1Buckley Air Force Base: Buckley is Colorado’s secret jewel. It’s not only key to the nation’s 21st-century military, but also a big part of the Colorado community. When I meet someone from Buckley, I’m always struck by their dedication and professionalism – and that makes me proud to be an American. Oh yeah, the jets are pretty cool too.
2Colorado’s Western hospitality and small-town atmosphere: One of the things I always hear about Colorado is that it feels like a small town. It doesn’t matter whether you were born here or arrived yesterday, wherever you go, you’ll run into people you know or that you knew while growing up.
3The lunch buffet at Yummy Yummy Tasty Thai: Make mine the Royal Chicken, and make sure you have plenty of water nearby if you’re going to try the curry! One of the many positive aspects of the region’s cultural diversity is the hundreds of outstanding ethnic eateries that we get to enjoy. Because it’s across from the Fitzsimons campus, I’ve hosted many a lunch meeting at Yummy Yummy.
4Saturday soccer games at Aurora Sports Park: The best thing about Colorado is our kids, and that’s why we built a great place for them to play. Every weekend, hundreds of families come together at the Sports Park to enjoy their kids. Their energy and joy is contagious.
5The view of the Rockies from metro-area trails: The metro area has hundreds of trails that are close to everything, and yet tucked away enough to make you feel removed from the urban environment. Depending on which one you choose – my favorite is the 14-mile Sand Creek Regional Greenway – you can get some great views while enjoying an active Colorado lifestyle.
