With little fanfare, Rocky Mountain National Park passed a milestone last week. On Tuesday, the well-appreciated jewel of the Rockies turned 95 years old. We’re tempted to joke here that she doesn’t look a day over 39, but our beloved park continues to show some of the wear and tear that comes with being terribly popular.
Pine beetles have been particularly harsh in recent years and a lack of federal dollars has led to $50 million in deferred maintenance projects. And meanwhile, the chemical makeup of both soil and high mountain lakes is becoming more toxic as the park becomes infiltrated by agricultural and industrial pollution.
But the park remains a crown jewel and we will continue to advocate for the stewardship and resources to keep it a special and welcoming place.
Michelle, call and see if they picked my number. It’s one of the best excuses ever for getting out of jury duty. Call it the old “State of the Union” excuse. Of course, it only works if you’re actually the president. That’s right, President Obama was called to jury duty in Chicago last week, but he was, well, busy.
South Carolina’s new slogan: Visit, despite the politicians.What is it with South Carolina politicians these days? Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer stepped in it this past week when he likened government assistance for the poor to feeding stray animals. The kicker? He got free lunches as a child.
Call it the “no love” for the Broncos train. We can’t help but notice that the Coors Light “Love Train to the Super Bowl” commercial, in which the Silver Bullet train flashes great scenes of Super Bowls past, includes not one image of the Denver Broncos. Not only is Coors our proud hometown brewery, the Broncos have played in six Super Bowls. Only two teams — Dallas and Pittsburgh — have played in more. C’mon, Coors, where’s the love?
U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! And finally, we tip our caps to Rachael Flatt, a Cheyenne Mountain High School senior who last weekend won the women’s U.S. Figure Skating Championship. She will represent the U.S. at the Olympics in Vancouver next month. And she’s a straight-A student to boot. Go get ’em, Rachael.
Short Takes is compiled by Denver Post editorial writers and expresses the view of the newspaper’s editorial board.
