BECAUSE YOU ASKED
Q: Why are mowing operations done on the sides of highways? The area at the junction of C-470 and U.S. 285 has hundreds of blue flax wildflowers growing, and before they are finished blooming they are mowed down.
A: The areas along highways are mowed because deer come to eat the wildflowers, and some cross the roadway and are struck by cars.
Source: Colorado Department of Transportation
Q: Near the Greenland exit on the east side of Interstate 25 there are many overhead powerlines which are tilted. Why are they tilted?
A: The transmission lines are slanted so that they are out of the way while new lines are being installed. By keeping the old lines in place, service will not be interrupted before the new lines can be set up. The tilted lines will be removed when the upgrade work is complete.
Source: Intermountain Rural Electric Association; Xcel Energy
Q: Is anything in Colorado named Schuyler?
A: The only place found is Schuyler Gulch in Jefferson County. It’s listed on the USGS website.
Source: USGS
COMPILED BY BONNIE GILBERT
HAVE A QUESTION?
Have you ever wondered how to register your child for school? What a political caucus is and how to get information about one? How many “fourteeners” Colorado has? If you’d like information about something in the state outside Denver, send questions to because youasked@denverpost.com or mail to: Because You Asked, Denver Post, 1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202. Include your name, city of residence and phone number.
REGIONAL NOTES
AURORA
City game for coffee celebration
Aurora celebrates the all-mighty coffee bean at Java Fest, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at Fletcher Plaza, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.
The free event will feature coffee sampling, a life-size chess game, a giant crossword puzzle, acoustic guitar performances and coffee merchandise. For more information, call 303-326-8615.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Fire district sets budget hearing
The West Metro Fire Protection District will hold a hearing on its $41.6 million budget for 2006 at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at 433 S. Allison Parkway in Lakewood. Flat revenues and increasing costs have forced the district, which serves 110 square miles including Lakewood, Morrison, Jefferson County and parts of Douglas County, to lay off five civilian employees and cut a number of public programs.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
