The editors who compile “Ripley’s Believe It or Not,” refer to the people listed inside as BIONs (pronounced bye-ons), shorthand for their often improbable accomplishments. Colorado can be proud to count half a dozen BIONs in the new 2008 Ripley’s book. Meet them!
Gatorama
Colorado Gators, Mosca; gator wrestling lessons for $100
Believe it or not: Learn to tangle with an alligator up to 11 feet long! Top gator wrangler Jay Young gets bit at least once a year!
Cruel and unusual?
Paul Sacco, Weld County judge; music appreciation for malefactors
Believe it or not: Sacco’s “Music Immersion” sentences Fort Lupton noise-ordinance violators to one hour, on a Friday night, of listening to music by the Captain and Tennille, Barry Manilow and Barney the purple dinosaur! Go to for a live report on the Sept. 12 session!
Hooping it up
Mike Campbell, Denver; free throws
Believe it or not: In August 2007, Campbell made 1,338 free throws at the downtown Denver YMCA! That’s faster than one throw every three seconds! More than 90 percent of those shots got nothin’ but net!
He gets around
Reza Baluchi, Boulder; long-distance runner
Believe it or not: In 2007, Baluchi spent six months jogging the U.S. perimeter! At age 36, he ran an average of 55 miles a day!
Taking the plunge
Darren Taylor, Denver; high dive, shallow pool
Believe it or not: Taylor can dive from a 35-foot-high platform into a child’s inflatable pool containing only 12 inches of water! Inside tip: Keep an aloe plant handy to speed recovery from bruising!
Drawing the line
Jeff Gagliardi, graphic designer, Lyons; Etch A Sketch artist
Believe it or not: Completed his first Etch A Sketch drawings — the Taj Mahal, with reflecting pools — in 1974! Length of time to complete a sketch: five to 20 hours! Occupational hazard: returning from a break and forgetting where the etching stylus is! Next project: A triptych of “Guernica”! See more online at !
