State Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, is crafting a bill that would forgive landowners’ financial liability if they were to allow cyclists to use part of their property as a race route.
The way Brophy, an avid cyclist, sees it, the more bike-friendly Colorado becomes, the more tourism dollars could flow into the financially strapped state.
“Colorado is already a great destination for cycling,” said Brophy, who logs roughly 5,000 miles a year on a bike. “Mountain biking is growing, and the more places you have to recreate like this, the more likely it is that you’ll have people coming here to do it.”
This issue rose to the forefront when state Sen. Chris Romer organized the Bailey Hundo, a 100-mile race.
“He wanted the course to go across a rancher’s property,” Brophy said, “but (the rancher) said, ‘No.’ “
Brophy took over the cause when Romer announced his run for mayor of Denver.
“I have never lost a cycling bill,” said Brophy, an eight-year state senator. “I have a pretty good record.”
Brophy plans to introduce the bill next session, which opens Jan. 12.
Gov. Bill Ritter’s office estimates Colorado will have a $262 million general- fund shortfall for the 2010-11 budget year, which runs through June.
Tourism spending in the state fell 11 percent to $8.6 billion last year, according to travel surveyor Longwoods International.
Good eats.
The dates for the wildly popular dining-deal program Denver Restaurant Weeks will be Feb. 26 to March 11.
More than 250 restaurants have already signed up for the event, which significantly extends the boffo business that restaurants typically experience over Valentine’s.
Deadline for restaurants to sign up is Monday. Newbies joining the multi-course meal for the fixed price of $52.80 for two ($26.40 for one) are Beatrice & Woodsley, Big Game, ChoLon, Edge, Euclid Hall, Shanahan’s and Wyland’s Ocean Blue.
Other interested restaurants should contact Ann Wood at awood@visitdenver.com or 303-571-9477.
Valuable valet.
‘Burb dwellers who avoid holiday hoopla in downtown Denver because of parking concerns can now chose a new valet service at the Denver Pavilions on Glen arm Place off the 16th Street Mall.
The car dropoff is by the crosswalk on Glenarm between 15th and 16th streets. The service runs nightly, with added hours to cover select downtown events.
Cost ranges between $5 and $15. The Paramount Theatre and Jazz@Jacks offer patrons validations for discounts.
More Riverfront relief.
Cynthia Shaw McLaughlin, director of the Boettcher Mansion in Golden, is offering to work with some of her “preferred vendors” to offer special packages to clients who were displaced after the sudden closing of Leo Goto’s Riverfront restaurant and events space in Littleton.
Interested parties should contact event manager Laurie Vogt, 720-497-7633 or lvogt@jeffco.us.
EAVESDROPPING
A well-dressed woman talking to a dealer about replacing her broken vacuum-cleaner wheel. The dealer showed her a new wheel, which was a different color:
“I’m concerned that the wheels on my vacuum cleaner won’t match.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
