BECAUSE YOU ASKED
Q: I am confused by the mileage signs on westbound Interstate 80 and Interstate 76 coming into Colorado from Nebraska. One sign says Denver 190, and then 12 miles farther another sign says Denver 188 on I-80. After merging onto I-76 and driving 4 more miles, another sign says Denver 186. Why is there a discrepancy?
A: Distances on the Colorado side are to Denver’s downtown post office. This is consistent with other Colorado signs that use estimates to a central business district, post office or the Capitol.
Using those destination guidelines, the I-80 sign is not correct and the Colorado Department of Transportation will ask the Nebraska Department of Transportation to make it consistent with Colorado’s. CDOT does not know what Nebraska used as a location for its estimate.
Source: Colorado Department of Transportation
Q: Have you ever heard of “Falfa”? Where is it?
A: Falfa was founded around the turn of the 20th century in La Plata County, about 8 miles southeast of Durango. The town was originally called “Alfalfa” for the abundance of that crop in the area. It was changed when the post office was established because another town in Larimer County was named Alfalfa.
Sources: “Colorado Place Names,” by William Bright; rootsweb.com/~coplaces/city-f.html
– Compiled by Bonnie Gilbert
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, send questions to becauseyouasked@denverpost.com or Because You Asked, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202. Include your name, city of residence and phone number.
REGIONAL NOTES
ESTES PARK
Public meeting on forest project
The U.S. Forest Service is holding a public meeting Monday to discuss proposed treatments for the Thompson River Fuels Reduction Project.
The project’s area includes communities southeast of Estes Park, south of U.S. 34 and east of U.S. 36. The goal is to strategically treat national forest lands to reduce the potential impacts of wildfire to surrounding communities, watersheds and other resources.
The meeting will be at the Estes Park Municipal Building – 170 MacGregor Ave. – at 6:30 p.m. Specialists will present an overview of the project. A representative from the Colorado State Forest Service will answer questions.
For more information, call 970-295-6761.
PARKER
Disabled equestrians to compete
Horse riders with physical disabilities from four states will gather for the Special Equestrian Games of Colorado. The games will be Saturday at Miss Helen’s Place, 60 Singing Hills Road, a therapeutic riding center.
The Games are sponsored by the Denver-based North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.
Riders with physical disabilities often gain improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength through riding. People with mental or emotional disabilities can form relationships with horses that help them build confidence, patience and self-esteem. For more information, go to misshelensplace.com or narha.org.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
County pushes away smokers
A new policy will push smokers farther away from some Jefferson County government buildings.
Smokers must light up at least 15 feet away from each county facility, with a 50-foot perimeter and a designated smoking area established at the main county facility, the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility, 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. Smoking also is prohibited in all county vehicles unless the county administrator grants an exemption.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
