Outside the Springs

The narrow passage of Proposition 114 on Nov. 3 will allow the reintroduction of wolves in Colorado. The ballot measure passed with 50.91% of voters saying “yes” and 49.09% voting “no.” Therefore, the measure was only given the green light by around 60,000 votes and most people voting “yes” live in urban areas, while those who live in the rural districts where the wolves would be introduced voted “no.”

How do you tie the knot without the guests? Part 1 of a 2-part series researching the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on Colorado's wedding industry.

“Against what is stupid, nonsensical, erroneous, and evil, liberalism fights with the weapons of the mind, and not with brute force and repression.” ~ Ludwig von Mises

Accountability is a powerful deterrent. It tells police officers their actions will be monitored. “Defund the police” is essentially a call for accountability but it unfairly targets and blames law enforcement entirely for its actions. It is politicians and government bureaucrats who work to create more laws and actions for the police to engage.

In 2007, the New York Times published an article labeling Manitou Springs a “hippie Mayberry,” in reference to the classic television series, “The Andy Griffith Show.” For those not in the know, its opening sequence contains an earworm-forming whistling tune and revolves around a kind, gentle local sheriff and his family as he handles policing issues within his community in fictional Mayberry, North Carolina.

“[They were] crushing their previous visitation numbers.” That’s how Jeanette Lara, Southeast Region Volunteer Coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, refers to the number of visitors this summer to Lake Pueblo State Park.

“Since no one’s taking vacations, they’re taking that money and utilizing it on home remodel,” says Bob Mock, owner of A Finished Touch, LLC, a general contractor specializing in home improvement.

Vacation rental giants like Airbnb and VRBO are mired in litigation with their clients and hosts challenging the companies over refunds brought on by COVID-19 related closures, amid other issues. Entire class-action lawsuits have escalated the debates around the company’s refund policies. Amid the crisis, Airbnb is said to have lost over 80 percent of its business. Such a decline in activity has rendered the company a casualty of the pandemic-related economic slide.

Once known as The Queen City of the Plains or the Gateway to the Rockies, Denver is rapidly descending into a cesspool of violence and filth. Fifteen years ago, if I met a friend for dinner in LoDo or went to a game at Pepsi Center, I would walk back along the 16th Street Mall at 10 or 11 o’clock with little concern for my safety. Today, it’s not worth the risk or the hassle.

You're probably ecstatic over the many reopening plans in progress. The SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease have been unprecedented challenges for the states and local communities.