If it were up to Rep. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs, the state would put its rainy day money into gold bars and store it at the Capitol.
The Colorado Springs Republican last week floated the idea of using the severance-tax revenue Colorado collects from drilling and mining and converting that money into gold. He said the move would offer the state a hedge against inflation, and would give residents the opportunity to see their money in physical assets.
Of course, the state would have to spend a wad on security and a new vault. Even Lambert called it a “hare-brained” idea, but inexplicably said he’d probably bring it back next year.
We have to wonder whether the representative has been watching too many late-night infomercials. Of course, at least it would give the school kids who tour the Capitol something new to see: Fort Lambert.
Now that’s special. This year’s State Winter Games for the Special Olympics has some special friends. A Denver-area couple made an $80,000 anonymous donation to save the event, which had been called off for lack of money. Their benevolence will allow about 400 athletes to attend the 32nd annual games, which will be held in late March at Copper Mountain Resort and at an ice arena in Vail. It’s a heart-warming gift for a great cause. Let the games begin.
“Who Dat” say the NFL is the No Fun League? The National Football League, which will stop at nothing to protect its copyrights, recently saw the limits of that strategy. The NFL wisely backed off assertions that it owns the rights to the “Who Dat?” slogan often chanted by New Orleans Saints fans when it appears on unofficial merchandise. Previously, the league had mailed letters to shop owners in New Orleans who were selling items bearing the “Who Dat?” phrase, saying they would have to pay for the right to sell the goods with the phrase and the fleur-de-lis symbol on them.
After a political dust-up, the NFL backed off the claim, saying “Who Dat” products were fine as long as they don’t “include the NFL or Saints trademarks.” Somebody ought to be wearing a bag on his head at today’s Super Bowl for that idea, and it ain’t Saints fans.
Fee, fine, ho hum. Kudos to Colorado legislators who are working to reduce some of the more onerous vehicle registration late fees approved last year, which included $100 fines on those who were late registering boat trailers. House Bill 1212 also would allow county clerks to waive fines for certain reasons, which adds some common sense into the law.
Short Takes is compiled by Denver Post editorial writers and expresses the view of the newspaper’s editorial board.
