Is Colorado the Florida of the Rocky Mountain West?
The signs were becoming alarming clear that maybe, just maybe, Coloradans needed to do a little self-reflection on our crazy. As a person who grew up here, I was finding myself pausing more and more often and thinking…that’s wild, I can’t believe that happened here. And I began thinking that other people were having a similar reaction to the wild stories and experiences that we were having here.
And after the last time I asked on Twitter if we found that box of heads that was stolen off a truck a couple of years ago, I figured it was time for us to have this conversation. Is Colorado the Florida of the Rocky Mountain West with a slight lefty twist?We’re a little weird but are we getting weirder? Listen on.
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Legalizing Pot Wasn’t a Deal
At least not to us. Why? Because as part of outdoors and ski culture enjoying a little apres ski pot wasn’t a big deal. So when the state legalized pot in 2012, we were caught a little off guard by the…enthusiasm of the masses. The first three years were rough. And while I think we’ve done a pretty solid job with the policy (except for waiting until 2020 to pardon people with minor pot related offenses) it has been wild to watch the industry become a part of regular every day Colorado life.
By the way, I voted “no” for legalization. I believe with great freedom comes great responsibility and I wasn’t sure if we were ready to handle it.
That Time When We Said “No” to the Olympics
Did you know that Denver is the only city in the world to turn down the Olympics after they were awarded the Games? Denver citizens said “Fuck those games” after being awarded the 1976 Winter Games. And I’m glad that they did because I remember watching how Greece went into debt after hosting the 2004 Summer Olympics. I will say that we could host them now because we actually have the infrastructure but I don’t think we’re interested in all of the stress that comes with it.
We Have a Festival for a Dead Guy
I’m not making this up. I’ve attended this festival. It’s called Frozen Dead Guy days and it’s in tribute to a gentleman that many of us refer to as “Grandpa” who died and then was placed in a Tuff Shed and kept preserved via dry ice. Frozen Dead Guy days is typically held in March and includes music, hearses, costumed coffin races and frozen turkey bowling to name a few of the activities involved as well as live music.
Other Things That We’ve Been Doing
There is a random man that plays drums in the most unlikely of places. Like the middle median of a highway. I haven’t figured out how he’s able to set up so quickly to jam out. Or the time that a couple used a Lime Scooter on I-25 unironically making their way from one place to other. There’s video.
Then there’s our state reps.
I don’t want to get into it. But there are several that have gotten into some awkward shenanigans.
What about Mike the Headless Chicken? Mike is the chicken whose head was cut off and Mike managed to live for almost two more years. HOW DOES THAT WORK? You can ask questions at the festival in Fruita.
And for more years than you would believe, CU Boulder had the Alferd Packard Grill and Alferd Packard Days…where they celebrated how Alferd Packard survived being out in the wilderness through…allegedly eating the other people out there with him.
We Stay Doing Things That Keep Us in The News
How about that Presidential ballot conversation we’re currently in the midsts in right now. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens with the lawsuit that we’re currently in the midsts of litigating on a National level. You know the case that I’m talking about.
And then there are the bad things that we are known for. Infamous events that we can never live down. You can look them up. There are several throughout history.
Fortunately, for every horrible thing there are good events to balance out those moments in history.
Colorado Is Different From Florida
In a couple of important ways and I’m not talking about having mountains, snow and no beaches.
- Colorado has universal vote by mail. All registered voters are sent their ballot for every election. Then, they drop them off in a ballot box.
- Colorado passed a Universal Free Meals law allowing all students to eat breakfast and lunch while they’re at school regardless of income.
- We passed a Family and Medical Leave Bill that is now active in the state and solo entrepreneurs can also pay into it.
We get things wrong like every state, but I’m so thankful for the things that we’ve gotten right.
Colorado Keep On Being You
I love that Colorado people are as unpredictable as our weather and continue to move to the beat of our own drummer. I know a ridiculous number of people who were making their way to California and stopped when they arrived in Colorado because they loved it so much (or, their car broke do) But, I do wonder at times if other people are asking-What in the hell is going on in Colorado? Let me know what you think.