Colorado Country Life January 2018 Grand Valley by American MainStreet Publications

Health EXCLUSIVE

Chicago Doctor Invents Affordable Hearing Aid Outperforms Many Higher Priced Hearing Aids

Reported by J. Page

CHICAGO: A local board-certi�ied Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician, has shaken up the hearing aid industry with his new line of medical-grade, affordable hearing aids. These revolutionary

hearing aids are designed to help millions of people with hearing loss who cannot afford—or do not wish to pay—the much higher cost of traditional hearing aids.

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“Perhaps the best quality-toprice ratio in the hearing aid industry” — Dr. Babu,

public actually came from a cell phone he had just purchased. “I felt that if someone could devise a smart phone for about $700 that could do all sorts Board-Certified ENT Physician of things, I could create a hearing The doctor knew untreated hearing loss aid at an affordable price.” could lead to depression, social Affordable Hearing Aid isolation, anxiety, and symptoms Superb Performance consistent with Alzheimer’s disease. He didn’t know why hearing aids were The high cost of hearing aids is a result so expensive when the prices on so of layers of middlemen and expensive many consumer electronics like TVs, unnecessary features. The doctor DVD players, cell phones, and digital concluded that it would be possible to develop medical-grade hearing aids cameras had fallen. without sacri�icing the quality of components. Since Medicare and most private The result - MDHearingAid® insurance plans do not cover the costs Starting at $199 of hearing aids, which can cost between MDHearingAid declared to be the $2,000-$6,000 for a pair, many of the best low-cost hearing aids that doctor’s patients could not afford the amplify the range of sounds expense. The doctor’s goal was to �ind a associated with the human voice solution that would help with the most without overly amplifying common types of hearing loss at an background noise. affordable price, similar to the “onesize-�its-most” reading glasses Tested by Leading available at drug stores. He evaluated Doctors and Audiologists numerous hearing devices and sound The MDHearingAid line of aids were ampli�iers, including those seen on rigorously tested by leading ENT television. Without fail, those were physicians and audiologists who found to amplify bass/low frequencies unanimously agree that the sound (below 1000 Hz) and were not effective quality and output in many cases amplifying the frequencies related to exceeds more expensive hearing aids. the human voice.

Inspiration from a Surprising Source

The doctor’s inspiration to defeat the powers-that-be that kept inexpensive hearing aids out of the hands of the

RATING

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[contents] 4 5 6 7 12 14 16 20 22 24 25 28 29 30

JANUARY 2018

VIEWPOINT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Volume 49, Number 1

COMMUNITY EVENTS YOUR CO-OP NEWS NEWS CLIPS INDUSTRY COVER STORY RECIPES GARDENING

Barbara Pfeif, a Mountain Parks Electric member from Brighton, shares beautiful, tranquil scene.

OUTDOORS

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH US

ENERGY TIPS

coloradocountrylife.coop

CLASSIFIEDS INSTAGRAM PIC OF THE MONTH

FUNNY STORIES

PINTEREST SNEAK PEAK

DISCOVERIES

[cover] A Colorado Mounted Ranger volunteers at a community event in Fort Lupton. Photo by Chris Coleman. THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION COMMUNICATIONS STAFF Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor; mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Cassi Gloe, CCC, Production Manager/Designer; cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org Kylee Coleman, Editorial/Admin. Assistant; kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING Kris Wendtland, Ad Representative; advertising@coloradocountrylife.org | advertising@coloradocountrylife.org | 303-902-7276 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 Street, Denver, CO 80216-1731. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. ©Copyright 2018, Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights. EDITORIAL Denver Corporate Office, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216; Phone: 303-455-4111 | mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org | coloradocountrylife.coop | facebook.com/COCountryLife | Twitter.com/ COCountryLife | Pinterest.com/COCountryLife | YouTube.com/COCountryLife1 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. 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 $4.44 per year (37 cents per month), paid from equity accruing to the member. For nonmembers, a subscription is $9 per year in-state/$15 out-of-state. SUBSCRIPTIONS National Advertising Representative: American MainStreet Publications | 611 S. Congress Street, Suite 504 | Austin, TX 78704 | 800-626-1181 POSTMASTER Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216

COCountryLife posted: Sweeten your cold nights with this delicious cocoa. Get the recipe at coloradocountrylife.coop. #cocoa #coldoutside #coldweather #recipes

FAVORITE TWEETS

COCountryLife pinned: Give this spicy bean dip a try. It will be a hit at the party! Get the recipe at coloradocountrylife.coop.

FACEBOOK CHATTER

ColoradoREA posted: CREA’s annual Legislative Directory app will be live January 2. Download it on your droid or iPhone for 99¢

COCountryLife posted: We’ve loved the holiday treats at the office, but now …? What’s your favorite way to work off the holiday pounds?

MONTHLY CONTEST

Kick off your Super Bowl parties with great Colorado-made salsa. Enter to win three jars of salsa made by Colorado Cellars. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Contests for information on how to enter. We will choose a winner on Monday, January 15.

[viewpoint]

LIVIN’ LA VIDA CO-OP

After a few years, Colorado’s cooperative brands show up everywhere BY KENT SINGER CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG

There’s a great tradition in the electric co-op program where co-op memberowners have a chance to attend the annual meeting to get an update on the latest news from the co-op. While most co-op members attend the annual meeting to listen carefully to the important reports from the co-op’s accounting, engineering and legal Kent Singer departments regarding the activities of the co-op, in a few cases I suspect that folks attend for the free meal and the door prizes. Part of my job at the Colorado Rural Electric Association involves attending as many of these annual co-op meetings as possible. When I do, I’m usually treated like a member and I leave the meeting not only with a lot of good information but also with the same parting gift that goes to co-op members. This means that over the years I accumulated a vast collection of useful co-op branded items that enabled me to (with apologies to Ricky Martin) live “La Vida Co-op.” How so? Well, every morning I’m awakened by the jingle of my Southeast Colorado Power Association alarm clock and weather station. This thing not only has an alarm clock, it also tells me the temperature and barometric pressure outside so I know whether I’ll need a jacket to walk Ella (our border collie). When I get out of bed, I leave the lights off so as not to disturb my sleeping bride, but I’m able to avoid stumbling on my way to the kitchen because our hallway and bathrooms are lit with nightlights from Intermountain Rural Electric Association. After a quick drink of water from my K.C. Electric Association cup, I’m ready to slip on my San Isabel Electric Association jean jacket and San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative baseball cap and head out for my morning walk. After the walk (in winter months I use my Delta-Montrose Electric Association flashlight to see where we’re going), I turn on our United Power LED kitchen lights. I then pull out a knife from my Highline Electric Association cutlery set and slice some bananas to put on my oatmeal. Sometimes I use my Holy Cross Energy ice cream scoop to add a little extra nutrition to my morning kale smoothie. (Just kidding, I would never ruin a smoothie with kale.) 4

JANUARY 2018

I often make a to-do list for the day using my Empire Electric Association pen on my Yampa Valley Electric Association notepad. After reading the morning newspaper, I may use my Y-W Electric Association scissors to clip relevant articles to take to work. I pack up the articles and to-do list in my La Plata Electric Association portfolio and head to work. On weekends, the “Livin’ La Vida Co-op” lifestyle really gets amped up. For winter Broncos games, we fill up our Mountain View Electric Association thermos with hot chocolate and sit on our San Isabel Electric Association stadium seats with our San Miguel Power Association and Grand Valley Power blankets pulled around us for warmth. On really cold Sundays, I put on my Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association parka over my CREA fleece pullover (as far as I know, no co-op has yet put its logo on long johns). In the summer, we take our Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association insulated picnic basket to concerts in the park after filling it with cheese sliced on my White River Electric Association cutting board and vegetables peeled with my Highline Electric Association vegetable peeler. Sometimes I tee up at the golf course with my Mountain Parks Electric golf balls. After the round, I come home and put on my Morgan County Rural Electric Association chef’s apron (complete with bottle opener and beverage holder) and pull out my Southeast Colorado Power Association grilling tools to turn the steaks. Dinner on the back porch is illuminated with my Gunnison County Electric Association solar-powered camp light. Of course, “Livin’ La Vida Co-op” is about much more than the free gifts provided at co-op annual meetings. It’s really about the great service and value provided by Colorado’s electric co-ops that work tirelessly to keep your lights on and make your communities a better place to work and live. To that, I hope you will agree: “Viva Colorado’s Electric Co-ops!”

Kent Singer, Executive Director

coloradocountrylife.coop

Hidden Costs

[letters]

I read “National Energy Source Trends” (September ’17) with interest. I wonder how many Americans know that to increase natural gas usage from 20 percent to 30 percent, ratepayers had to underwrite power plant conversions from coal to gas. Perfectly functional coal-fired plants were scrapped and new gas plants replaced them at consumers’ expense. The cost is hidden in the rates. Both coal and natural gas are hydrocarbons. Do consumers know that their tax dollars subsidize all renewable sources of electricity and that the payback for those who purchase solar and wind sources is measured in decades? Joe Cascarelli, Fremont County Sangre de Cristo Electric member

YOU

can save a child from shivering through the night.

One in four Colorado households can’t afford to heat or light their homes. Become a HEAT HERO and join with Energy Outreach Colorado to protect families and seniors from being left in the cold. Your generous gift can keep your neighbors’ homes warm and bright.

YOUR superpower is warming hearts.

More Close Encounters

Close encounter with the rich and famous — I’ve had several with Sonny and Cher, a dream come true in the early 1970s. The first was in 1970 in Pennsylvania. After the show, I had an urge to walk behind stage, then to the left. I went down a hallway of doors, stopped at one and looked. There was Cher and her son. I got to visit for about a half hour. I got to meet them four more times in Ohio. Now I have been tweeting with Cher on Twitter for the past three or so years. Another dream come true. Gloria Montgomery, Granby Mountain Parks Electric member

Donate at energyoutreach.org/hero 95¢ out of every dollar we raise goes directly to needy Coloradans, earning top ratings and from: Morton_CoCountryLife_1.18.qxp_Layoutrecognition 1 12/5/17 3:09 PM Page 1

Salute to Solar Share

Kudos to Sangre de Cristo for taking on the Buena Vista Solar Project. This all started as a community effort by the Buena Vista Solar Share group, led by Sue Greiner, who brought the concept of a solar garden to the attention of SDCEA and Buena Vista. What started as a 100-kilowatt community garden blossomed, through SDCEA’s leadership, into something 20 times the size. Eric Simons, Buena Vista Sangre de Cristo Electric member

When you build with Morton, you build something that lasts. The quality of our materials, our craftsmen, and our industry-leading warranty will ensure your satisfaction for generations to come.

Buy now and save during our annual Building Value Days sale! Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name and full address. Send to Editor Mona Neeley at 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or at mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org. Letters may be edited for length. coloradocountrylife.coop

JANUARY 2018

[community events] [January] January 8 Durango Salsa Dance Classes VFW Hall 6:30-9 pm • 970-317-0742 January 10 Pueblo “Rogers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” Musical Broadway Theatre League broadwaytheatreleaguepueblo.com January 10-14 Snowmass Olympics Skiing and Snowboarding Qualifying Events Snowmass Ski Area aspensnowmass.com January 11-14 Aspen Wintersköl™ Downtown Aspen 970-925-1940 • aspenchamber.org January 11 Aspen Aspen History Crash Course and Aspen Extreme Film showing Wheeler Opera House 5:30 pm • 866-449-0464 January 11-14 Denver International Sportsmen’s Expos Colorado Convention Center sportsexpos.com January 12 Fraser Pregnancy Resource Connection Fundraising Banquet Young Life Crooked Creek Ranch Preregistration Required 970-887-3617 pregnancyresourceconnection.org January 12-14 Lakewood “Into the Woods” Theater Performance Lakewood Cultural Center lakewood.showare.com

January 13 Colorado Springs Winter Woodland Wonders Walk Fox Run Regional Park Prepaid Registration Required 10 am • 719-520-6387

National Western Stock Show

January 13-14 Estes Park Winter Festival Estes Park Events Complex visitestespark.com

The National Western Stock Show is back with all kinds of family fun, including rodeos, bull riding, Xtreme Dogs performances, Dancing Horses® shows, kids’ activities, a Junior Livestock Auction, Western art, a parade and more. For more information, call 866-464-2626 or visit nationalwestern.com. Photo courtesy of National Western Stock Show.

January 18-21 Golden Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering American Mountaineering Center coloradocowboygathering.com January 19-21 Denver Colorado Indian Market & Southwest Showcase The Denver Mart indianmarket.net January 20 Greeley “An Evening with Groucho” Comedy Show Union Colony Civic Center 7:30 pm • 970-356-5000 January 20 Keystone “Pinkalicious the Musical” Warren Station Center for the Arts 2:30 and 6:30 pm • 970-423-8992 January 20 Monument Ice Fishing Tournament Monument Lake 9 am-1 pm • woundedwarriorusa. com January 20 Pueblo “Buyer & Cellar” Theater Performance Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center 7:30 pm • 719-295-7200 January 20 Tabernash Stagecoach Classic Race and Tour Devil’s Thumb Ranch 7:30 am-5 pm • 970-726-5632

January 6-21 National Western Complex, Denver

January 22-29 Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships Riverwalk Center gobreck.com January 24 Georgetown Historic Georgetown Tea Dusty Rose Tea Room Reservations Required 12-2 pm • 303-866-2394 January 24 Pagosa Springs Local Appreciation Day Wolf Creek Ski Area wolfcreekski.com January 25-28 Aspen Winter X Games Aspen Buttermilk Mountain xgames.espn.com January 26-28 Granby Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest Lake Granby Register by Jan. 19 6:40 am • granbychamber.com January 27 Durango Beyond the Badge 1881-1949 Book Overview Animas Museum 1 pm • 970-247-7972 January 27 Longmont “Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant” Family Concert Vance Brand Civic Auditorium 4 pm • longmontsymphony.org January 27 Manitou Springs Great Fruitcake Toss Memorial Park 1-3 pm • 719-685-5089

JANUARY 2018

January 31 Steamboat Springs Moonlit Snowshoe Tour Emerald Mountain 5-7 pm • 970-871-9151

[February] February 6 Littleton Free Admission Day Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield 720-865-3500 • botanicgardens.org February 7-11 Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival Various Steamboat Springs Locations steamboatwintercarnival.com February 8-11 Southeastern Colorado Counties High Plains Snow Goose & Heritage History Festival Various Southeastern Colorado Counties highplainssnowgoose.com

SEND CALENDAR ITEMS

TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO:

Calendar, Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216; fax to 303455-2807; or email calendar@ coloradocountrylife.org.

Please send name of event, date, time, venue, brief description, phone number, a photo, if you have one, and email and/or website for more information. coloradocountrylife.coop

GRAND VALLEY POWER LINES

GVP’S NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS TOM WALCH || CEO

New Year’s resolutions have been around for centuries, prompting people to set goals that they pursue for the next 12 months. At Grand Valley Power, our focus has always been to provide safe, reliable, affordable electricity to our members. In 2018, we’re adding some new resolutions that will enhance our service to members. For this year, we’re planning on improving system reliability in 2018. Our operations and engineering departments laid out plans for upgrading our Orchard Mesa Substation. What this means to members is continued reliable energy when you need it. As our system grows and ages, upgrades are needed to ensure our system integrity is intact. Various other equipment upgrades will commence in the new year, including meter upgrades and continued tree trimming efforts to alleviate any potential safety

Powering Your

Future

We’re awarding

$14,000

BOARD MEETING NOTICE

Grand Valley Power board meetings are open to the members, consumers and public. Regularly scheduled board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the headquarters building located at 845 22 Road, Grand Junction.

Boryanam / Freepik

in scholarships

Scholarship applications are due by March 1, 2018

Apply today at gvp.org coloradocountrylife.coop

issues and power outages on our system. Look for more information on these system upgrades in the coming months. Another resolution is positioning ourselves as technology leaders in cybersecurity. In 2017, GVP’s information technology department was accepted to participate in the RC3 program, short for Rural Cooperative Cybersecurity Tom Walch Capabilities Program. Building a culture of cybersecurity will reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and will ultimately protect our members, their personal data and our system integrity. It’s not a surprise that many of our members today find information by using mobile devices to access the internet. A resolution for our members is to enhance member experiences. During the year, we’re upgrading our website to be user friendly, easier to navigate and accessible to all devices. We want to be a one-stop resource for information regarding your electric service. In 2018, you’ll begin to notice our refreshed logo with the yellow bolt — still representative of our 1936 roots. In addition, we’ll ask our members what we can do to further improve our service and communications to you through surveys. Listening improves understanding, builds trust, strengthens relationships and fosters cooperation. So, how are we keeping to our resolutions? The same way many of us do. Through accountability and our commitment. Our guiding principles and cooperative values are what drive us every day to meet our goal of empowering lives with hometown service. We’re ready for the new year and for the challenges ahead.

The monthly agenda is posted in the lobby of the headquarters building 10 days before each meeting and posted on the GVP website. If anyone desires to address the board of directors, please let us know in advance and you will be placed on the agenda.

COMMENTS TO THE CEO

You are a member of a cooperative and your opinion does count. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please let me know by writing to Ask the CEO, P.O. Box 190, Grand Junction, CO 81502, or send an email to me at twalch@ gvp.org. Check out our website at gvp.org.

JANUARY 2018

GRAND VALLEY POWER LINES

APPLY NOW!

Scholarships available for furthering education

The data is clear: The cost of college tuition rises every year at both public and private institutions. According to U.S. News & World Report, between 1995 and 2015 “the average tuition and fees at private national universities jumped 179 percent, out-ofstate tuition and fees at public universities rose 226 percent since 1995 and in-state tuition and fees at public national universities grew the most, increasing a staggering 296 percent.” It can be difficult for even the most diligent of savers to properly anticipate and save for a college education. If you require additional money to attend the college of your choice — approximately 70 percent of students do — there are several scholarship options to consider that are sponsored by Grand Valley Power. All of the scholarship opportunities below are open to any applicant residing in a home served by GVP.

Jack Broughton-Colorado Mesa University Scholarship

The Jack Broughton-CMU Scholarship awarded by Grand Valley Power was named to honor the former general manager of Grand Valley Power, Jack Broughton. Jack was instrumental in helping to develop the mechanical engineering program at CMU. Thanks to an innovative partnership with the University of Colorado in Boulder, a student attending classes at CMU can receive a four-year CU mechanical engineering degree.

Western Colorado Community College Scholarship

Grand Valley Power also awards a $1,500 scholarship for applicants attending Western Colorado Community College. This scholarship is for use by any applicant who lives in GVP’s service territory and will be enrolled in any of WCCC’s program offerings. Applications for the Western Colorado Community College Scholarship are due March 1, 2018.

Western Colorado Community College Electric Lineworker Scholarship

This is a $2,000 scholarship to Western Colorado Community College’s electric lineworker program. This program prepares graduates to enter apprenticeship programs at electric utilities, such as Grand Valley Power. The electric utility industry is facing a shortage of lineworkers as the workforce ages. This career offers high pay, good benefits and job stability. Grand Valley Power encourages aspiring applicants to look at this career path and is happy to visit with any potential electric lineworkers. Applications are due for the WCCC Electric Lineworker Scholarship on June 1, 2018.

Selection Process

This scholarship is renewable for a total of four years if the student maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Applications received by March 1 for the GVP scholarships, the Jack Broughton-CMU Scholarship and the Western Colorado Community College scholarship will be reviewed by a committee of educators appointed by the board of directors. Applicants selected to receive scholarship awards will be notified by mail and/or email by April 1, 2018.

Applications are due for the Jack Broughton-CMU Scholarship on March 1, 2018.

A similar process will take place for the electric lineworker scholarship applications after the June 1 deadline.

Grand Valley Power Scholarships

Scholarship applications and details can be completed online this year at gvp.org/content/scholarships. You can also pick up applications at high school counseling offices, CMU’s financial aid office or at Grand Valley Power’s main office.

This $2,000 scholarship is not limited to mechanical engineering majors. However, mechanical engineering majors will receive additional consideration during the selection process.

Grand Valley Power will award six $1,500 scholarships to applicants from the Grand Valley Power service territory. These scholarships are granted for use at accredited colleges, universities and vocational schools for undergraduate education. Applications are due for the Grand Valley Power Scholarships on March 1, 2018.

JANUARY 2018

For questions about the scholarship program or requirements, please email scholarships@gvp.org or call us at 970-242-0040.

coloradocountrylife.coop

GRAND VALLEY POWER LINES

YOU GET THE CREDIT

Grand Valley Power retires more than $1 million to members

It’s time for you to get the credit — capital credits, that is — for helping build, sustain and grow your local electric cooperative. This winter, Grand Valley Power retires — or pays by cash — $1,294,881 to members like you. You share in the financial strength of your cooperative. So, what does this mean? Let’s begin with what capital credits are. When you signed up to receive electric service from GVP, you became a member of an electric utility. While investorowned utilities return a portion of any profits back to their shareholders, electric co-ops operate on an at-cost basis. So instead of returning leftover funds, known as margins, to folks who might not live in the same region or even the same state as you do, GVP allocates and periodically retires capital credits (also called patronage dividends, patronage refunds or patronage capital) based on how much electricity you purchased during a year. GVP members will receive capital credit retirements by mail, reflecting their contribution of capital to, and ownership of, the cooperative. The capital provided by members helps GVP keep the lid on rates, and reduces the amount of money it needs to borrow from outside lenders to build, maintain and expand a reliable electric distribution system. For more information on this part of the cooperative business, read the following Q & A.

Common Capital Credits Questions: WHAT ARE CAPITAL CREDITS?

An electric cooperative operates on an atcost basis by annually “allocating” to each member, based on the member’s purchase of electricity, operating revenue remaining at the end of the year; later, as financial conditions permit, these allocated amounts — capital credits — are retired. Capital credits represent the most significant source of equity for GVP. Since a cooperative’s members are also the people the co-op serves, capital credits reflect coloradocountrylife.coop

each member’s ownership in and contribution of capital to the cooperative. This differs from dividends investor-owned utilities pay shareholders, who may or may not be customers of the utility.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?

Member-owned, not-for-profit electric co-ops set rates to generate enough money to pay operating costs, make payments on any loans and provide an emergency reserve. At the end of each year, we subtract operating expenses from the operating revenue collected during the year. The balance is called an operating margin.

HOW ARE MARGINS ALLOCATED?

Margins are allocated to members as capital credits based on their purchases from the cooperative — how much power the member used. Member purchases may also be called patronage. GVP strives to

return capital credits to members on a 20-year cycle, with 60 percent from the oldest year and 40 percent from the most current year.

ARE CAPITAL CREDITS RETIRED EVERY YEAR?

Each year, the GVP Board of Directors makes a decision on whether to retire capital credits based on the financial health of the cooperative. During some years, the co-op may experience high growth in the number of new accounts, or severe storms may result in the need to spend additional funds to repair lines. These and other events might increase costs and decrease member equity, causing the board to reduce the capital credits retired in a given year. For this reason, GVP’s ability to retire capital credits reflects the cooperative’s strength and financial stability. [continued on page 10] 4

JANUARY 2018

GRAND VALLEY POWER LINES [continued from page 9]

HOW MUCH WAS RETIRED IN TOTAL FOR 2017?

For 2017, $1,294,881.97 was retired.

HOW OFTEN DO MEMBERS RECEIVE CAPITAL CREDIT RETIREMENTS?

The GVP Board of Directors makes a decision each November whether or not to retire capital credits. When the cooperative is strong enough financially and member equity levels are high enough, the board directs staff to retire some portion of past years’ capital credits.

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WHAT IF I MOVE?

If you move or no longer have electric service with GVP, it is important that you inform the cooperative of your current address so that future retirements can be properly mailed to you. If you purchased electricity during the years being retired, then you are entitled to a capital credit retirement even if you move out of the GVP service area. If GVP has your current address, then you will receive your retirement check by mail.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CHECK AMOUNT FOR A HOUSEHOLD TO RECEIVE?

The minimum a member receives is $15. Members traditionally receive a check in December. Due to the expense involved in processing printed checks, $15 is the minimum retirement check amount issued to members. Retirements less than $15 are accumulated year to year until the sum is equal to or greater than $15.

Cooperative Difference

As a not-for-profit cooperative, returning our members’ investment is one of the seven cooperative principles we live by. By distributing the money back to our members, that money gets spent in our communities, helping to strengthen our economy.

JANUARY 2018

use a qualified electrician for repair work

repair loose outlets; replace cracked, worn electric cords

watch for hot or discolored switch plates, flickering lights, or buzzing sounds.

use bulbs with if children are present correct wattage install tamper resistant outlets to protect get for the against shock regular fixtures check-ups unplug electrics if you for older smell something keep homes burning cords out of educate the walkways and use extension cords household high traffic temporarily, not as on electrical areas permanent wiring safety

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coloradocountrylife.coop

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[news clips]

Gov’s Ag Forum Focuses on Bridging Divisions The Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program is proud to host the 27th annual Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture on Wednesday, February 21 at the Renaissance Hotel on Quebec in Denver. Titled “Colorado’s Agricultural Impact: Economic, Environmental, Social,” the program will bring together producers, consumers, experts and other ag stakeholders. Presenting innovative and informative speakers, the program is aimed at getting beyond the polarizing rhetoric often found in today’s society. Since there can be divisive boundaries in agriculture between organic and conventional, urban and rural, large-scale and small-scale, the forum will focus on Colorado’s powerful history of collaboration and cooperation. This is what made agriculture in the Centennial State the second largest driver of the economy. The daylong event will challenge and equip attendees to seek novel alliances and ideas to benefit their own operations, the statewide industry and beyond. Register at governorsagforum.com.

Biomass, Waste Fuels Add to Resource Mix Biomass and waste fuels generated 71.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2016. That sounds like a lot, but it was only 2 percent of total generation in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s recently released annual electric power data. However, every resource is valuable and using biomass and waste fuels means less of other fuels is required. (Biomass fuels are defined as all non-fossil, carbon- or plant-based [biogenic] energy sources. Waste fuels are defined as all other non-biogenic wastes.) Wood solids accounted for nearly onethird of the electricity generated from biomass and waste. Most wood solids come from logging and mill residues; wood, paper and furniture manufacturing; and discarded large timber products, such as railway ties, utility poles and marine pilings.

CREA Board Member Joins National Group A Colorado woman will represent the West and Colorado’s electric cooperatives on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Director Advisory Group. Debbie Rose, president of the San Isabel Electric Association Board of Directors and San Isabel Electric’s representative to the Colorado Rural Electric Association Board of Directors, started her term on the national committee January 1. Rose, who lives in Beulah, will use this appointment to extend her commitment to working on issues that impact Colorado’s economy and the state’s rural communities. NRECA is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives. 12

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Municipal solid waste (MSW), which comes from landfills, provided 20 percent of biomass- and waste-generated electricity in 2016. EIA estimates that 51 percent of MSW-based electricity came from biogenic sources — wood, paper, food, rubber and yard trimmings were the most common sources. The remaining MSW came from such sources as plastics. Landfill gas is created by decomposing organic material in landfills. Its composition is about half methane (the primary component of natural gas) and half carbon dioxide. Landfill gas provided nearly 16 percent of 2016 biomass-generated electricity. The remaining biogenic fuels account for just 5 percent of biomass-generated electricity. Most other biomass gas generation comes from wastewater treatment plants. Colorado’s electric co-ops are involved with biomass and waste fuels in a variety of ways. One electric co-op works directly with a landfill gas facility, which captures the methane from 15 million tons of decomposing waste to generate 3 megawatts of capacity. Another electric co-op purchased part of its power supply from a biomass plant in Gypsum, the first biomass plant built in Colorado. And the co-op power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, worked with a variety of ag-based ventures using anaerobic digesters to generate electricity from animal waste. Electric co-ops continue to add additional renewable and sustainable fuels to their resource mix.

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[ news clips]

Cooperative Project Protects Sage-grouse Habitat Electric co-op power supplier Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, along with the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, recently completed a collaborative effort to permanently protect 505 acres of property in San Miguel County that provides This sage-grouse habitat in co-op territory was recovered important habitat for and improved. the federally threatened Gunnison sage-grouse. This prime piece of property was “This project was an conveyed to CPW to promote ongoing excellent example of conservation efforts in San Miguel County collaboration between the for the native bird. utility industry, the BLM and “For many years, CPW together with the CPW to mitigate impacts San Miguel Gunnison sage-grouse working to a federally threatened species while group identified this important piece of ensuring reliable power to our members,” habitat for the conservation of the bird,” said said Karl Myers, Tri-State’s transmission siting, Renzo DelPiccolo, area wildlife manager for permitting and environmental manager. “TriCPW in Montrose. “So when Tri-State worked State is grateful to our partners at Colorado cooperatively with BLM and the landowner Parks and Wildlife for their collaboration and to purchase this key property, we were engagement to help protect the areas that thrilled.” our members serve.” As part of its efforts to further sage-grouse The Miramonte Basin, where Dan Noble habitat protections during the rebuilding of a State Wildlife Area and the new mitigation southwestern Colorado transmission line, Tri- parcel are located, provides the core habitat State acquired the parcel and then donated it for the majority of Gunnison sage-grouse to CPW to own and manage. in the San Miguel Basin. For several years,

Metal Theft Remains Problem Despite Drop Insurance claims for metal theft continue to fall, but the problem is far from over for electric cooperatives across Colorado and the country, a new report shows. The National Insurance Crime Bureau said 28,040 claims were processed across the country from 2014 through 2016. That’s down 22 percent from the previous 2013 through 2015 report. However, that represents more than 28,000 times thieves stole copper and other metals from electric substations and power lines, as well as from water systems and other infrastructure. Copper accounted for 98 percent of the metals reported stolen and, for the most part, copper prices fell over that time — meaning thieves got less for coloradocountrylife.coop

their efforts. Lower prices may be part of the reason for the drop in thefts. According to Bloomberg, COMEX copper prices went from $3.69 per pound on January 4, 2013, to $2.50 per pound on December 30, 2016. However, prices were rising in 2017, and on November 24, 2017, copper closed at $3.19 a pound. For that reason, electric co-ops are vigilant as there may be a correlating rise in copper theft. “Thieves have been willing to go to almost any length to obtain the metal,” noted the NICB report. Electrical substations are frequently targeted, and some thieves have been electrocuted trying to steal live electrical wiring. This is why co-ops want to warn everyone that this is not a good way to try to make an extra buck.

CPW fitted birds with radio collars, and biologists learned that sage-grouse are reliant on the habitat in the area for breeding, nesting, brood-rearing and wintering. “This parcel has everything that Gunnison sage-grouse need and is one of the most important areas for the bird in the entire San Miguel Basin. Grouse have demonstrated that they use this property for the entire year,” DelPiccolo said. To protect Gunnison sagegrouse during the critical spring breeding season, the parcel will be closed to all activity from March 1 to May 15 every year. CPW will build a wildlife-friendly fence around the property, but until that project is complete the parcel is closed to the public. When the fencing project is finished, the area will be open to small- and big-game hunting during the regular seasons.

Western States Start Push to Be Ready for EVs

With more electric cars comes the need for more charging stations for those cars. A recent U.S. Department of Energy report outlines how much electric vehicle charging infrastructure is needed to support various market growth scenarios. As a way to be prepared for this growth, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper joined the governors from Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming in signing a memorandum to develop a regional electric vehicle charging network. It covers 5,000 miles of freeways, including interstates 10, 15, 25, 40, 70, 80, 84, 86, 90 and 94. States within this Regional Electric Vehicle West Corridor will coordinate funding opportunities, create minimum standards for EV charging stations and identify ways to factor in charging stations when developing building codes, metering policies and renewable energy projects. It is estimated that, if there are 15 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030, there will be a need for more than 600,000 workplace and public charging stations. JANUARY 2018

[industry]

DESIGNER ELECTRICITY IS TRENDING Trends and technology give you more control over your electricity BY PAUL WESSLUND

The thermostat on your wall marks a new era in electricity. Whether it’s a dial-style older than you or a digital model installed last month, it’s become more than just a way to set the temperature in your home. That familiar gadget is now a gateway to a world where consumers have more say over their electric service. You might call it designer electricity. New technology, new regulations and new ways of thinking are reshaping the utility industry. These days, consumers can regulate the temperature in their home more precisely. They can even generate their own electricity with rooftop solar panels and sell the excess power back to their utility. This new world started taking shape in the 1990s, says Andrew Cotter, a program manager for the Business and Technology Strategies Group of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Cutting costs and raising reliability for sensitive electronic equipment was top of mind. Companies were willing to pay extra for electric service that wouldn’t blink for even a fraction of a second. Other companies didn’t need such high reliability and looked for ways to pay less in return for occasional power interruptions. “This is a trend that’s been going on for a long time,” Cotter says. “It’s just starting in homes.” That little thermostat, he says, “can be the entry point for a lot of people to take advantage of smart home technology and be more energy efficient.” A new programmable thermostat can be set to avoid heating and cooling when you’re not home, or even set separate temperatures for rooms you don’t use often.

Energy Efficiency Efficient lightbulbs and other appliances have actually reduced electricity sales, even as the population increases, the economy improves and we use more electronic devices.

EFFICIENCY MAKES A DIFFERENCE And that’s just the beginning of ways consumers are making more of their own energy decisions. Highly efficient LED bulbs can be controlled from your smartphone. Washers and dryers sense how much water and heat needs to be used to clean and dry your clothes. All that efficiency makes a difference. Americans used about 2 percent less electricity in the past three years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. EIA expects that trend to continue for at least the next couple of years. “Efficient technologies really make a big difference,” Cotter says. While efficiency saves energy dollars, the story of battery storage 14

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Renewable Energy The use of rooftop solar panels is increasing enough so that some utilities notice a decrease in sales during the sunniest part of the day. Homeowners with solar panels are selling excess electricity back to the utility. shows the bigger picture of how consumers are putting utility decision-making into their own hands. The story began with homeowners using portable, motorized generators to power refrigerators and other crucial appliances during extended electric outages. Then battery technology improved, driven by the demand for smaller and stronger chargers for smartphones and other electronics. Battery companies thought their new and improved product could grab part of the portable generator market. Two years ago, Tesla, the high-end electric car company, announced a battery designed to look attractive enough to hang on your wall and provide backup power. Other companies followed. In addition to promising relief from power outages, Tesla promoted its battery to the growing renewable energy market. Homeowners installing solar panels on their roofs ran into a problem — they generated a lot of electricity in the middle of a sunny day, when no one was home to use it, and none at night, when they were home wanting to use electricity. These batteries could store the energy from the sunlight to use when the sun goes down. CO-OPS AND THE EMPOWERED CONSUMER More options for consumers complicate work for electric utilities. Their business model didn’t plan for consumers storing electricity, reversing the flow through power lines as they sell electricity back to the utility or for the declining sales resulting from energy efficiency. “Utilities are navigating a lot of difficult decisions. They’re not selling as many kilowatt-hours,” Cotter says. “They’re selling technology that reduces sales, so they’re working to come up with a sustainable business model. There are no easy answers.” Electric co-ops are well-suited to work toward those answers, Cotter says. He sees the member-owned, not-for-profit business structure as an advantage in a more consumer-centric industry. He says innovation can be tested broadly in the network made up of more than 900 electric co-ops across the country. He even sees a plus in co-op geography: Their service territories tend to be in rural areas.

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[ industry] “Co-ops are in a unique position, with long power lines that have to cover a much larger area,” he says. That is leading to use of energy storage technology to run pilot programs testing utilityscale batteries. “It might be really expensive to hook the last person up to the end of three or four miles of line. Co-ops might be in a more natural position to adopt batteries for use in those in remote locations.” No single co-op has to test all the new ideas, Cotter says. The nearly 1,000 co-ops share results from small pilot programs across the country. They’re experimenting with batteries, incorporating home renewable energy projects into the electric grid and making the most effective use of energy-efficient technologies. “Co-ops are developing a more robust understanding of how consumers want to use electricity,” Cotter says. “They are all working together so one co-op doesn’t have to do all the testing. There are no top-down solutions.” While the march toward more choices in electric service might seem inevitable, Cotter sees it as an uphill battle because of one key question: Is it worth it? “Do you want to spend $10,000 for a photovoltaic system on your roof and another $10,000 for a battery to avoid 45 minutes a year of power outage?” he asks. And that’s where your old-fashioned thermostat could put you on the cutting edge of the trend toward more customer choice: You can decide you like things the way they are. “People are generally happy with their electric service,” Cotter says. While a lot of hobbyists might want to design their own new

Bigger, Better Batteries Spurred by research into stronger batteries for electric cars and smartphones, you can now buy a battery powerful and pretty enough to hang on your wall as a backup device during power outages. Potential buyers should note: That cool gizmo can currently cost up to $10,000!

BATTERY

ways to manage their electricity, a lot of others “don’t want to pay money for hardware only to save a few dollars a year.” Cotter advises co-op members to check with their local electric co-op before making major power-use decisions. He says that in this new era of more energy options, vendors will be promoting batteries, solar panels and other gizmos. “Talk to your co-op first because they’re the local energy expert,” he says. “Vendors have a goal of selling products. The co-op, as a not-for-profit, member-owned utility, has a different perspective that will be more in your interest.” Paul Wesslund writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

SAFE ON THE BUS On an April morning in 2016, heavy, wet snow had accumulated, and the weight of it brought a power line down onto a moving bus with children on board. Clint Shults was driving the bus. “We started dragging power lines for the next at least 100 yards, and I knew we were in pretty tough shape,” he says. Fortunately, Clint and first responders knew the right steps to take to keep everyone safe. “I told my wife to call 911, let them know what was going on, and we had everyone stay on the bus,” Clint explains. Learn more and see the story at:

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[feature]

RANGERS TO THE RESCUE Colorado’s original police force provides volunteer support for today’s officers BY JULIE SIMPSON When disaster strikes, whether it’s a fire, flood or a search and rescue emergency, police and firefighters are the first people to come to our aid. But in many communities across Colorado, those first responders are backed up by another group of brave men and women: the all-volunteer Colorado Mounted Rangers. The Rangers have a long and storied history beginning all the way back in 1859, before Colorado was officially a state. Then they guarded gold shipments coming from the Pikes Peak gold rush. With the establishment of the Colorado Territory in 1861, the Rangers became the state’s official law enforcement agency. Over the years, the Rangers lost their official status, disbanded, reformed and, today, are regaining their official status as the Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve. A LOOK BACK AT SERVICE During their early years, Rangers protected the public and government officials, tracked down dangerous criminals and guarded mining profits. In the days of the Civil War, Rangers even contributed to the victory at the Battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico, where they kept Confederate forces from advancing toward Colorado gold mines. The early 1920s saw the Rangers enforcing Prohibition by busting smugglers and bootleggers and breaking up organized crime rings. However, the Rangers became unpopular because of their reputation for violence against striking miners, like those in Cripple Creek in 1894 or at the Ludlow Massacre of 1914. They were done in 1923, when Gov. William M. Sweet signed an order cutting all funding, effectively disbanding the Rangers. Though they existed only in memory for the better part of two decades, the Rangers 16

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were eventually reborn. A new administration under Gov. Teller Ammons felt that an organization with the long and colorful history of the Colorado Mounted Rangers should not be allowed to fade away. On February 21, 1941, the Rangers were reconstituted, this time as a single volunteer-based troop in Bailey, Colorado. As volunteer numbers grew and demand from local law enforcement increased, the CMR once again reorganized into multiple troops across the state in 1955. Since then, the Rangers continued to grow and change in order to best meet the needs of the communities they serve. The Colorado Mounted Rangers is currently classified as a statutorily authorized, state-

Top: Shoulder badges designate members of Colorado Mounted Rangers. Bottom: Volunteer Rangers help with traffic control at a community event in Fort Lupton. Photo by Chris Coleman

Colorado Ranger Sergeant Zebulon Montgomery “Monty” Pike in Trinidad, Colorado, with his Harley Davidson motorcycle equipped with a sidecar, circa 1923. Photo courtesy of CMR and Grandson Brian Pike. coloradocountrylife.coop

[ feature] In the 1920s, the Colorado Mounted Rangers helped fight organized crime in the state. Photo courtesy of CMR.

“ …They are the hardest working guys out there, and they never get paid a penny.” - Lieutenant Colonel Bill Tolbert wide law enforcement auxiliary or, in simpler terms, a group of volunteers who are legally recognized by the state to assist other law enforcement agencies. The name “Colorado Mounted Rangers” is a bit deceiving however, considering the Rangers no longer use horses as their primary means of transportation. The name has been kept as a historic nod to the organization’s origins, though a mounted search and rescue unit still functions out of Troop E serving Douglas and Elbert counties. TODAY’S VOLUNTEER RANGERS The Rangers are made up of 120 highly trained volunteers in four currently active troops spread across the state. Though troops are locally based, the Rangers respond to emergencies statewide, which means all troops might respond to a particular situation even if it is hundreds of miles from their usual base of operations. In addition to the mounted search and rescue unit, the Rangers also have a specialized chaplain unit to provide spiritual support during traumatic events, as well as a K9 unit, which boasts the state of Colorado’s first ever pit bull breed police dog named Kara, donated to the CMR this past summer. Though they can’t give traffic tickets or respond to domestic disputes, the Rangers perform numerous other services. These can include emergency response to natural disasters like floods and fires, terrorism recognition and response, security at large-scale events, VIP protection for occasions such as congressional delegations, prisoner transport, and even responding to bank robberies. In recent years, the Rangers have been an integral part of emergency response to such disasters as the Big Thompson flood, the Black Ridge fire, coloradocountrylife.coop

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[feature] the Hayman fire and the 2013 Front Range flood. The services they provide are particularly important in small rural communities where the typical police department only employs a chief and a few part-time deputies. “Small towns don’t have the budget or the personnel for large disasters, so we’re their favorite people during emergencies because we come in and provide a bunch of man-hours without costing them any money,” explains the Rangers’ Lt. Col. Bill Tolbert.

approved to attend certified POST academies, their program did include the same extensive training in the use of firearms, first aid and CPR and arrest protocol. It’s no wonder that close to 50 percent of all Rangers have prior military experience or that 20 percent are retired, transitioning or still-active law enforcement with other agencies. The Rangers’ training and experience is so highly regarded that young men and women interested in a law enforcement career often volunteer as a way to bolster their resumes. Because of their reputation for being qualified and hard working, the Rangers are always in high demand. The CMR currently maintains operational memorandums of understanding, or MOUs, with 55 law enforcement, fire and other governmental agencies across the state. Its Rangers work side by side in cases where a larger law enforcement presence may be required. On average, the Rangers provide 50,000 hours of volunteer service per year to local departments. “The average volunteer puts in 20-25 hours a month, and that’s a lot,” Tolbert says. He says that the demand for Rangers is always greater than the number of qualified volunteers. “I often have to tell departments we just don’t have the resources.” And the Rangers’ contribution to their communities is not limited only to largescale event response; the Rangers also offer education programs to help residents help themselves. These classes include CAPs, or community awareness programs, which teach community members how to recognize and report possible terrorism, as well as Refuse to Be a Victim classes, which teach commonsense situational awareness like parking under streetlights and basic self-defense. “We also work pretty closely with the town of Elizabeth’s high school and law enforcement to teach kids who are interested in law enforcement some basic training like self-defense, basic firearms and verbal deescalation,” Tolbert says. “It really helps the community feel more resilient, and the kids feel more resilient.”

“ Small towns don’t have the budget or the personnel for large disasters, so we’re their favorite people …”

- Lt. Col. Bill Tolbert

Mounted Rangers at the Estes Park Safety Fair in 2013. Photo courtesy of CMR.

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Tolbert, the state executive officer of the Colorado Mounted Rangers, was involved in disaster response with Homeland Security until he transitioned to a position with the Rangers. He also served as state chair over a committee of 40-plus agencies for disaster relief and even received a national award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for his work in disaster relief. He decided to join the Rangers five years ago because he was impressed by their dedication. “I saw those guys out there working so hard for no pay, and it really captured my interest,” he says. “I ended up being recruited; five years later I’m second in command. They are the hardest working guys out there, and they never get paid a penny.” The rigorous commitment of volunteering as a Ranger requires that high level of dedication. In order to be fully approved and active, volunteers must complete the same type Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST for short, required by the state to become a police officer. Although in the past the Rangers were not

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[ feature] MODERNIZING THE RANGERS The last 10 years marked yet another transition in the identity and organization of the Rangers. Increased standards in training, uniform and conduct, in addition to more rigorous screening procedures, caused some turnover in personnel and dismantled the impression of the Rangers as, in Tolbert’s words, “a group of cowboy vigilantes.” The CMR now employs the same vigorous hiring proceedings as police and sheriff ’s departments. Volunteers must undergo extensive background checks and psychological evaluations, provide multiple references and have their social media use evaluated. Tolbert estimates that the psych evaluations wash out around 20 percent of all applicants, ensuring that every Ranger is mentally as well as physically prepared for any situation they may encounter. In addition to changing public perception, these stringent requirements paid off with the state government. In March 2012, Senate Bill 12-072 was passed, officially returning the Colorado Mounted Rangers to state statutes for the first time in 85 years. The organization’s more official status strengthened relationships between the CMR and local law enforcement, increasing MOUs from 15 to 55 in just one year and boosting recruitment numbers. Functioning as a law enforcement agency without the same protections, full certifications and funding as a normal agency caused some problems for the Rangers, however. In 2016, the CMR, law enforcement agencies and state government officials decided that a detailed evaluation of the Rangers and their functioning as an organization needed to take place. A task force made up of representatives from multiple agencies was formed and, after nine months of evaluation, submitted its con-

clusions to Colorado Senate and House Judiciary committees in December 2016. It was determined that the Colorado Mounted Rangers should be made into an intergovernmental agency, or IGA, and transform from CMR into CLER, or the Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve, which would allow for several needed changes to take place. Most importantly, Rangers will now be able to attend official POST academy locations to receive the same official certification given to other law enforcement officers, and the Rangers will eventually be able to form their own POST training academy. The changes will continue to elevate the effectiveness of the Rangers and increase their ability to work closely with other law enforcement agencies. Current volunteers are set to begin official POST academy training in the spring, which will begin a new chapter in the history of the Rangers. Though recruitment was closed while the transition from CMR to CLER took place, applications to the Rangers will be considered again beginning this month. Qualified, motivated individuals are encouraged to apply. The Rangers’ well-organized website, coloradoranger.org, offers a wealth of information about the Rangers, a submission form for questions or requests and a detailed

description of steps in the application process. The next time you attend a summer festival or your community faces a fire or flood, keep your eyes open for the Colorado Rangers. It’s likely they will be there, keeping you safe. Give them a thank you from all of us who value their selfless service. Julie Simpson is a Texan who loves writing about her home state of Colorado.

Top: A Mounted Ranger instructor at a local firing range. Photo courtesy of CMR. Middle: A volunteer Colorado Mounted Ranger helps out at a local event in Fort Lupton. Photo by Chris Coleman. Bottom: A Mounted Ranger keeps crowds out of the bicyclists’ way at the USA Pro Cycle Challenge in 2013. Photo courtesy of CMR.

Learn more about the history of the Colorado Mounted Rangers at coloradocountrylife.coop. coloradocountrylife.coop

JANUARY 2018

[recipes]

GAME DAY DIPS TO FLIP OVER These recipes will rock your football parties BY AMY HIGGINS RECIPES@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

Your favorite football team may have more turnovers than touchdowns this season, but if you serve superb sustenance at your game day parties, you can still score big points. Kickoff your playoff and football parties with dips that deliver great taste with little labor. Just place them in a serving dish and provide an assortment of chips, crackers and vegetables and you’ll be the MVP of game day get-togethers.

Spinach, Artichoke and Dill Dip

MAKE ’EM MERRY Whether your team is winning or not, comfort foods can improve moods. While you shouldn’t turn to food every time you get the blues, it sure can keep party guests’ spirits up regardless of what the scoreboard says.

OPTIONS ARE OPTIMAL Not all taste buds are created equal, which is why it’s good to have a variety of choices at your game day party. Serve something rich, something sweet and something good for you, and all your guests will be your number one fans.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 packages (6 ounces each) baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 teaspoons dill weed 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano leaves 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir 5 minutes, or until tender. Add spinach in two batches; cook and stir until almost wilted. Mix remaining ingredients in large bowl until well blended. Add spinach mixture; mix well. Spoon into 2-quart baking dish. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through and edges are bubbly. Let stand 1 minute; stir. Serve with vegetable dippers and assorted crackers or sliced French bread. Courtesy of McCormick®

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1 cup sour cream 1 (1.6-ounce) package buffalo wings seasoning mix 1 1/2 cups cooked chopped chicken 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese Assorted dippers, such as celery or carrot sticks, crackers, pita wedges or chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese, sour cream and seasoning mix in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in chicken. Spoon into lightly greased pie plate. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with blue cheese. Serve with assorted dippers. Courtesy of McCormick®

Creamy Turmeric Dip 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt 1 tablespoon low-fat milk 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground Mix all ingredients in medium bowl until well blended. Cover. Refrigerate turmeric dip until ready to serve. Courtesy of McCormick®

For more delicious game day dip recipes, visit coloradocountrylife.coop. 20

JANUARY 2018

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Drug Companies Fear Release of the New AloeCure Big Pharma stands to lose billions as doctors’ recommend drug-free “health cocktail” that adjusts and corrects your body’s health conditions. by David Waxman Seattle Washington:

Drug company execs are nervous. That’s because the greatest health advance in decades has hit the streets. And analysts expect it to put a huge crimp in “Big Pharma” profits. So what’s all the fuss about? It’s about a new ingredient that’s changing the lives of people who use it. Some call it “the greatest discovery since penicillin”! The name of the product is the AloeCure. It’s not a drug. It’s something completely different. And the product is available to anyone who wants it, at a reasonable price. But demands may force future prices to rise. TOP DOC WARNS: DIGESTION DRUGS CAN CRIPPLE YOU! Company spokesperson, Dr. Liza Leal; a leading integrative health specialist recommends AloeCure before she decides to prescribe any digestion drug. Especially after the FDA’s stern warning about long-term use of drugs classified as proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec®, Nexium®, and Prevacid®. In a nutshell, the FDA statement warned people should avoid taking these digestion drugs for longer than three 14-day treatment periods because there is an increased risk of bone fractures. Many people take them daily and for decades. Dr. Leal should know. Many patients come to her with bone and joint complaints and she does everything she can to help them. One way for digestion sufferers to help avoid possible risk of tragic joint and bone problems caused by overuse of digestion drugs is to take the AloeCure. Analysts expect the AloeCure to put a huge crimp in “Big Pharma” profits.

The secret to AloeCure’s “health adjusting” formula is scientifically tested Acemannan, a polysaccharide extracted from Aloe Vera. But not the same aloe vera that mom used to apply to your cuts, scrapes and burns. This is a perfect strain of aloe that is organically grown under very strict conditions. AloeCure is so powerful it begins to benefit your health the instant you take it. It soothes intestinal discomfort and you can avoid the possibility of bone and health damage caused by overuse of digestion drugs. We all know how well aloe works externally on cuts, scrapes and burns. But did you know Acemannan has many of other health benefits?...

HELPS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO CALM INFLAMMATION According to a leading aloe research, when correctly processed for digesting, the Aloe plant has a powerful component for regulating your immune system called Acemannan. So whether it’s damage that is physical, bacterial, chemical or autoimmune; the natural plant helps the body stay healthy. RAPID ACID AND HEARTBURN NEUTRALIZER Aloe has proved to have an astonishing effect on users who suffer with digestion problems like bouts of acid reflux, heartburn, cramping, gas and constipation because it acts as a natural acid buffer and soothes the digestive system. But new studies prove it does a whole lot more. SIDE-STEP HEART CONCERNS So you’ve been taking proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) for years and you feel just fine. In June of 2015 a major study shows that chronic PPI use increases the risk of heart attack in general population. UNLEASH YOUR MEMORY Studies show that your brain needs the healthy bacteria from your gut in order function at its best. Both low and high dosages of digestion drugs are proven to destroy that healthy bacteria and get in the way of brain function. So you’re left with a sluggish, slowto-react brain without a lot of room to store information. The acemannan used in AloeCure actually makes your gut healthier, so healthy bacteria flows freely to your brain so you think better, faster and with a larger capacity for memory. Doctors call it “The greatest health discovery in decades!”

body’s ability to break down and absorb calcium. Aloe delivers calcium as it aids in balancing your stomach acidity. The result? Thicker, healthier looking hair…more youthful looking skin… And nails so strong they may never break again. SAVE YOUR KIDNEY National and local news outlets are reporting Kidney Failure linked to PPI’s. Your Kidney extracts waste from blood, balance body fluids, form urine, and aid in other important functions of the body. Without it your body would be overrun by deadly toxins. Aloe helps your kidney function properly. Studies suggest, if you started taking aloe today; you’d see a big difference in the way you feel. GUARANTEED RESULTS OR DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK Due to the incredible results people are reporting, AloeCure is being sold with an equally incredible guarantee. “We can only offer this incredible guarantee because we are 100% certain this product will work for those who use it,” Says Dr. Leal. Here’s how it works: Take the pill exactly as directed. You must see and feel remarkable improvements in your digestive health, your mental health, in your physical appearance, the amount inflammation you have throughout your body – even in your ability to fall asleep at night! Otherwise, simply return the empty bottles with a short note about how you took the pills and followed the simple instructions and the company will send you...Double your money back!

HOW TO GET ALOECURE This is the official nationwide release of the new AloeCure pill in the United States. And SLEEP LIKE A BABY A night without sleep really damages your so, the company is offering our readers up to 3 body. And continued lost sleep can lead to all FREE bottles with their order. sorts of health problems. But what you may not This special give-away is available for readers realize is the reason why you’re not sleeping. of this publication only. All you have to do is Some call it “Ghost Reflux”. A low-intensity call TOLL-FREE 1-800-591-2946 1-800-808-4214 and provide form of acid reflux discomfort that quietly keeps the operator with the Free Bottle Approval you awake in the background. AloeCure helps Code: JC025. The company will do the rest. digestion so you may find yourself sleeping Important: Due to AloeCure’s recent media through the night. exposure, phone lines are often busy. If you CELEBRITY HAIR, SKIN & NAILS call and do not immediately get through, Certain antacids may greatly reduce your please be patient and call back.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. coloradocountrylife.coop

JANUARY 2018

[gardening]

Borers and Other Bothersome Bugs Be informed about tree and plant pests

BY VICKI SPENCER MASTER GARDENER GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

When I studied to become a master gardener, one of the most complex units was integrated pest management. It was a real eye-opener for me after living in Gunnison where the winter cold seemed to insulate us from the myriad pests and diseases that threaten trees and garden plants. The first lesson was that “plant health care ideally begins with a well-planned garden and the proper plant selection.” Although we were taught that many health problems can be avoided if plants are appropriately matched to their natural environments, this seems to be more difficult in the age of globalization. We can get plants from anywhere in the world, and more pests and diseases are showing up in areas where they never had before. In the 1970s, the large elm trees abundant along the Front Range succumbed to Dutch elm disease. To create more diversity, city foresters recommended that people replace diseased elms with ash trees. Flash forward 40 years. Today there are an estimated 1.45 million ash trees in the Denver metro area, and now the emerald ash borer (first discovered in Michigan in 2002) has migrated to Colorado. It is a small, green metallic beetle about 1/2-inch long with a coppery purple stomach. Unfortunately, the emerald ash borer is a nonnative species and lacks predators to keep it under control. Some say it’s the most destructive forest pest in North America. While all ash trees are susceptible, it seems to prefer ash trees in the genus Fraxinus. If this makes you wonder what trees are best to plant in your area, it is still advisable to contact your local forester. You can also refer to the Front Range Tree Recommendation list on Colorado State University Extension’s website. The list was developed by individuals representing four professional groups: American Society of Landscape Architects, Colorado Nursery & Gardens Association, Colorado Tree Coalition and Colorado State University Extension. They reviewed and rated more than 250 trees or varieties well suited to Colorado’s various ecosystems and, therefore, are more likely

to be pest and disease resistant. Although there are more than 90,000 insect species in North America, less than 1 percent are likely to affect trees and other plants. If you have existing trees or plants that don’t look healthy, you might be able to diagnose the problem yourself. First, you must know the plant species because so many pests like the emerald ash borer are plant species specific.

characteristics that help determine the proper method of control. Unlike previous generations, today’s gardeners may find the Research common insects and diseases before planting season begins. internet and smartphones to be among their most useful Once you are sure of your tree or plant gardening tools. If you suspect insect or species, look for patterns of abnormality. pest damage, document it with your smartSome symptoms of insect damage are disphone. Take a photograph of the plant in its coloration or distortion of leaves, blossoms environment and get closeups of the bark, or twigs; chewing damage; cracked bark; or stems and both sides of the leaves. If you dieback. Some symptoms of plant diseases see insects, try to get detailed close-ups of are spots or dead areas on leaves or stems; them, too. Then go to Colorado State Uniabnormal growth or coloration; and sudden wilting. If just one tree or plant shows these versity’s “Plant Talk” at planttalk.colostate. edu, click “Ask an Expert” and attach your symptoms or seems abnormal, it may be due to an insect or disease. If the abnormal- photos. Plant experts will help identify the ity covers a large area, such as a row of trees pest or disease and recommend solutions. Although most insects are dormant now, or several species of plants, the cause is it doesn’t hurt to be well-prepared with more likely due to physical conditions, such knowledge to fight against the destructive as a dry winter or recent chemical applicaones. Research the insects and diseases tions. most likely to affect the trees and plants in While most home gardeners can identify your yard. Knowing the signs and sympmany insects by their common names, toms will help you identify problems more knowledge of insect classification can be quickly when they arise so you can treat quite complex. Proper identification is imthem before they get out of hand. portant in order to treat your tree or plant properly. For instance, the type of mouthGardner Vicki Spencer has an eclectic part tells us how an insect feeds, its life background in conservation, water, natural cycle and type of habitation. These are all resources and more.

More Online: Read previous gardening columns at coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Gardening under Living in Colorado. 22

JANUARY 2018

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[outdoors]

The Meat of the Matter Make the most of your game meat

BY DENNIS SMITH OUTDOORS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

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The countless hours spent watching, waiting and stalking game in the wild is the essence of hunting, but converting a deer or elk carcass into stacks of succulent steaks and roasts — or, as I referred to it in last month’s column, “making meat” — can be a gratifying experience, too. And, as it turns out, wild game not only tastes good, it’s also better for you than domestic meat. Nutrition experts at North Dakota State and Pennsylvania State universities compared the fat and cholesterol content of wild game meat with domestic beef and pork, and concluded that game meat is definitely a hearthealthy alternative. Wild venison is considerably lower in calories, fat and cholesterol than beef and pork. According to the USDA, a 100-gram serving of wild deer or elk contains about 1.4 grams of fat compared to 2.7 grams in beef and 4.9 grams in pork. Some game meat, such as antelope, may be slightly higher in cholesterol than domestic meat, but the combination of more lean body tissue, generally fewer calories, less saturated fat and a significantly higher percentage of cholesterol-reducing polyunsaturated fatty acids still makes wild game a healthier overall choice. Butchering your own meat requires a bit of specialized knowledge, but anyone can learn to do it. Sporting magazines like Field & Stream and Outdoor Life publish illustrated, step-by-step instructions for butchering big-game animals in their fall issues every year, and several guidebooks are available at outdoor shops as well. My father taught me

how to do it, and I passed what I learned on to both my sons. I suspect my grandchildren will learn the same way. Most hunters like to salvage as many individual steaks and roasts as they can from their deer or elk and grind the remainder into burger, but I know some who process their entire animal into a variety of spicy sausages and jerky. My own preference is to bone the meat completely, leaving the loins (or backstraps) intact to be cut into thick steaks for the grill. I reserve the hindquarter cuts for sauerbraten and cube the chuck and brisket for bourguignon, goulashes and stews. If you lean toward the exotic, you could forego individual loin steaks in favor of serving the entire saddle as a marinated baron of venison. For really special occasions, you could serve both the saddle and rump together as a single heroic cut called the haunch. Of course, you could also pay a professional game processor to cut your deer up for you, but then you’d miss out on all those custom cuts, not to mention the fun of learning how to make meat. Dennis is a freelance outdoors writer and photographer whose work appears nationally. He lives in Loveland.

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[ energy tips]

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Today, many thermostats offer great new technologies and can do things thermostats of the past simply could not do. That said, it’s certainly worth asking if these new thermostats can save enough money to justify the extra cost of upgrading a manual thermostat to a programmable or smart thermostat. Purchasing a smart thermostat is a significant investment. Units can cost up to $400, although one manufacturer has a new model for about $170. Also, not all homes have the proper wiring in place to accommodate smart thermostats, so you may need to hire a professional to handle the installation. How much a thermostat can save depends on how much you spend on heating and cooling. Estimate those expenses by examining your electric bills and other utility bills related to heating your home. Compare the bills for winter and summer to those for spring and fall. Most of the difference is likely due to heating and cooling. If that amount is more than $900 per year, which is the national average, you have a better chance of a good return on your investment. The second factor that will determine how much you can save is how you operate your old thermostat. If you are conscientious about adjusting the temperature to save energy when you leave the house or go to bed, the new thermostat may not reduce your bills that much, even if you program it correctly or if it learns your behavior. This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative Efficiency.

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[classifieds] TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $2.63 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 to: mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 phone: 303-902-7276 fax: 303-455-2807 email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org

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[ funny stories]

READERS PHOTOS Steve Borgstedt with CCL at Niagara Falls.

Yampa Valley Electric member Sharon Zibres Fuller takes Mountain View Electric member Phyllis CCL to Kosice, in eastern Slovakia. She stands in front of a Johnson of Colorado Springs takes CCL Greek Catholic wooden church built in 1741. along on her fourth ascent of Pikes Peak.

Our soon-to-be-3-year-old great-grandson loves any sport played with a ball. On a particular beautiful autumn day, his preschool teacher was explaining the different seasons of the year: spring, summer, fall and winter. “Do you know what season it is now?” she asked the class. Garrett promptly raised his hand and when called on exclaimed excitedly, “Yes, it’s football season!” Sharon Catlett, Lakewood I used to work with preschoolers and kindergartners. As I watched the kids, I pulled my ponytail around and smelled my hair since I just used a new shampoo and conditioner. Two 4-year-old boys walked by and gave me a weird look. I told them I was seeing if I liked how my hair smelled. One turned to the other and said, “Gina just wiped her nose on her hair!” Their disgusted looks were priceless, and there was no way they were accepting my defense. Gina Littlefield, Cortez When my little brother John was about 7 years old, he thought he was pretty smart. My dad was trying to teach him a lesson in humility, so he asked him, “What number is larger than infinity?” John thought for a minute and answered, “Infinity plus one!” After my dad’s eyes flew wide open in shock, we all had a really good laugh. John was a pretty smart guy after all! Barbara Greer, Grand Junction When I visited my granddaughter one Sunday afternoon, she told her 6-year-old son that he could not use the computer while I was there. He thought about what she said for a few minutes then asked me, “Grandma, how soon are you leaving?” Bonnie Cronin, Colorado Springs

WINNER: Poudre Valley Electric member Laura Martinez of Loveland visits the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island.

San Isabel Electric member Carol McQueeney of Colorado City stands with CCL in front of the Colosseum in Rome.

TAKE YOUR PHOTO WITH YOUR MAGAZINE AND WIN! It’s easy to win with Colorado Country Life. Simply take a photo of someone (or a selfie!) with the magazine and email the photo and your name and address to info@coloradocountrylife.org. We’ll draw one photo to win $25 each month. The next deadline is Monday, January 15. NAME, ADDRESS AND CO-OP MUST ACCOMPANY PHOTO. This month’s winner is Laura Martinez. Laura is a Poudre Valley Electric Association member. . coloradocountrylife.coop

We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. At the end of the year we will draw one name from those submitting funny stories and that person will receive $200. Send your 2018 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.

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[discoveries]

WINTER GEAR Made in Colorado SPLIT PERSONALITY SNOWBOARDS

Envy Ski Frame If you ever longingly gazed at a snowboarder’s footwear as you stiffly skied and hobbled in your ski boots, an Envy Ski Frame could be for you. The Golden-based company manufactures ski frames that support snowboard boots, providing comfort and flexibility while skiing the mountain and strolling around the ski lodge. The lightweight frames have a four-strap system that provides ample support and are compatible with all standard alpine ski bindings. Envy Ski Frames are $379 and come in two sizes: medium and large. However, the company recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money so it can begin the process of designing and engineering kids’ sizes. For more information, visit envysnowsports.com.

Imagine this: cross-country skiing through undisturbed, snowfilled terrain and then creating fresh tracks as you snowboard your way back down the mountain. Sounds much more serene than waiting in crowd-filled lines to get onto a chairlift. “It’s a beautiful way to spend some time in the woods, one of the coolest experiences you’ll ever have,” Kyle Jones says of splitboarding. Splitboards are ultimately snowboards that detach down the middle to become a set of cross-country skis. They can be easily separated or reattached, depending on what the rider is planning on the mountain. With Jones’ Cold Smoke Splitboards, based in Gunnison, you have two options: buy one of the company’s factory-made boards or bring in your own used solid snowboard to get a custom built splitboard. The differences are price and material. The factory-made boards are designed specifically as splitboards with inside edges and cost $850, while custom-built boards are previously used (yet usable) solid decks and start around $415. Check them out at coldsmokesplitboards.com.

ShowOff With Your Smartphone You don’t need a GoPro to get footage of your outdoor adventures. The ShowOff Super Mount, manufactured by a Denver company, uses a magnetic system that sticks to your smartphone so you can attach it to practically any surface, including your own body. In addition, the ShowOff comes with a Bluetooth remote so you can record and take pictures hands-free. ShowOff packages start at $34.99 and are available at showoffyourlife.com.

Patches for Peak Protection Challenging yourself to Colorado’s 14ers is a feat worth boasting about. Every time you make it up the mountain, show off your accomplishment and support the 14ers with a Peak Patch. Peak Patch, based in Vail, sells patches by range or 14er. For every patch sold, 30

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Peak Patch donates 14 percent of the sales to the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, whose mission is to protect the 14ers from the environmental impacts caused by the increasing recreational traffic. Patches range from $3.49 to $4.99. For more information, visit peakpatch.com. coloradocountrylife.coop

Enjoy the Ease of Showering Safely So You Can Stay in the Home You Love. Make sure your bathroom ages as gracefully as you do.

ntroducing a new safe shower that can usually be completed in as little as one day and looks amazing. It is difficult, treacherous and tiring to step over a tub and bathe yourself. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even more difficult and dangerous to try and get out of the tub. In fact, no room poses more threats to safety than the bathroom. But now you can reduce your fear of bathing and regain your independence, with a safe, comfortable walk-in shower. This shower was designed by experts, with you in mind, focusing on safety and convenience when it matters most. Built in America, this shower is available with barrier free entry, making it wheel chair accessible. The nearby safety grab bars provide support and help give you the strength to safely step onto the extra thick commercial grade non-slip shower floor. coloradocountrylife.coop

Then you can stand and shower with the fixed shower head, or help remove the stress or pain from standing and ease into the sturdy chair or built in bench, allowing you to relax and enjoy the refreshing benefits of a shower again. In fact, the easy-to-reach handheld shower wand and grab bar are positioned perfectly for sitting while showering. This affordable walk in shower fits easily in your existing tub space. Installation is included and can be completed in as little as one day making it a simple process for you to transform your bathroom into a safer place. Experience incomparable service and quality and help

remove some of the dangers and fears of falling. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to take your first step towards safety and help you stay in the home that you love so dearly.

Call Toll-Free Today for more information and to learn how a Walk-In Shower can change your life.

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1-800-303-7036 for more information and ask about our Senior Discounts.

Financing available with approved credit.

www.SafeStepShower.com JANUARY 2018

Jewelry That Dances With Every Step PENDANT: $99 EARRINGS: $99 Set Price: $169 (Save An Extra $29)

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