Colorado Country Life July 2017 Grand Valley by American MainStreet Publications

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VIEWPOINT

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COMMUNITY EVENTS

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

NEWS CLIPS

INDUSTRY

COVER STORY

RECIPES

GARDENING

OUTDOORS

FUNNY STORIES

DISCOVERIES

JULY 2017 Volume 48, Number 07

Tim Chinn captured this summer storm over Grand Junction.

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[cover] Two riders zip across the Royal Gorge. Photo by Eve Nagode.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor; mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Cassi Gloe, Designer; cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org Kylee Coleman, Editorial/Admin. Assistant; kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING: Kris Wendtland, Ad Rep; advertising@coloradocountrylife.org Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216-1731. Individual subscription rate: $9 per year for Colorado residents or $15 per year for out-of-state residents, taxes and postage included. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. © Copyright 2016, Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights. Subscribers: Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Colorado Country Life. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 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. 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. 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 Advertising: advertising@coloradocountrylife.org | 303-902-7276 National Advertising Representative: National Country Market | 611 S. Congress Street, Suite 504 | Austin, TX 78704 | 800-626-1181

COCountryLife: Cowboy Lanning Peterson brings Colorado Country Life along on a cattle drive outside of Eads in Southeast Colorado Power Association’s territory.

ColoradoREA: Students from across Colorado are enjoying their trip to Washington, D.C., thanks to Colorado’s electric co-ops.

INSTAGRAM PIC OF THE MONTH

Colorado Country Life posted: Working on this year’s July mag and looking back: we love to focus on fun stuff around the state.

FAVORITE TWEETS

@ColoradoREA: June 2 — San Miguel Power Association linemen working on the Red Mountain Power line this week.

MONTHLY CONTEST Win a vacation getaway package that includes Shell, Wendy’s and VISA gift cards. To enter our contest, agree to the contest rules and complete the online form at www.coloradocountrylife.coop under the Contests tab.

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POLITICS IS ONLY PART OF OUR SERVICE

CREA provides member electric co-ops with more than legislative assistance BY KENT SINGER CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG

Over the last couple of months, several Colorado politicians, former politicians and businessmen announced themselves as gubernatorial candidates for 2018. (Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) is term limited.) They include two current members of Congress, a former state treasurer, several current or former state legislators, a district attorney and the nephew of a former Kent Singer candidate for president. Waiting in the wings are even more state legislators and businessmen who are rumored to be considering a run. Which leads me to this question: Didn’t we just have an election last fall? I remember staying up late on election night to see who would be our next president. I also remember the political ads that dominated the television and radio airwaves for months prior to the election. So please excuse me if I’m less than excited about the whole process starting all over again some 18 months before the 2018 general election. Frankly, I think we need a longer break. Maybe we should have a rule that no campaigns can start more than one year before a general election; we’ll call it the Singer Rule. Don’t get me wrong. I actually like the political process for the most part, and I believe it is a fundamental component of our democracy. As a trade association that supports candidates for the state legislature, we’re involved in politics every day. But even political junkies such as myself and Geoff Hier, our director of government relations, need some time off from the constant solicitations for campaign contributions and the never-ending attacks on the opposite party. The fact is that while representing the interests of Colorado’s electric co-ops in the political arena is an important function of the Colorado Rural Electric Association, CREA provides other services that are just as important. SAFETY: CREA supports the efforts of its electric co-op members to provide a safe workplace for their employees and to keep the public away from power lines. The men and women who keep the lights on in rural Colorado do inherently dangerous work. They work on high-voltage power facilities that are unforgiving and must be constantly vigilant to avoid contact with those energized facilities. Their safety and well-being is dependent on following the appropriate safety practices. We recently hired a new director of safety and loss control to lead our team of safety professionals. Dale Kishbaugh comes to Colorado 4

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from Arizona where he held a similar position. Dale is committed to helping our members stay up to speed on the most effective safety techniques and is in the process of visiting every electric co-op in the state as he assesses the co-ops’ safety programs and how CREA can assist them. COMMUNICATIONS: Mona Neeley continues to head up our outstanding communications department, which includes our flagship publication, Colorado Country Life. Our statewide magazine is delivered to more than 220,000 co-op member-owners each month and has the largest circulation of any subscription, consumer magazine published in Colorado. It’s the primary communication tool for most of our member co-ops that rely on the magazine to keep their co-op members informed on what is happening at the co-op. In addition to publishing Colorado Country Life monthly, Mona and her team also produce a wide variety of materials, such as co-op annual meeting reports, brochures and other communications pieces for our members. The department also maintains our assorted social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to help tell the co-op story. EDUCATION: Each year, Liz Fiddes, our director of education and member services, organizes and delivers myriad education courses for the directors and staff of our member co-ops. Liz works tirelessly to deliver the most relevant training courses on a wide variety of topics. This enables the directors and staff at your co-op to gain valuable insight into industry issues without ever leaving Colorado, which is a huge cost savings. In addition to the education courses that we sponsor, we also organize many peer groups that meet throughout the year, such as the accountants, human resource personnel, attorneys, managers, mechanics and member services staff. We also hold our annual Energy Innovations Summit, an all-day energy conference that features speakers from all over the country. This fall, we’ll host a “Pot & Power” conference to look at all of the issues that impact electric co-ops as the result of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado. So, even though the political process is always on our radar, we’re also busy providing all the other support services that our members, which includes your co-op, have come to expect from us at CREA.

Kent Singer, Executive Director

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[letters] Getting to Know Colorado

I am moving to Colorado with my wife in 2018. I feel this is a great publication that will help us prepare for our move. Colorado Country Life seems to be a great magazine with tons of useful information. Michael Denson, Frisco, Texas

GIVE A SUBSCRIPTION TODAY * 12 months for * Colorado residents; $15 for out-of-state residents

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Give us a call to order: 303.455.4111

Honor Real Heroes

I was disappointed to see you running a contest on close encounters with the rich and famous. Who really cares about the rich and famous? The goal should be for citizens to focus on or hear about people in their own community who are making a difference. How about running a contest titled, “Close Encounters With Patriots of America?” These are people who should be placed on a pedestal as role models, instead of someone who is highlighted by the media because of their wealth, exceptional athletic skills or ability to pretend on screen. Patrick Kiernan Mountain View Electric member

Are You Famous Yet?

I saw the announcement for the celebrity contest. I have never knowingly encountered a celebrity, but it made me think of Andy Warhol’s words: “Everyone will be worldfamous for 15 minutes.” So, I have met a lot of people, but at the time I met them they had not yet been famous, and by the time they got famous, I had forgotten that I met them… and I didn’t take a picture. Mike Gowan, Red Feather Lakes Poudre Valley REA member

70% of Lightning Fatalities

OCCUR JUNE THROUGH AUGUST Take extra care when enjoying outdoor sporting events and activities when weather turns threatening. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat. That is why the National Weather Service advises: “ When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!” Lightning can strike up to ten miles away from rain, even if you don’t see clouds. Safe Electricity urges everyone to understand the importance of lightning awareness and how to stay safe. Learn more at SafeElectricity.org

Got something to say? We welcome letters to the editor. Send your letter to Editor Mona Neeley at 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or at mneeley@ coloradocountrylife.org. Letters may be edited for length. coloradocountrylife.coop

JULY 2017

[community events] [July] July 7-16 Crested Butte Wildflower Festival Crested Butte Community School 970-349-2571 crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com July 8 Colorado City VFC Barn Dance Fundraiser Hatchet Ranch Events Center 6:30 pm • 719-250-6097 July 8-9 Durango “Art on the Animas” Arts and Crafts Show Santa Rita Park River Walk at the Visitors Center 970-247-2117 July 8 Elbert Elbert Day Festival Elbert Town Square 8 am-7 pm • 303-909-2724 July 8 Palisade Lavender Festival Palisade Memorial Park coloradolavender.org July 8-9 Simla El Paso County Wagon Train Weekend Bailey Ranch 10 am • 719-740-0658 July 11 Cortez Magician Tall Paul Show Cortez Public Library 2 pm • 970-564-4073 July 11-12 Pagosa Springs Pine Cone Charity Golf Tournament Pagosa Springs Golf Club 970-731-9774 July 13 Dolores Behind-the-Scenes Curation Tour Anasazi Heritage Center 2 pm • 970-882-5600 July 14-15 Durango Summertime Book Sale Durango Public Library 9:30 am-5 pm • 970-375-3380

JULY 2017

July 14-15 Meeker Meeker Days Downtown Plaza 970-878-3403 meekerrecdistrict.com July 15 Meeker Farmers Market Downtown 8 am-12 pm • facebook.com/ meekerfarmersmarket July 15 Westcliffe Scholarship Pancake Breakfast Custer County School Parking Lot 7-10 am • 719-783-3414

El Paso County Fair

July 15-22, 366 10th Street, Calhan

July 17 Estes Park “Alpine Superheroes: Survival in a Land of Extremes” Course Rocky Mountain Conservancy 7 am-3:30 pm • 970-586-3262

Get your family and friends to the El Paso County Fair where daily entertainment abounds with attractions, such as a truck and tractor pull, rodeo, auto races, demolition derby, concerts, a carnival, livestock show and more. For more information, call 719-520-7880 or visit elpasocountyfair.com.

July 21-23 Trinidad “The Murder Room” Theater Performance Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre 719-846-4765 • scrtheatre.com

July 27-30 Frisco Summit Seniors Rummage Sale Summit County Community and Senior Center 815-258-5843

July 22 Fort Collins NoCo Urban Homestead Tour Various Locations 9 am-3 pm • 970-416-2486 July 22 Kit Carson Annual Chamber Meeting, Barbecue and Dance Prairie Park 6 pm jamielconaway@gmail.com July 22-23 Winter Park Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair Hideaway Park alpineartaffair.com July 23 Calhan Front Range Dutch Oven Cooking Competition El Paso County Fairgrounds 719-648-8260 July 26 Berthoud Summer Concert Series Featuring Wendy Woo Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum 5:30 pm • 970-532-2147

July 27 Nathrop Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity Mac & Cheese BakeOff/Silent Auction Fundraiser Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort 5-7 pm • 719-395-0482 July 29 Dolores “Of Coyotes & Moon Landings” Lecture Anasazi Heritage Center 8:30 pm • 970-882-5635 July 29 Gould Yeti Fest Gould Community Center 12 pm • yetifestcolorado.com July 29 Grand Mesa Grand Mesa Moose Day U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center 10 am-3 pm • cpw.state.co.us July 29 Ignacio Outdoor Yard Sale and Indoor Craft Sale ELHI Community Center 9 am-3 pm • 970-769-2798

[August] August 4 Buena Vista 1st Friday Wine Share Casa del Rio Clubhouse 6-7:30 pm firstfridaywineshare.com August 5-6 Avon Beaver Creek Art Festival 76 Avondale Lane 561-746-6615 • artfestival.com August 5-6 Beulah Arts and Crafts Show Beulah School of Natural Sciences 10 am-4 pm • bvartcouncil.org

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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

Cyber Security and the State We Are In TOM WALCH || CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Headlines about cyber attacks, computer hacking and their cyber security posture. GVP currently has a robust phishing seem to dominate the news more and more infrastructure of safeguards that include firewalls, multievery day. How could these threats impact cooperative factor identification requirements and blocks that turn consumers? Unfortunately, the answer is that a away suspicious network packages. coordinated attack could bring a distribution system like Locally — Grand Valley Power was recently selected Grand Valley Power’s to its knees. While not at GVP, it as one of the cooperatives in the nation that will happened before. participate in the Self-Assessment Research Project, About a year and a half ago, hackers attacked a developed by NRECA’s Rural Cooperative Cyber Security Ukrainian utility, leaving 230,000 homes and businesses Capabilities Program (RC3). RC3 is focused on developing Tom Walch without power. The bad tools and resources that are guys penetrated the utility’s appropriate for small- and network with an email mid-sized cooperatives that phishing campaign targeting have limited information employees. When one of technology staff. In addition, the employees opened a the program will provide malicious attachment, the collaboration, education hackers gained entry and were and training opportunities able to snoop around the that will be available to all network, unlocking passwordcooperatives, regardless of of all phishing cyber-attacks are protected access points. They size. This project will help directed at small businesses eventually commandeered GVP develop and implement (with less than 250 employees) the system. The utility’s a solid cyber security action control center operator plan; we will be positioned -Symantec Corporation watched helplessly as one of as a leader in cyber security. the hackers remotely took We will be ambassadors for control of his computer, and with the simple click of a button, protecting personal identifiable information and grid security for opened a substation circuit breaker, shutting off power to everyone GVP and for all other cooperatives. served by that facility. The bad guys continued this process until On a national level — President Donald Trump recently signed power was cut at 30 substations. an executive order highlighting the need to improve federal agency Cyber crime could also threaten personal and financial data of and administration cyber security, focusing on steps that owners of cooperative consumers. We’ve seen how bad guys stole this kind critical infrastructure can take to protect against significant cyber of sensitive information from big outfits like Target, Home Depot security incidents. The order also calls for a government assessment and even the federal government. Smaller outfits like Grand Valley of a “prolonged power outage” associated with a significant cyber Power may be subject to even bigger risks. We have an obligation security breach against the electric power sector. to protect our consumers’ information. As an electric cooperative NRECA CEO Jim Matheson endorsed the executive order, noting member, it’s important to know what Grand Valley Power and other that “a secure grid is paramount for America’s electric cooperatives cooperatives across the country are doing to keep the nation’s and their 42 million consumer-owners. We appreciate the [Trump] electric grid — and the personal information of our members and administration recognizing the importance of cyber security, and consumers — secure. we look forward to working together as we continue to address this The state of security now — Fortunately, America’s electric critical issue.” cooperatives are taking a leading role on this issue. America’s Grand Valley Power’s innovative and principled approach to cyber cooperatives spent countless hours helping the nation’s grid security is squarely in line with our mission and will help ensure that watchdog, known as the North American Electric Reliability we can continue to deliver value to all we serve. Corporation, or NERC, develop and write the Critical Infrastructure Protection standards. In addition, the Cooperative Research COMMENTS TO THE CEO Network, the development arm of the National Rural Electric You are a member of a cooperative and your opinion does count. Cooperative Association — took it a step further and authored If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please let me the Guide to Developing a Cyber Security and Risk Mitigation Plan. know by writing to Ask the CEO, P.O. Box 190, Grand Junction, This document, backed by the U.S. Department of Energy and Colorado 81502, or send an email to me at twalch@gvp.org. endorsed by the head of grid security at IBM, provides a set of Check our website at gvp.org. scalable, online tools that can help electric cooperatives strengthen

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Grand Valley Powerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Renewable Purchased Power Reaches Over 30%

Grand Valley Power reached a new benchmark in its portfolio, with over 30 percent of distribution energy being supplied by renewable energy. In accordance with the Public Utilities Commission of Colorado, GVP reports compliance with the current state of renewable energy purchased or generated every year. More than half of all U.S. states have some type of renewable energy standard or goal in place. A renewable energy standard (RES) requires utility companies like GVP to source a certain amount of the energy they generate or sell from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. There are many variants to an RES policy, including clean energy standards (which allow nuclear and low-polluting nonrenewable energy sources like natural gas). They are sometimes called renewable portfolio standards. These policies require electric companies to acquire a certain minimum share of their electricity from designated renewable resources across several years.Â Generally, these resources include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and hydroelectricity. Grand Valley Power must generate (or be the cause of generation) of eligible renewable energy in the following minimum amounts: 1% 2008-2010 3% 2011-2014 6% 2015-2019 10% 2020 and thereafter

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In order to comply for the years after 2020, Grand Valley Power must also supply 1 percent of its retail sales from renewable distributed generation, of which 50 percent must be from retail renewable distributed generation. For more information about how we supply our members with renewable energy, visit gvp.org/content/renewable-energy.

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GRAND VALLEY POWER LINES

WHAT YOU’RE MISSING IF YOU MISS GVP’S ANNUAL MEETING

Did you know every cooperative is required to conduct an annual meeting for its members? It’s the cooperative difference and a benefit to you as a member. The purpose is to hold the election for the board of directors, share important financial information, occasionally vote on other matters such as bylaw changes, share upcoming projects, meet our members and, of course, handout the great door prizes and share a meal. It’s community-driven — Grand Valley Power’s annual meeting is a community gathering where neighbors can meet new neighbors or catch up with old acquaintances. As our lives get busier and time flies, more of our interactions with others are online (via social media). We must renew the value of face-to-face human connections. This is an opportunity to meet our CEO, board of directors and the 42 employees who work behind the scenes every day. Few organizations are uniquely positioned to bring together all members of their local communities. Economic and social impacts — The annual meeting is a perfect stage to discuss with our members the economic and social impacts that are affecting the cooperative. Highlights include a review of legislative and regulatory developments impacting our industry, future projects for Grand Valley Power and how we are planning to deal with challenges ahead of us. You’ll learn more about the cooperative business model and see first-hand how the seven cooperative principles guide our activities. (See the list below on the principles that all cooperatives embrace.)

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Democratic and member controlled — Grand Valley Power’s annual meeting is designed to take care of important business needs as well. While safe, reliable and affordable electric power is crucial to our mission, improving the quality of life for all members is at the core of what we do every day. During our annual meeting we review the state of financials for the previous calendar years and discuss important decisions that can impact all members. In addition, we congratulate scholarship recipients and recognize employee service. Finally, our members are asked to vote for the open positions of the board of directors, who are required to be cooperative members themselves. If you have not attended the annual meeting in the past or if it has been a few years, we urge you to take the time to be with your fellow co-op members, ask questions, provide input and enjoy the meeting. At Grand Valley Power, we are connected to you by more than just power lines — our roots grow deep. We support each other as we have since 1936. We are your neighbors, and we look forward to seeing you at your annual meeting. Be sure to look out for the annual report in your mailbox in the coming weeks and our RSVP card inside to reserve your seat for August 3.

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GRAND VALLEY POWER LINES

OUTAGE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES IMPROVE RELIABILITY

“The only things certain in life are death and taxes,” as the old saying goes. Well, we can add another to the list: power outages. An outage can range from annoying to dangerous, depending on its timing and length. Grand Valley Power strives to deliver the highest possible quality of electric service at the lowest possible price. Perhaps the key measure of quality in the eyes of members is the number of times their lights blink or go out. Let’s talk a bit about how the grid is designed as a backdrop to how technology is improving reliability by reducing blinks and outages. Along the power lines that bring electricity to your home, Grand Valley Power installs protective devices in the form of fuses and reclosers (high-voltage circuit breakers). Fuses and reclosers serve the same purpose as the fuses and circuit breakers in your home. A fuse is a one-shot device. When a fault occurs, the fuse blows and everyone downstream from it loses power. Reclosers are multi-shot devices, meaning they can operate a certain number of times before they stay open and an outage occurs. A common setting is what’s known as a triple-shot. Here’s how that works. A tree limb contacts the power lines and creates a fault. The recloser senses it and opens, creating the first blink. Here’s where a recloser differs from your home circuit breaker. It waits a

certain amount of a time (typically a few seconds), then recloses to try and complete the circuit. If the fault is still there, it opens again. This creates the second blink. Tripleshot settings allow the device to reclose a third time and if the fault is still there, it stays open and the members downstream experience a power outage. Blinks are a nuisance, but they eliminate a lot of extended outages by protecting wires and equipment from serious damage. So, what kind of technology is improving service reliability? An amazing array of equipment and software is being developed and implemented at utilities across the county. When combined with field construction practices, like building multiple ways to feed power loads and the deployment of enhanced metering systems, the future of reliability is bright — pun intended. Electric co-ops are starting to use more of what are called Intelligent Electronic Devices. “Intelligent” basically means a co-op can program the device to behave a certain way when a specific event occurs. It also means the co-op can remotely command the device to take an action, either preprogrammed or on command. Eventually, there will be a power outage

despite the best efforts of Grand Valley Power. That is where outage management systems (OMS) earn their keep. The OMS maps system data and meter locations into a piece of software that models the electric grid. When a loss of power is reported, the OMS runs calculations to determine the exact location of the fault and the number of members impacted. Now, the whole suite of systems your co-op uses comes into play. The co-op dispatcher can call out or redirect a crew to the exact location of the problem. A map of the outage and number of impacted members is generated and member service reps are notified that an outage is in progress. Members who are signed up will receive a text stating there’s an outage and another when power is restored. The end result of all this technology is the minimization of outages and their length, plus more availability of up-todate information for the consumer. Mother Nature is a tough opponent, and it’s impossible to eliminate outages and blinks altogether. But with the way technology is advancing, we can expect to see some remarkable improvements, and that is seeking to find new and better ways to serve our members and communities.

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, 845 22 Road, Grand Junction. 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. 10

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[news clips] CREA Board Learns About CO2 Extraction May is an educational month for the Colorado Rural Electric Association Board of Directors. That is when the board travels to one of its member co-ops for its monthly board meeting to learn more about that particular co-op. This year, the directors spent two days at Empire Electric Association in Cortez in the southwestern part of the state. This CO2 plant near Yellow Jacket uses electricity supplied by Empire Electric. Empire Electric serves Dolores, Montezuma and San Miguel counties in Colorado, along with San Juan County, Utah. Its largest member is Kinder Morgan, which extracts carbon dioxide from deep wells north of Cortez and pipes that CO2 to the oil fields of Texas. There it is used to help unlock and recover crude oil from mature oil fields. CREA board directors toured the largest of seven Kinder Morgan facilities on Empire’s lines as they learned about this plant. It is located over the McElmo Dome, Empire Electric CEO Josh Dellinger (right) asks A tour guide explains the CO2 plant’s operation. one of the largest known fields of pure CO2 questions about the extraction process. in the world. About 1.3 billion cubic feet of CO2 is transported to that service when there is the most demand for that electricTexas daily, with the extraction process all powered by electricity ity and how it is used. Irrigators pull the largest load for co-ops supplied by Empire Electric. on the eastern plains of Colorado during the growing season. In Empire is one of 22 unique electric distribution cooperatives the mountains, some co-ops provide electricity for snowmaking that are members of CREA. While all of the co-ops aspire to equipment at resorts through the winter months. Others work provide reliable, affordable, safe and environmentally responsible with memberships that are mostly second homeowners, and othelectricity to their members 24/7, they all face different challenges ers supply power to the oil and gas industry. in doing so. May’s meeting is an opportunity for CREA member co-ops to These co-ops vary in how many members they have, how much understand the challenges electric co-ops in other parts of the electricity they sell, how many miles of line it takes to provide state face.

Support the Co-ops as They Pedal the Plains Pedal the Plains, the annual three-day bike tour of eastern Colorado, is set for September 15-17 with Colorado’s electric cooperatives as one of its sponsors and the co-op bike team raising money for Energy Outreach Colorado. The co-ops invite you to join them. You can register to ride the three days as a member of our Powering the Plains bike team or you can donate money to the team, which will go directly to Energy Outreach Colorado. The ride goes from Kersey to Keenesburg to Brush and back to Kersey. Register as a member of our team and get a special Powering the Plains bike jersey, as well as co-op gifts. Visit pedaltheplains.com and click on “Registration,” then on “3-day tour,” then on “Join an Existing Team,” and then on “Join Colorado’s Electric Cooperatives.” Not interested in riding a bike for three days? You can support the team and Energy Outreach Colorado by sending a tax-deductible donation. Visit www.poweringtheplains.coop for information on how to donate to the team.

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Learn What’s New in the Electric Industry

Mark your calendars for Monday, October 30 for the 2017 CREA Energy Innovations Summit. Topics presented by high-caliber speakers will include regional transmission organizations in Colorado; net metering and electric vehicles; distributed energy resources; carbon capture; offshore wind; energy storage and more. Dr. Martin Keller, director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden will be the luncheon speaker. Registration for this one-day event at the Westin Denver Downtown Hotel will open later this summer. coloradocountrylife.coop

Co-op Youth Tour Starts at Colorado Capitol in Denver

[ news clips]

About 30 high school students from military. That was followed by a bill signing At the invitation of Sen. Kerry Donovan throughout rural Colorado enjoyed a week in the governor’s office. (D-Dist. 5), students were on hand as Gov. learning about leadership, governJohn Hickenlooper (D) signed ment and electric co-ops during the House Bill 1306, which provides for annual electric co-op Washington, safe water in public schools. Also D.C., Youth Tour. welcoming the students to the signThe week opened with students ing were Rep. Tony Exum (D-Dist. gathering in Denver to learn about 17) and Rep. K.C. Becker (D-Dist. how electricity is generated and dis13). tributed and how to be safe around Then it was off to Washington, it. There was also an overview of D.C., where the students visited Colorado government presented by memorials, participated in leaderRep. Faith Winter (D-Dist. 35) and a ship training with more than 1,800 tour of the Colorado Capitol where students from co-ops across the students heard from the Blue Star country and met with members of Gov. John Hickenlooper signs House Bill 1306 as Sen. Kerry Mothers of America, who have sons Donovan and Reps. Tony Exum and K.C. Becker and the Colorado’s congressional delegation. or daughters in active service in the Youth Tour students watch. Photo by Lonnie Tucker.

Digital Divide Narrows, But Rural America Still Behind in Internet Services The digital divide is narrowing, but there is still a stark difference between broadband access in rural America and the rest of the country. That’s the conclusion of a Pew Research Center study that says rural residents, on average, are 10 percent less likely to have high-speed internet at home.

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But 63 percent of rural residents did report a broadband web connection at home, up sharply from 35 percent in 2007. At that time, 51 percent of all U.S. adults had in-home broadband, a 16 percent gap. Now, with 73 percent of all U.S. adults saying they have in-home high-speed internet, that divide has narrowed to 10 percentage points.

“Even though rural areas are more wired today than in the past, substantial segments of rural America still lack the infrastructure needed for high-speed internet,” the study reported. Several Colorado electric co-ops do provide internet services, and others are studying the possibility of doing so.

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[industry]

Tiny Home Photo by Kevin McGuckin

THE NEW LIVING SPACE

Downsizing the American Dream of Home Sweet Home BY JUSTIN LABERGE WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE

A house, two kids, a manicured lawn and a well-maintained fence to keep it all safe. For years, that was the dream to which many Americans aspired. But if you scroll through your social media feed or watch one of the countless reality shows about real estate and housing, you’ll notice that many folks are eschewing that traditional American home in favor of alternative accommodations. The reasons people prefer these nontraditional structures are as diverse as the buildings themselves. Some want to simplify and declutter their lives. Others want to save money and energy. Here’s a look at a few of the more popular non-traditional home designs that might be coming to a neighborhood near you. TINY HOUSES

The tiny house trend got its start with a man named Jay Shafer who built his first miniature house on wheels in Iowa in 1999. Shafer is a person who liked to challenge the status quo, and after living in a variety of nontraditional spaces over the years, he started drawing plans for imaginary houses. Over time, the designs got simpler and smaller, and he was inspired to build one for real when he learned they didn’t meet building codes. He took that as a challenge and realized that if he built the house 14

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on a prefabricated, street legal trailer, it would be considered a trailer load and not a house and, thus, not subject to building codes. This nonconformity makes tiny houses a controversial issue in many communities, and local governments struggle to balance individual rights, local codes and public safety. Their nontraditional design also makes tiny houses more difficult to finance and insure, although options for both are available. Despite these challenges, thousands of people purchased do-it-yourself plans as well as manufactured tiny houses from Shafer and other designers. Unlike mobile homes or camping trailers, tiny houses look like real houses, with square corners, traditional siding materials and pitched roofs. They typically offer 100 to 130 square feet of living space and must be less than 8 feet 6 inches wide and 13 feet 6 inches tall to legally drive on the road without a special permit. The weight varies based on the length and rating of the trailer, but tiny houses are typically much heavier than camping trailers because they are made from traditional building materials. Tiny house living continues to pick up in popularity in Colorado. Several companies offer manufacturing services to suit what buyers long for in a little home, in-

cluding Colorado Springs-based Tumbleweed Tiny House Factory, Durango-based Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses and Fort Collins-based MitchCraft Tiny Homes. Now trending throughout the United States are tiny home communities where like-minded little home lovers can enjoy the niceties of living in a neighborhood, but on a much smaller scale than traditional living. One such community located in Fairplay offers tiny house owners a community clubhouse as well as nearby access to Breckenridge Ski Resort, flyfishing hot spots, ample hiking and many more outdoor adventure options. A new tiny house planned development popped up in Salida as well, where the manufacturing of 200 rental units is currently under way. Located along the Arkansas River, the tiny house community will feature a community building, exercise facility, restaurant, 96 storage units and more when completed. Sprout Tiny Homes is developing this community and has plans to break ground in Walsenburg where it will build a 33-unit tiny home community to address the need for housing in the area. CONTAINER HOMES

The shipping container became a political symbol for many people in recent years. To some, they are a symbol of the decline coloradocountrylife.coop

[ industry] of American manufacturing. To others, the containers are tools that connect us to a globalized economy and lower costs of many consumer goods. But to a group of architecture enthusiasts, the shipping containers stacked on cargo boats, carried by freight trains and pulled by trucking rigs are grown-up Lego blocks waiting to be turned into homes. The first container buildings were built by those looking for a fast, simple and lowcost way to provide shelter. Containers are strong, easy to transport and, thanks to global trade, abundant. Over time, what started as a clever way to recycle old containers and quickly build inexpensive structures changed into an architectural trend. The modular, boxy aesthetic of shipping containers gives container homes a modern look that many find appealing. Today, container homes range in size and complexity from modest, inexpensive, utilitarian dwellings to large, highly customized, luxury homes. Container homes are getting attention in Colorado as well. Rhino Cubed recycles

and repurposes out-of-commission shipping containers to create compact homes that make a big impression. The Louisville-based company sells containers with minimal amenities such as windows, doors and lead-free certification; midstream amenities with all the above plus hickory floors, finished walls and insulation; or all-you-could-expect-froma-house perks, such as a full kitchen, storage, water disposal, bunk beds, exterior paint and more. Container home enthusiasts say the three keys to a successful project are understanding all local building codes and safety regulations before starting the project, hiring a contractor that has previous experience with this unique form of construction and purchasing the correct type of container. OLD HOUSE, NEW TRICKS

The options are plentiful when it comes to miniature domiciles in Colorado and beyond. From tipis to monolithic homes to yurts, home buyers can choose what suits their fancy. At Colorado Yurt Company,

for example, potential buyers can build a yurt from scratch using their Yurt Price Calculator. Select the requirements for your yurt, such as door type, window options and snow and wind load packages, and watch as it calculates your costs. Even traditional houses aren’t immune to the trend of alternative construction techniques. Advances in technology transformed the manufactured housing business as well. In addition to the classic mobile home and newer modular home designs, high-end custom homes created from prefabricated panels built in a factory can be purchased and assembled on site. This can save up to 15 percent over the cost of a traditional home. So, whether it’s a tiny home, a yurt, a container or a prefabricated home, the American dream of home ownership now comes in many shapes and sizes. Justin LaBerge writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

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e h t p u p m Pu

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JULY 2017

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[ feature]

Ready to soar over the abyss? Power slide on a fast and furious jet boat? Or maybe plummet into an “old” mine shaft? If you’re looking for a new adventure this summer, Colorado has just what you need. ROYAL HEART STOPPERS Start with one of the world’s highest suspension bridges: the renown Royal Gorge Bridge west of Cañon City. Your adventure can be as simple as a walk across this famous bridge 956 feet above the Arkansas River. Or it could be more. You can zip across the gorge itself on the Cloudscraper Zip Line, swing out over the gorge on the Skycoaster or, if you’re looking for something tamer, ride the gondolas. Any of these adventures make for a smile-inducing adrenaline “fix.” “The zip rider is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done,” said Peggy Gair, public relations manager at the Royal Gorge Bridge. “Flying over the gorge, you have a beautiful view that takes your breath away.” It is thrilling, but it is also safe. State-ofthe-art harnesses and a self-braking system take the worry away, leaving you free to zip the 1,987 feet across the gorge while enjoying a fabulous view of rock cliffs and the Arkansas’ ribbon of blue almost 1,200 feet below. The zip line is new following a disastrous wildfire in 2013 that destroyed 90 percent of the park, including the original zip line, which paralleled the walls of the gorge. The new Cloudscraper, which now runs parallel to the bridge, opened in 2015. Up for more adrenaline? The Skycoaster was named the scariest sky coaster in the world by the manufacturer. It has been in place since 2003 and is one of a few features that survived the fire. You can only imagine what you’re in for as you’re outfitted in a flight suit and hooked into the Skycoaster swing’s platform along with up to two other people. Next, you’re pulled 100 feet up coloradocountrylife.coop

A brave rider on the Cloudscraper Zip Line enjoys the views as he zips across the Royal Gorge.

to get ready to swing out over the gorge. When you are ready, you, as the rider, pull the rip cord and sweep down and out over the cliff edge at about 50 mph. “People say it’s even scarier than the zip rider,” Gair said. “There’s a lot of screaming going on. It’s the closest thing to skydiving I’ve done.” Scenery surrounding all three rides — the gondola, zip line and Skycoaster — is awesome. You’ll see rock formations, the Arkansas River and 360 degrees of fantastic Colorado views. If the timing is right, you may even see the Royal Gorge Route Railroad below you, looking like a toy train as it snakes through the gorge. The bridge was built in 1929. When it opened during the Great Depression, the bridge itself was the main attraction with

visitors paying 25 cents to cross. Until 2001, it was the highest bridge in the world. Then, it was surpassed by the Liuguanghe Bridge in China. Today, it is still the highest bridge in the United States. Through the years more attractions were added to the park to satisfy the adventureseeking public, but it is doubtful any thrill ride will ever surpass the Skycoaster and the Cloudscraper. Everyone may enjoy the gondola ride across the gorge, which is included with park admission. There are separate fees for the Cloudscraper and the Skycoaster. Information can be found at www. RoyalGorgeBridge.com, or by calling 719275-7507 or 888-333-5597. [continued on page 18]

The Royal Gorge Skycoaster swings riders out over the gorge at a thrilling 50 mph. Riders compare the Skycoaster to sky diving and love the adventure and the beautiful Colorado scenery. Photo by Eve Nagode

JULY 2017

[feature] RIVER RUSH [continued from page 17]

For a one-of-a-kind water adventure and adrenaline rush, head to De Beque in western Colorado where Jet Boat Colorado thrills its customers with a river experience not found any place else in the state. In operation from mid-May to early September, this custom-built, New Zealand-style river boat, named the Wild Mustang, can travel up to 40 mph on the river and then suddenly put you into a “cowboy spin” and soak you in the waves created by the boat itself. The boat’s maneuverability allows for power slides that keep your heart pounding as you yell for more. Joe Keys, manager and one of the experienced drivers of the Wild Mustang, is no stranger to the river. He’s been a river guide most of his adult life. While working in New Zealand, he was attracted to the jet boats there. “I realized this style boat was perfect for the Colorado River,” he said. “We’re the only company in Colorado that I know of offering jet boat tours. There are only four of these boats running on rivers in the United States.”

Jet Boat Colorado’s “Wild Mustang” New Zealand-style river boat offers two tour options: a wet and wild adventure and a scenic ride. Expect cowboy spins, fishtails and fast speeds on your wet and wild adventure. The scenic ride takes passengers through beautiful scenery, Colorado history and geology at a slower pace.

JULY 2017

Jet boats were created in New Zealand in the 1950s. A rancher, William Hamilton, had a huge sheep ranch with a shallow, rocky river running through it and needed a way to navigate through his property to tend his flocks. Horses were too slow and the terrain was too rough for trucks, so out of necessity he perfected this jet-propelled system. The technology came to the United States in the 1960s when Hamilton and his son ran a jet boat upstream on the Colorado River — the first and only upstream run in the Grand Canyon. Jet Boat Colorado offers two tours. The “wet and wild” adventure tour includes the spins, slides and speed runs that keep your adrenaline rushing. The scenic tour, for those who enjoy the serenity of the Colorado River, is a drier, more relaxed option with plenty of stops to enjoy the sights. On both trips the driver shares information about the spectacular landscapes and the rich history of the area. Besides enjoying stunning views of the Roan Plateau and the Grand and Battlement mesas, riders are likely to see majestic bald eagles soaring overhead or fishing from riverside perches. There might also be other wildlife along the banks: elk, bears, wild turkeys and wild horses. The Wild Mustang comfortably seats

up to 11 people in theater fashion, with each row elevated slightly above the previous row. This style seating ensures all passengers have an unobstructed view. Cameras are discouraged because they get wet and passengers can lose control of them during maneuvers. However, Jet Boat Colorado has two waterproof cameras on board taking video and still photos of this adventure. Video copies and still photos are available for purchase. Prior to boarding, guests are given a safety orientation and fitted with life jackets. Handholds are inside the boat. Tours are open to all ages. The only requirement is passengers must weigh 50 pounds. Last year, during its inaugural season, Jet Boat Colorado passengers came from across the United States and from four different countries. “I was surprised at how fast the Wild Mustang traveled,” said Monica McElyea of Breckenridge after her jet boat ride. “We saw some beautiful sights that would be inaccessible without taking the jet boat tour. Our driver, Joe, was so fun and his historical knowledge about the area was incredible and very informative. Now, every time we drive through the canyon, we’re looking for the Wild Mustang on the river and the historical sites he pointed out.” “The boat’s maneuverability at that speed is shocking!” added Seth Davis, a passenger from Westminster. “The adventure trip will leave you surprised and impressed that a boat that size, in that little water, can do those cowboy spins and slides. There is definitely no shortage of excitement. This boat is designed for people young in age and young at heart. Everyone can come away with a true wild west Colorado experience. If you’re looking for the next new Colorado adventure, this needs to be on your bucket list.” Keys loves that he gets to share his excitement with his job. “I’ve worked on the river since I was a kid and I’ve never had the feeling of having to go to work,” he said. “This is so enjoyable and the best thing is getting people excited about being outside. Each day has its own excitement.” Jet Boat Colorado is in De Beque, 25 miles east of Grand Junction and 45 minutes west of Glenwood Springs along Interstate 70. Up to five wet and wild adventure rides and one scenic ride are offered daily. Online reservations are preferred at www.JetBoatColorado.com. coloradocountrylife.coop

[ feature] MOUNTAINTOP THRILL RIDE Not far from Jet Boat Colorado, just off I-70 in Glenwood Springs, is the Haunted Mine Drop, the newest and probably the most unusual attraction at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. It’s the only drop ride in the world that goes underground. It is expected to open for the July 4 weekend and already attracted the attention of USA Today, where it was named one of the 12 most-anticipated thrill rides for 2017. “We’re the only family-owned park on the list and the only ride in Colorado to be selected,” said owner Steve Beckley. The Haunted Mine Drop ties Glenwood Springs’ historic past to the present. Visitors take the tram up Iron Mountain from Glenwood Springs to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and enter the rustic replica of an 1890s mine at an elevation of 7,100 feet. Six people at a time will sit in the ride where ghosts from Colorado’s mining past begin telling tales of their demise beneath the surface. While the ghostly tales unfold, the floor will suddenly slide out from under the guests and they will plummet 110 feet into the mine where more ghosts continue the tales. The tales aren’t true but they’re based on real legend and lore, gathered from historical stories of early-day mining accidents and hauntings in the area. The illusions at the bottom of the mine are Pepper’s ghosts, a technique invented by “Professor” John Henry Pepper and English engineer Henry Dircks in the late 1800s. Mark McDonough and his team at St. Louis-based Creative Visions developed characters for theme parks, museums and haunted attractions for such places as Universal Studios theme parks, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags and other famous attractions, so guests can be assured of a scary and realistic underground adventure. “Our location on top of Iron Mountain bordering Glenwood Canyon, is what sets Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park apart,” Beckley said. “As a family-owned and -operated business, we can’t spend $15 million on a ride. We have to take advantage of our uniqueness to attract guests from all over the world. That’s what led us to create the only drop ride in the world that goes underground.” The history of the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park dates to 1895 when it opened to the public as the Fairy Caves. coloradocountrylife.coop

Construction of the Haunted Mine Drop is nearly complete. This new attraction at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs attracted the attention of USA Today, which named it one of the most-anticipated thrill rides for 2017. This is the first drop ride in the world to go underground and will take riders 110 feet into an old mine.

The caves closed at the onset of World War I and remained closed for 82 years until the Beckleys reopened them in 1999. At that time, visitors took a bus from Glenwood Springs to the caves. The park added the tramway in 2003 to transport guests year-round. Next came other attractions, such as the first Alpine Coaster in the United States. Beckley traveled to Germany to convince the manufacturer, Wiegand Sports, to build one at the park. Then there is the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, where you soar 625 feet down the mountain; the Giant Canyon Swing that launches riders out 1,300 feet above the Colorado River; and the Glenwood Canyon Flyer that takes riders around and around

until they swing out 1,300 feet above the canyon floor. The tram ride to the top of Iron Mountain includes an opportunity to ride 13 attractions and take two cave tours. Reservations aren’t needed. For information on hours, ticket prices and when the Haunted Mine Drop will open, visit www.GlenwoodCaverns.com. Writer Arlene Shovald of Salida has many talents and interests. Besides working as a writer, reporter and book author, she is a clinical hypnotherapist.

JULY 2017

[recipes]

BUZZWORTHY TASTES

Sweeten this summer’s grilling with a little honey BY AMY HIGGINS RECIPES@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

TIP

Home Chef Tip From the National Honey Board™ This recipe has a lot of elements, but almost all of them can be made in advance. That’s how restaurant chefs prep and how you should, too. The pickled vegetables, sweet chili mayonnaise and honeysriracha pork glaze can all be made up to three days in advance. If you do the prep over a weekend, this dish should come together as an easy weeknight meal. Simply grill the pork, toast the bread, assemble and serve. Try This Test Think you’re a grilling guru? Take this grilling quiz from WebMD and find out if your grilling habits could use some fine tuning: http:// wb.md/2svw851.

JULY 2017

The sun is shining, the garden is growing and the bees are buzzing. July is a great time to be outdoors with friends, family and food. It’s no wonder it’s National Grilling Month™. To celebrate this countrywide holiday and to recognize the importance of resurrecting our bee colonies, we found sundry mouthwatering recipes from the National Honey Board™ that will make your guests salivate. Try this recipe for your upcoming grilling get-together or search the NHB recipe database at Honey.com/recipes to find something that suits your fancy.

ASSEMBLY

1 1/2 baguettes 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves FOR THE SPIRAL PICKLED VEGETABLES:

In medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, water, honey and salt. Place carrots, cucumbers and daikon radish each in their own quart-sized mason jar or other sealed container. Divide vinegar mixture between jars and seal jars. Refrigerate at least four hours or up to three days. Before using, remove vegetables from pickling liquid and gently pat dry with paper towel. FOR THE SWEET CHILI MAYONNAISE:

In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, chili sauce, honey and lime juice. If desired, cover and refrigerate up to three days. FOR THE PORK:

Honey-Grilled Pork Bahn Mi With Spiral Pickled Vegetables SPIRAL PICKLED VEGETABLES

2 cups rice wine vinegar 2 cups water 1/2 cup honey 2 tablespoons kosher salt 2 large carrots, spiral cut 2 medium cucumbers, spiral cut 1 medium daikon radish, spiral cut SWEET CHILI MAYONNAISE

6 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce 2 teaspoons honey 2 teaspoons lime juice

Preheat the grill for direct grilling over medium heat. In small bowl, stir together sriracha and honey. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper; transfer to grill. Cook 8-10 minutes or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145 degrees, turning occasionally. Remove pork from grill; leave grill on. Brush pork with sriracha mixture. Cut whole baguette crosswise into 4 pieces; cut half baguette crosswise into 2 pieces. Slice baguette pieces lengthwise; use fingers to remove some of the bready interior of each piece. Transfer baguette pieces to the grill and cook 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted, turning frequently. Spread half of baguette pieces with sweet chili mayonnaise. Divide pork, pickled vegetables, cilantro and mint over mayonnaise-spread baguette pieces. Top with remaining baguette pieces. Recipe and photo courtesy of the National Honey Board™.

FIND MORE GREAT HONEY RECIPES ONLINE INCLUDING THIS HONEY BARBECUE BURGER

PORK

2 tablespoons sriracha 1 tablespoon honey 2 pork tenderloins, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch thick pieces kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

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[gardening]

light and water requirements. Although most gardens appear to be in full bloom by July, it is not unusual to find areas that are bare or don’t seem to be doing well. These spots may suffer from too much heat or dry soil, which are perfect areas to experiment with xeriscaping. You can find some attractive, drought resistant potted plants at your garden center. For instance, Gaillardia (blanketflower) blooms from June through September and is a wonderful way to add color to your garden. Gaillardia produces daisy-like flowers in bright reds and yellows. Echinacea and Rudbeckia are two varieties of coneflowers from the aster family that produce long-stemmed flowers with daisylike petals. Echinacea are usually pink or purple, while Rudbeckia are typically yellow or orange. Both can be planted in July and their hardy flowers will bloom until early fall. Just because you choose to Xeriscape doesn’t mean your garden has to look like a desert. Keep in mind that the low maintenance characteristic of xeriscaping does not mean “no maintenance.” Initially, while waiting for your plants to get established, it’s necessary BY VICKI SPENCER MASTER GARDENER GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG to water and weed your garden more than you will later on. Save yourself some mainWith rising summer temperatures, gardens regularly, while natives don’t require much tenance by applying mulch. Mulch keeps beg for water. Select succulents or drought time or money with soil amendments. the plant roots cooler, minimizes evaporaresistant plants, and they won’t look as When planning your Xeriscape garden parched. you need to consider your water source and tion and decreases weed growth. I prefer organic mulches because Thirty-six years ago, Denver Water coined watering methods. The most efficient way to they seem to be easier and trademarked the term “Xeriscape,” water trees, shrubs, flowers and ground to maintain and, meaning dry landscaping, or a way to garden cover is with drip, spray or bubble because of their with Colorado’s semiarid climate and soils. emitters. In our climate, it’s best to gradual decomTo some, it was thought to be a passing fad, water deeply and infrequently so position, they but “xeriscaping” actually caught as to encourage deep root help improve on quite well with gardeners growth. You also need the quality of the struggling to keep their yards to avoid watering in garden’s soil. beautiful under increasthe heat of the day Denver Water ingly restrictive water when more water has a wealth of rationing. is lost to evaporation. information about xeAs with any kind of garIf you have an automatic riscaping on its website. Visit dening, you need to idensprinkler, consider installdenverwater.org/conservation for helpful tify your soil type before ing a rain sensor to shut planning a Xeriscape garden the system off when it rains. tips, garden plans and much more. Find additional information from your local garden or choosing to incorporate That may not be often, but club or by visiting nearby garden centers. water wise plants into your why pay for expensive, treated Ask about native plants or drought resislandscape. Most gardeners find that water when Mother Nature provides tant varieties and you will find there are so clay or sandy soils dominate. Each of these fresh water for free? many options that choosing among them soil types have their own unique characterThe best way to design your garden is to will be difficult. Finally, focus on perenniistics — clay soil is dense and slow to absorb divide it into separate zones based on the als so you won’t have to start a garden from and release water, while sandy soil does not amount of light, moisture and wind that scratch year after year. hold water well and tends to dry out quickly. each area receives. Group the plants that will Nonnative plants need their soil amended be placed in each zone according to similar

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More Online: Read previous gardening columns at coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Gardening. 22

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CONTEST ENDS SOON - DEADLINE APPROACHING

Have you had a close encounter with a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! Colorado Country Life is looking for short stories (and a photo if you’ve got one) of your brushes with celebrities. We will pay $50 for any submitted story that we publish on our website and in the October issue. We will pay $25 for entries published on the website only. Deadline to share your story (and maybe a photo) is July 17 at 3 p.m. Send entries to info@coloradocountrylife.org or 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216

For official rules and an entry form, visit our website coloradocountrylife.coop

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[outdoors]

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Years ago, a big boar raccoon took up residence under our toolshed and decided to stay for awhile. He dug holes in the lawn at night hunting for worms, ripped the electric pump out of our frog pond, continually knocked over the birdbath, shredded the squirrel feeder and created a nasty coon toilet under the shrubs. Lovely. One night, for reasons I can’t imagine, he chewed up the nozzle end of a brand-new $65 garden hose. It’s funny now, but it certainly wasn’t then. Normally I think raccoons are cool; they’re cute, clever and downright entertaining. However, they can also be incredibly destructive and surprisingly vicious if aggravated. One night when I tried to chase him out of the frog pond, he defiantly stood his ground, bared his teeth and let out a hair-raising growl. That was the last straw. He had to go. We decided to trap him and release him in the boonies somewhere. I set a live trap near the frog pond just off the patio, baited it with marshmallows and went to bed. The next morning, we were horrified to find a big skunk sound asleep in the cage. My wife, Pat, shrieked, and quickly pulled the patio blinds shut so it wouldn’t see us if it woke up. “Now what?” she asked, a bit hysterically. “How are you going to get that thing out of here? What if it sprays? It’s right next to the house.” “Not to worry,” I said. “I know what to do. I read all about this on the internet. All we have to do is toss a blanket over the cage while it’s sleeping, quietly open the cage door and let it out. They won’t spray something they can’t see.” “What do you mean WE?” she snarled. Then she said a few other things I can’t repeat here. “Look, we just cut up some black plastic garbage bags, duct-tape them into a big tarp, then weight the top and bottom edges with rocks so I can toss it over the cage. I’ll sneak up on the cage, hiding behind the blanket so the skunk can’t see me. But since I won’t be

able to see where I’m going, you can watch from that open window, direct me to the cage and tell me when to toss the blanket. If the skunk wakes and acts like it’s getting ready to spray, just holler loudly: run, run! OK?”

“OK, but how do I know if it’s getting ready to spray?” she asked. “Well, if you see it turn its butt toward me, raise its tail and stomp its feet, it’s getting ready to spray. That’s your cue to scream, ‘run, run.’ Got it?” “Got it.” I snuck quietly out the back door, holding the tarp spread before me like a great black shield and slowly inched toward the cage when I thought I heard Pat whisper quietly, “Retreat, retreat.” “Huh? Retreat?” In the fraction of a second it took me to figure out what that meant, I heard the window slam shut and became aware of an evil-looking yellow mist rising from the vicinity of the cage 3 feet away. Uh-oh. Unfortunately, I ran out of space so we’ll have to pick this up in next month’s column.

Miss an issue? Catch up

at coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Outdoors. coloradocountrylife.coop

UNITED Democracy is what we call it. Together we are strong. How can we be so different, yet seem to get along? This is quite the land we live in; a messy rule the founders made, with opinions that are varied and we’ll voice them unafraid. We say the pledge and mean it, salute the flag and pray, united in adversity, still proud of the U.S.A. When you get right down to it — we still stand and sing our song five sides to every issue but we know what’s right, what’s wrong. There’s caring for our brothers when they need a helping hand. We respect the God of others, united we will stand. So unfurl those stars and stripes, sing America again. We’re a crazy bunch, I grant you, but united here we stand. The land of many colors, united we will stand. Marvin Hass, a former member of Sangre de Cristo Electric.

[ energy tips]

BUY SMART — PLAN FOR HOME ENERGY COSTS BY PAT KEEGAN

When it comes to buying a home, buyers should consider energy costs such as electricity, gas and propane. The average The energy efficiency of your new home will impact home has your energy bills and approximately comfort for years to come. $2,000 in energy Photo credit: American expenses per Advisors Group year, which is a lot of money over the life of the home. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a home: The size of the home — As square footage increases, lighting requirements increase and, more importantly, the burden on heating and cooling equipment increases. The type of home — Residents of manufactured homes spend about 70 percent more on energy per square foot of living space as residents of site-built homes. The home’s energy performance — Although you may request copies of energy bills, this is not a precise measure of home energy performance. The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is like a “miles per gallon” rating for a home that allows consumers to comparison-shop based on energy performance. A certified Residential Energy Services Network home energy rater can inspect the home and develop a HERS rating. The age of the heating system — If the home’s heating system is more than 10 years old, it may be necessary to replace it in the near term. The home’s building envelope — Features like doors, walls and the roof insulate the home’s interior from the outdoor environment. If the quality of the building envelope is compromised, it can contribute to higher heating and cooling costs. This column was written by Pat Keegan of Collaborative Efficiency.

Visit coloradocountrylife.coop to learn more about purchasing an energy-efficient home. Look under the Energy tab. coloradocountrylife.coop

JULY 2017

THE TEAM IS RAISING MONEY TO HELP THOSE WHO STRUGGLE TO PAY THEIR HEATING BILLS. A team of representatives from local electric co-ops will ride in the 2017 Pedal the Plains bicycle tour of the eastern plains of Colorado. This three-day tour will take riders on a 177-mile adventure highlighting three unique and quaint communities in Weld and Morgan counties: Kersey, Keenesburg and Brush. If you want to sponsor the team and help raise money for Energy Outreach Colorado, fill out the form here and send it with your check. Make check payable to CEEI.

DONATE TODAY

SPONSOR OUR TEAM AND HELP RAISE MONEY FOR

To send your tax-deductible Powering the Plains donation, fill out this form and send it with a check to: CEEI, c/o CREA/PTP, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216. Name: Address:

City:

ZIP:

I would like to contribute: ❏ $20 ❏ $50 ❏ $75 ❏ OTHER $

Donations will benefit Energy Outreach Colorado. CREDIT CARD DONATIONS NOW AVAILABLE, VISIT POWERINGTHEPLAINS.COOP

For more information or to make a donation via PayPal, visit tinyurl.com/poweringtheplains. 26

JULY 2017

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[ marketplace] CREA WISHES YOU A AND YOUR FAMILY A HAPPY 4TH

Who? Who will know your business? Everyone! Advertise in MarketPlace and everyone will know your BUSINESS. Call Kris for information at 303-902-7276

• Comes in various Sizes and Colors. • Website shows nearly 100 uses for this product. • Helps prevent Bruising, Cuts, Scratches, and Burns. • Ideal for those who Bruise Easily or have Thin Skin. • Protection from thorny/needled plants & trees. • Easily worn under regular gloves or over sleeves.

coloradocountrylife.coop

POLE BARNS

Specializing in Post Frame Metal Buildings Hay Sheds, Machines, Sheds, Horse Barns, Garages, Residential Homes, Commercial Buildings, Plumbing, and Concrete in Colorado.

Serving the Entire State of Colorado

A&C

BARN BUILDERS, LLC

800.889.1096 www.aandcbuilders.com

25 Year Warranty • Easy Bolt-Together Design Engineered Stamp Blueprints

Farm • Industrial • Commercial

RHINOBLDG.COM

888-875-8233

info@rhinobldg.com

Do You Have the Perfect View for this Home? This Cedarwood B blends the features of a ranch home with the “view maximizing look” of a prow home. This home has a formal dining room, five foot shower in the master bath, huge master closet and hand hewn beams in the kitchen and living room.

1-800-759-2782

www.heritagehomesofne.com coloradocountrylife.coop

JULY 2017

[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 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 CHAIR CANING -- Hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-547-0723. chaanita@q.com (858-10-17)

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. 18 years at this location, over 900 satisfied customers! Designers: We can provide you a single item or a whole houseful. Call ! (970) 627-3053. (085-09-17)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

(These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.) AT LAST! A REAL HOME BUSINESS — Learn how to become a freight broker or freight agent in less than 30 days. Go to: www. HomeFreightBrokerBusiness. com (350-07-17)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

HEALTH FOOD STORE & DELI: 2 turnkey businesses in one. Strong income/customer base. Colorado mountains (970-641-5175), leave name & number. (252-08-17)

CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION

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. (109-07-17)

ENERGY

SOLAR WATER SYSTEMS — livestock or any remote location. 3-10 gpm. Variable speed. Call Peterson High Reach for free quote, 719-688-0081. Windmills available. (316-09-17)

EVENTS

DYNAMIC GUIDED TOURS, interactive exhibits, educational events at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry. Check us out www.wmmi.org, 225 N. Gate Blvd., Colorado Springs, 80921, 719-488-0880 (346-09-17)

EVENTS

POLKA LOVERS Klub of America — Dance to a live band Sundays, 3-7pm. Denver Kickers Sport Club, 16776 W. 50th Ave., Golden, CO. $5.00/members, $10.00/ non-members. polkadenver.com for information / band schedule. Leo, 720-232-0953 (345-09-17)

The June classified ads contest winner is Laurie Hallenbeck of Hyden. She correctly counted 27 ads. 28

JULY 2017

LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME opportunity. No sales, investment, risk. Training/website provided. Monthly income plus bonuses, benefits. Call Carrie 303-5794207, www.livetotalwellness. com/livehealthy (932-02-18)

POULTRY & GAMEBIRDS

FOOD

FREE BUTCHER SUPPLY CATALOG — Meat grinders, saws, slicers, cutlery, seasonings – Everything for the home butcher. Pioneer Butcher Supplies in Loveland, CO, since 1975. 1-888-891-7057 toll free. (349-12-17)

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. (876-08-17)

FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS — $400 with warranty. Also sell portable concentrators and oxygen supplies. Repair and service of equipment. Aspen Concentrator Repair Service 719-471-9895 (040-08-17) WIN $25 gift card. To enter email number of ads to classifieds@ coloradocountrylife.org. Put WIN $25 in the subject line. Include name/address/phone number. Deadline noon July 17. WALDEN ALPACA YARN — 200 yd skeins in many different weights. Lovely shades of brown, black, tan, and white. All skeins at least 80% alpaca. Hypoallergenic and very warm. Becky 970-222-3219 jrizor@centurytel.net (341-07-17)

FREE

SOON CHURCH AND GOVERNMENT UNITING will suppress “Religious Liberty,” enforcing a “National Sunday Law,” leading to the “Mark of the Beast.” Be informed / Be forewarned! Need mailing address for FREE materials. TBSM, Box 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo. com 1-888-211-1715. (814-08-17)

GRASS

Find hidden treasure 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.

HELP WANTED

STOP FEEDING PRAIRIE DOGS. We’ll rent 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 (069-08-17)

DISCOVER BEAVER LAKES! 10 miles south of Leadville. New custom 2-story with 4br, 3.5ba. Breathtaking mountain, lake, aspen grove views from every room. Reduced $120,000 to $479,000. Call Joe Arnold at 303-550-3794. (351-10-17) FSBO: OAK CREEK/STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — 3 corner lots centrally located above park – great views. Scrape off & build. $75k OBO, 719-890-4488. (348-10-17) READY TO RETIRE? +-13 acres near Mancos, CO. Trout-stocked canyon lake, commercial greenhouse, gardens, lots of water, passive solar timber frame home. $525,000. Jim, 970-769-1391, for pictures. (282-10-17) TIN CUP, COLORADO — 1600sf log home, attached 30x90 workshed, 3 car building for storage. Willow Creek runs through adjacent BLM land. Seasonal access or snowmobile. Matt, Monarch Realty, 970-641-1900. (340-10-17) WE BUY LAND and/or mineral rights. CO TX NM KS. 1-800316-5337 (099-04-18)

VACATION RENTALS

3BDR, 2BA, HOT TUB, open year around, pet friendly, redfeatherlakescabin.com 970286-9028, $195/nt (344-09-17)

WANTED TO BUY

CAST-IRON COOKWARE (Wagner & Griswold). Pyrex. Old toys in good condition. Vintage signs. Anything cowboy and Indian – hats, boots, spurs, rugs, etc. After family gets what they want, we’ll buy the rest. Antiques, collectibles, furniture, glassware, etc. We come to you! 970759-3455 or 970-565-1256. (871-08-17) NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@ hotmail.com (817-12-17) OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1975. Call Wes 303-757-8553. (889-08-17) 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. (519-11-17) OLD POCKET WATCHES — working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209. (870-06-18) WANT TO PURCHASE mineral and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. (402-03-18) WANTED: JEEP CJ OR WRANGLER. Reasonably priced. No rust buckets. 888-735-5337 (099-04-18) WE PAY CASH for mineral and oil/gas interests, producing and nonproducing. 800-733-8122 (099-02-18)

TICKETS

NFR & PBR RODEO TICKETS — Las Vegas. Call 1-888-NFR-Rodeo (1-888637-7633). www.NFR-rodeo.com A+ rated BBB Member. (912-04-18)

JUNE GIVEAWAY WINNER Winner of the Hot Logic 3-In-1 electric lunchbox is Willa Roelle of Akron. coloradocountrylife.coop

[ funny stories]

READERS PHOTOS

My 5-year-old great-nephew is extremely energetic and sometimes mischievous, which gets him into some trouble at times, so I was surprised when he was subdued at the beginning of a recent visit. He told me he had some bad news and sadly told me that his friend’s grandmother died. “Oh, how sad!” I said. “Did you tell your friend you were sorry about his grandmother?” He looked at me with an alarmed expression and said, “But Auntie, I didn’t do it!” Joan Cunningham, Monument

Cody Fowler of Pueblo West runs the Great Wall marathon in China and brings his copy of CCL. Colorado Country Life takes a patriotic visit to Corpus Christi, Texas, and the U.S.S. Lexington with Elizabeth Amthor of Peyton. Elizabeth is a member of Mountain View Electric.

My granddaughter and her young son just finished a hunter safety course. As they were driving home after class, her son asked, “Mom, who is Will?” “What do you mean?” she asked. He replied, “The instructor kept saying, ‘Ready, aim and fire at will.’” Donna Hellyer, Hayden

The Bryan family from Twin Lakes enjoy snorkeling and CCL during their vacation near Cancun, Mexico.

WINNER: Lisa Yerger of Colorado Springs enjoys a girls week with friends in Treasure Island, Florida.

When I returned home from walking my puppy, my 10-year-old niece, Andrea, said she did me a favor. I asked her what it was and she said, “I got your mail for you.” I took it and said, “These are all bills!” She grabbed the mail from my hands and said, “Who’s Bill?” Janet Montano, Campbellsburg, Indiana Mary Varoglu of Gunnison County Electric visits the Barceloa Cathedral in Spain with her copy of CCL.

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 a $25 gift card each month. The next deadline is Monday, July 17. This month’s winner is Lisa Yerger of Colorado Springs. She visited Treasure Island, Florida. coloradocountrylife.coop

Our 3-year-old great-grandson, Logan, was with us on one of his normal baby-sitting days. My wife called us to lunch and he announced that he had to go to the bathroom first. He disappeared into the bathroom and tended to his duty. When he came out I asked him if he washed his hands. He replied, “I don’t need to, Grandpa. I have a fork.” Sonja and Ray Mehaffey, Fort Collins

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 2017 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 JULY 2017

[discoveries]

17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose

In the heart of Ute territory in southwestern Colorado stands a museum that celebrates and honors the lives, traditions and background of the Ute Indians. Originally built in 1956 near the ranch of Uncompahgre leader Chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta, the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose was recently renovated and reopened. The museum houses approximately 200 Ute artifacts — including a velvet dress that belonged to Chipeta as well as personal effects of Ute leaders Chief Ignacio, Chief Buckskin Charley and Chief Ouray — and a broad collection of works created by contemporary Ute artists. History Colorado and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Southern Ute Tribe and Ute Indian Tribe of Uintah and Ouray Reservation collaborated on the building’s design and exhibit content. For more information, call 970-249-3098 or visit historycolorado.org.

Photo credit: History Colorado

Ute Indian Museum Open Air Adventure Park 490 Prospect Village Drive, Estes Park Suit up and get ready for a heartpounding experience at the Open Air Adventure Park in Estes Park. This aerial jungle gym features rope bridges, tightropes and moving platforms 10 to 21 feet above ground. A smart belay helps participants guide themselves through the exciting course. Participants must be 5 years old or older; children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 970-586-3066 or visit openairadventurepark.com. See how the smart belay works at https://vimeo.com/146078525.

Vogel Canyon

South of La Junta on Highway 109

CASTLE ROCK ZIP LINE TOURS 1375 W. Plum Creek Parkway, Castle Rock

Check out Castle Rock Zip Line Tours for some summer excitement. This adventure company has three exhilarating experiences to choose from: Denver’s Best Zip Line Tour, where you take flight through 10 zip lines while experiencing the magnificent views of Colorado’s Front Range; EPIC Adventure Tower, where you scale up and down a 42-foot climbing wall, then rappel, jump and soar down from a 75-foot eagle’s nest platform; and the EPIC Sky Trek Challenge, an aerial trekking course featuring more than 100 impressive obstacles. For information, call 720-733-9477 or visit castlerockziplinetours.com. 30

JULY 2017

Surround yourself with stunning views and times gone by at Vogel Canyon in southeastern Colorado. This canyon features easy to moderate hiking, biking and horseback riding access through a beautiful landscape that includes Native American carvings dating from the 1200s to the 1700s. Camping is allowed at Vogel Canyon, but only near the parking area. When visiting, be sure to bring plenty of water as the spring water is not safe for consumption. For information, visit fs.usda.gov. coloradocountrylife.coop

coloradocountrylife.coop

JULY 2017