountrylife.org or get the APP!

AFTER JANUARY 7, DOWNLOAD CREA’S 2015 LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORY APP FROM GOOGLE PLAY OR THE APP STORE FOR ONLY 99¢

COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION 5400 WASHINGTON ST. • DENVER, CO 80216 • CREA.COOP

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Photo courtesy of Moen

STAY IN TOUCH WITH LEGISLATORS

Most people think of a kitchen faucet as a simple valve to turn water on or off and to set the water temperature. But the proper selection of a kitchen faucet has a significant impact on water and energy savings, not to mention convenience, health and kitchen decor. The most recent, convenient and efficient kitchen faucet is controlled when it detects the user. Without the need to turn on or off the water via the handle, the water flow is controlled with the wave or touch of a hand. This provides significant water and energy savings, particularly when rinsing during food preparation and washing dishes by hand. For most people, using a standard faucet consumes more water and energy when washing dishes by hand than when running a properly loaded, efficient dishwasher. With these new faucet features, hand-washing dishes can be more efficient than the The wave of a hand over dishwasher. the proximity sensor turns water on and off. Another advantage of these innovative faucets is the handle is touched less often, so the attractive finish lasts longer. Also, with all the health concerns today about diseases from cross contamination of foods, touching the handle less is a real plus; few people wash the handle each time they touch it. There are two no-hands technologies. One type detects the slight electrical charge from your touch to open or close a special valve. This way, you can hold several plates in each hand while doing dishes and tap anywhere on the faucet fixture with your elbow or forearm to start the water flow and stop it when rinsing dishes. The other technology has a proximity sensor on the top and in the front of the faucet neck. Waving a hand over the top sensor triggers the solenoid. This requires one free hand. The sensor on the front of the neck senses hands when they are in a typical hand-washing position. Learn more about new faucet technologies at coloradocountrylife.coop. Look under the Energy tab for Energy Tips.

JANUARY 2015

[marketplace]

JANUARY 2015

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[marketplace]

Start the new year off right. Place an ad in MarketPlace and watch your business grow. Call Kris at 303-902-7276 for more information.

" T he trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it." — Patrick Young coloradocountrylife.coop

“Like” us on Facebook Facebook.com/ COCountryLife JANUARY 2015

[classifieds] TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/ month. Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay by credit card. Send your ad before the 10th of the month to: mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 phone: 303.902.7276 fax: 303.455.2807 email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org

ANTIQUE RESTORATION

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

ANTIQUE RESTORATION STUDIO – Antique conservation. Quality craftsmanship since 1974. Bayfield, CO, www.antiqueresdurango.com 970-884-1937. (988-04-15)

LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME opportunity. No sales, investment, risk. Training/website provided. Monthly income plus bonuses, benefits. Call Carrie 303-579-4207, www.workathomeunited.com/ ourabundance (932-02-15)

CHAIR CANING, hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-547-0723. chaanita@q.com (858-10-15)

ANTLERS ANTLER CHANDELIERS made only from REAL antlers. We are the manufacturer and we sell all of our products at wholesale prices; save as much as 60% from store prices. Many other antler products and mounts, including 56” elk mount, giant moose paddles, and elk antlers. Showroom now open year ’round in Granby, CO. 17 years at this location, over 900 satisfied customers! Designers: We can provide you a single item or a whole houseful. Call ! (970) 6273053. (085-09-15) BOOKS/CDs/DVDs CHANT OF A CHAMPION: Auctioneering DVD from World and International Champion Auctioneer John Korrey. Let John show you how to improve all aspects of your auctioneering chant. Order online at www.chantofachampion.com (210-03-15) THE MINER’S CAP, vivid retelling of the 1914 Ludlow Massacre. Appropriate for both young readers and adults. Availability: bookstores, museum shops, libraries, and online. (199-04-15)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.)

JANUARY 2015

PIANO TUNING PAYS. Learn with American School home-study course. Tools included. Call for info. 800-497-9793. (158-01-15)

FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

TOYS

OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS - $380 with warranty. Also sell portable concentrators and oxygen supplies. Repair and service of equipment. Aspen Concentrator Repair Service 719-471-9895 (040-04-15)

½ ACRE LOT FOR SALE CRESTONE, CO $12,600. High up in Baca Grande Subdivision Chalet 1. Spectacular mountain and valley views await from this very special piece of property. Tap fees are paid. Contact owner at clarityjoy7227@ gmail.com (218-01-15)

HAND LAUNCH GLIDERS – Tough and suitable for children. Easy to assemble. Models come prebalanced. Excellent wing profile ensures long flights. Can be converted to radio control. www.flyingfunco.com (201-01-15)

2 ACRES, BEAUTIFUL VIEW, lots in southeast Arizona. Water, gas, electricity available. 928-359-2251 (203-01-15)

KAUAI VACATION RENTAL, 2bdr, full kitchen. Minutes from beaches. $600/wk. 808-245-6500; makanacrest.com; kauaiweddings. com. (756-05-15)

FREE FREE BOOKS/DVDS. Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com 888-211-1715. (814-04-15) YOU FOUND THE TREASURE. Send an email with the number of classified ads on pages 28-29 to classifieds@coloradocountrylife. org. Subject line MUST say “Classified Contest.” Include name, mailing address and phone number in email. We’ll draw one name on January 15 from those who enter. Winner gets a $25 gift card.

INSURANCE

35 ACRES, Huerfano County. Great views of Spanish Peaks. Will sell or trade for land in Weld County. OWC. 303-883-4835 (209-02-15) 40 acres, 15 miles west of Walsenburg, CO on CR520. Fenced. Prime grazing. Small 2bd recently upgraded trailer on property with tenant. 8-10 gal./min. domestic well. $89,500. Serious offers considered. 719-251-1131, 719-9890850, 719-738-3500. (207-02-15)

WORK LESS & LIVE MORE! MiaBellaNation.com Department #745 (831-02-15)

DurangoColoradoInsurance.com *FREE EXPERT Insurance Advice for Self-Employed* Servicing Beautiful Colorado 970-385-4763. (128-01-15)

80 IRRIGATED ACRES ranchland for rent. Mancos, Colorado. jjtranch@ gmail.com 817-760-1883 leave a message. (206-02-15)

CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION

MACHINERY & PARTS

OWN PROPERTY? NEED INCOME? We’ll rent exclusive hunting rights from you. Looking for antelope, goose, duck, coyote, & prairie dog habitat. Encourage young sportsmen by providing safe, private access. You make the rules. 303-460-0273 (069-04-15)

www.clockrepairandrestoration. com DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Clocks bought and sold. bob.scott@usa.net Call Robert 970-247-7729, (109-04-15)

FOR SALE ABOUT 100 HANDYMAN hand tools for sale. Ft Collins, 970-484-1477 (216-02-15) FIREWOOD – Limbed to 51” length — $50.00 per 8’ pickup. Blocked to 17” by request - $65.00. You pick up. West Loveland. 720-352-3580 (939-02-15) GRASSFED YAK AND BISON meat for sale. Delicious and nutritious. Delivery available. Quarter, half, or whole. 720-256-3364. (029-04-15) MOSS ROCK, Colorado – 150 pallets of Veneer Moss Rock. Reddish brown, lots of moss. All sizes. Near Weston Co. Call Paul for details, 720-379-8289 (215-04-15)

www.sawmillexchange.com SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North America’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings. THE place to sell equipment. 800-459-2148. (26709-15)

MISCELLANEOUS FREE BANKRUPTCY ADVICE (877) 933-1139 or Non-profit Debt Relief (888) 779-4272 or Tax Relief (888) 523-0209. (213-01-15)

POULTRY & GAMEBIRDS FREE COLOR CATALOG. 193 varieties, Cornish Cross, standard breeds, fancy chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, bantams, guineas, pheasants, quail, supplies, video. 417-532-4581. PO Box 529, Lebanon, MO 65536. www.CackleHatchery. com. (876-08-15)

The classified ads December winner was Barrett Chezik of Wiggins.

RELIGION BECOME AN ORDAINED Minister by correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7558 West Thunderbird Rd, Ste 1 - #114, Peoria, AZ 85381. http://www.ordination.org (44106-15)

VACATION RENTAL

VACATION RENTAL KONA, HAWAII, Paradise Villa condo located on the 18th fairway of Kona Country Club with sweeping ocean views; 3bdr, 2ba specials. (503) 369-2638; www. konacondo.info (116-03-15) VAIL DUPLEX – 3bd, 2.5ba, garage; on bus route; 3 night minimum. $250/night, $1700/week. 303-4432607 (212-01-15)

WANTED TO BUY MOSS ROCK, Colorado or Wyoming Moss Rock -– I will buy your moss rock or sell it for you. All types, colors, and sizes considered; the more moss the better, the more unusual, the better. Call Tim for details, 303-588-5021 (208-02-15) NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@hotmail.com (817-06-15) OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1975. Call Wes 303-757-8553. (889-02-15)

FIND HIDDEN TREASURES IN THE CLASSIFIEDS? Read through the ads and FIND the CCL classified explaining how to win a $25 gift card.

It’s easy. You could WIN. coloradocountrylife.coop

[funny stories] WANTED TO BUY

WANTED TO BUY

OLD COWBOY STUFF–hats, boots, spurs, chaps, Indian rugs, baskets, etc. ANYTHING OLD! Mining & railroad memorabilia, ore carts! We buy whole estates. We’ll come to you! Call 970-759-3455 or 970-5651256. (871-03-15)

OLD POCKET WATCHES – working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209 watchdoctor@hotmail.com. (87006-15)

WANTED: JEEP CJ OR WRANGLER. Reasonably priced. No rust buckets. 888-735-5337 (099-04-15)

OLD GAS AND OIL items: Gas pumps, advertising signs, globes, etc. Pieces, parts, etc. considered. Also 1932-34 Ford cars and trucks, parts and pieces, too. Any condition. Brandon, 719-250-5721. (519-11-15)

WANT TO PURCHASE minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. (402-03-15)

WE PAY CASH for minerals and oil/gas interests, producing and nonproducing. 800-733-8122 (09902-15)

WANT TO PURCHASE rear axle for Gibson Model D tractor or complete rear end assembly. Bob, 719-598-2310. (217-01-15)

Send us photos of you with Colorado Country Life

We’re Looking for photos of readers and their copy of Colorado Country

Life. Got a great picture of you or your family member with the magazine at some fun place? Send it and your name and address to info@coloradocountrylife.org. We’ll post it on our Facebook page and on January 15 we’ll draw a winner from the submissions and send that winner a $25 gift card.

On New Year’s Day, Kelton’s dad insisted he eat at least one black-eyed pea. After much crying and fussing, the 4-yearold finally put one in his mouth and started chewing. Kelton grimaced, shivered, shook, gagged and gagged some more. His mother told him to take a drink and wash it down. After taking a big drink he said, “Umm, that was good!” Terry Wallace, Springfield One very cold, snowy winter day, only the pastor and one farmer arrived at the country church. The pastor said, “Well, I guess we won’t have a service today.” The farmer replied, “Heck, even if only one cow shows up at feeding time, I feed it.” The pastor obliged and did the entire service. As the farmer was leaving, the pastor shook his hand and asked, “How did I do?” “It was OK,” the farmer replied. “But if only one cow shows up at feeding time, I don’t drop the full load on it.” Bonnie Stafford, Loveland

On Sunday morning, as my 7-year-old niece and I were leaving church, I stopped to chat with the priest. Upon walking away, I said to the priest, “Thank you, Father.” With a shocked expression, my niece asked, “He’s your dad?” Charlotte Medina, Denver

Because I am an older pregnant mother, my doctor is constantly referring to the complications that may arise because of my age. So at the end of my last appointment, he said, “I’ll see you in four weeks.” I replied dryly, “Yes, you can tell me all about how old I am again.” To which he responded, “Oh, no. At that appointment we’ll talk about your weight.” Rebecca Blanchard, Colorado Springs

DECEMBER WINNER

This month’s winning photo with the magazine shows professional skydivers Stanton (Dink) Snyder (left) and Rusty Bobby Wardlow (right) sharing a story and a joke with pilot Nick Sharan (behind skydivers) and skydiving student Ralph Novak (not pictured) on their way to altitude over the Fremont County Airport near Penrose.

coloradocountrylife.coop

We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. Send your 2015 stories to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email funnystories@coloradocountrylife.org. Don’t forget to include your mailing address, so we can send you a check.

$15 JANUARY 2015

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Wrapped in Comfort

Boost the bond with your baby comfortably and cutely with a Boba Wrap, made by Boba in Boulder. Simply tie the Boba Wrap around your body, tuck baby safely inside and enjoy holding your little one without surrendering the use of your hands. The Boba Wrap is made with soft cotton interweaved with spandex that holds its form throughout the day. The wrap is designed without fasteners, so there is no need to worry that hardware will dig into you or baby. In addition, the stretchy fabric is convenient for mothers who are breastfeeding. The Boba Wrap holds babies 7 to 35 pounds. It comes in a range of colors including black, bamboo and sangria and are available in solid colors and patterned designs. Prices range from $37.95 to $49.95. For more information and to order, call 888567-9727 or visit boba.com.

Dandy Diaper Bags Fashion Meets Function

Your friends will never guess you’re carrying a diaper bag if it’s a JP Lizzy. These bags carry all the essentials you and your baby need when you’re out and about, but with a fashionable flair. Whether your style calls for punches of color, pretty prints or simple and sophisticated, the Centennialbased company has a diaper bag you’ll be proud to wear on your shoulder. JP Lizzy bag prices range from $47 to $98. Visit jplizzy.com to order yours. 30

JANUARY 2015

Daddy’s Diaper Bag

A man doesn’t have to lug around a frilly diaper bag just because he’s on an outing with his little one. He should carry a bag that suits his style yet accommodates all of baby’s supplies. The DadGear Original Messenger bag sells from $89 to $110 and is available in 73 colors and patterns, many of which mom will marvel over as well. For more information and to order from the Colorado company, call 303-221-1511 or visit dadgear.com.

A Book of Dreams

Imagine Childhood is a business based in Castle Rock that aspires to inspire children to tune in to their imaginations. So it’s no wonder the store’s owner, Sarah Olmsted, wrote the book Imagine Childhood: Exploring the World Through Nature, Imagination and Play, featuring an assortment of activities children can enjoy to foster their imaginations. Inside Imagine Childhood you’ll find projects such as creating a paint can banjo, a magic lantern projector or a bird of paradise mask. Olmsted’s own imagination translates beautifully into the pages of Imagine Childhood; she brings to life excitability, adventure and inspiration with her vivid narration. Enter our January contest for a chance to win a copy of Imagine Childhood by emailing your name, address and phone number to contests@coloradocountrylife. org. Be sure to include “Imagine Childhood” in the subject line. We will choose a winner on January 21. Find out more about the book and shop the store by visiting imaginechildhood.com.

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OCTOBER 2014

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OCTOBER 2014