BECAUSE YOU ASKED
Q: Where did the name “Kenosha” come from?
A: Kenosha Pass and Kenosha Peak in Park County were named for Kenosha, Wis., by a stage coach driver who was from there. The town in Wisconsin was named for the Algonquin word meaning “pike fish.”
Source: “Colorado Place Names” by William Bright.
Q: How did the area around West 78th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard get the name Indian Tree?
A: Legend tells of an Indian battle on the hill that is now Hackberry Hill near West 68th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard in Arvada. An Indian chief, who was carrying hackberry seeds in a pouch, was killed there and buried at the top of that hill. From those seeds, a hackberry tree grew and became a landmark for wagon trains and stagecoaches because it could be seen from as far away as Denver. The tree became a symbol of the community, but in 1936 a vandal chopped down the original tree. Later, a new tree was planted by the Arvada Garden Club, but it wasn’t until North Jeffco Park and Recreation built the golf course that the name “Indian Tree” was used.
Source: Arvada Historical Society
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
COLORADO SPRINGS
Comic Leno to headline “Healing”
The host of NBC’s “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” will headline the Pikes Peak Foundation for Mental Health’s fourth annual “Humor Is Healing” fundraiser May 6 at the Broadmoor Hotel.
About 900 tickets will be available starting Feb. 1. Tickets for the dinner and show are $150 each.
The Pikes Peak Foundation for Mental Health is a nonprofit group that raises money for the Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group, which includes the Pikes Peak Mental Health Center.
Proceeds from the event will benefit children and families in need of behavioral health services. Tickets will be available online at www.ppbhg.org.
GOLDEN
High court upholds suit’s dismissal
The Colorado Supreme Court this week upheld a Colorado Court of Appeals decision to support the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by BJC Development Corp.
BJC’s principals, Robert Wyler and county critic Mike Zinna, claimed in a 2002 lawsuit that Jefferson County reneged on a deal to develop about 125 acres of airport land.
In November 2003, a Jefferson County District Court ruled in favor of the county, saying BJC officials were “calculatedly ignorant” in thinking they had a contract with the county.
The appeals court ruled last March that there was no contract.
“Obviously, this is great news,” said Commissioner Kevin McCasky, who said the county may try to recover costs associated with fighting the lawsuit. “We are forging ahead with trying to bring paying jobs and some development (to the airport).”
AURORA
Chinese new year to be celebrated
People are invited to celebrate the Chinese new year at the Aurora History Museum from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
The event will feature folk dances and traditions performed by the Denver Chinese Cultural Center of Colorado.
Admission is $3 for Aurora residents and $4 for nonresidents.
For more information, call 303-739-6666.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
