COOK WITH TEAM USA PG 10 / CO-OPS DAUNTING CHALLENGE PG 16 / CREATE A FIRE RESISTANT OASIS PG 18
POUDRE VALLEY RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
JULY 2021
READY FOR THE
OLYMPICS? AN ATHLETE’S PERSPECTIVE
Number 07
Volume 52
July 2021 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
“Dog Days of Summer” by Dennis Howard, a consumer-member of San Isabel Electric Association.
3 VIEWPOINT
4 LETTERS
5 YOUR CO-OP NEWS
10 RECIPES
11 NEWS CLIPS
12 COVER STORY AN INSIDER’S VIEW OF THE OLYMPICS
16 ENERGY CONNECTIONS
18 GARDENING
19 OUTDOORS
ADVERTISING Kris Wendtland, Ad Representative advertising@coloradocountrylife.org | 303-902-7276 National Advertising Representative, American MainStreet Publications 611 S. Congress Street, Suite 504, Austin, TX 78704 | 800-626-1181 Advertising Standards: Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216-1731. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. ©Copyright 2021, Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights.
PINTEREST SNEAK PEEK
COCountryLife pinned: Celebrate the 2021 Olympics by cooking with Team USA. Try the Farmer’s Market Chopped Salad. A tasty and flavorful dish you will love.
POSTMASTER Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216
21 CREATIVE CORNER
22 DISCOVERIES
Enter Our Contests Want to learn more about the Olympics? It’s time to read up before the Games begin. Enter for your chance to win a copy of Total Olympics by Jeremy Fuchs. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop and click on the Contests tab to find out how to enter.
INSTAGRAM PIC of the month
READY FOR THE
OLYMPICS? AN ATHLETE’S PERSPECTIVE
FACEBOOK CHATTER Colorado Rural Electric Association posted: United Power, Inc., in Brighton announced the latest addition to its expanding EV charging network: a new station in Keenesburg just off of the I-76 corridor. This ChargePoint Fast EV Charging Station fills a gap in chargers along I-76.
JULY 2021
Cover JULY 2021
Best of 2021 nominations are now open. We picked the categories, now you tell us your favorites in Colorado. You could win one of three $100 gift cards. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop and TIME TO VOTE click on the Contests tab to find BEST OF out how to enter. COLORADO 2021 COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE
On the
cocountrylife posted: The sun sets on another amazing Colorado day. #colorado #colorfulcolorado
Vote for your 2021 favorites in the CCL Best of Colorado
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EDITORIAL Denver Corporate Office, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org | 303-455-4111 coloradocountrylife.coop | facebook.com/COCountryLife Pinterest.com/COCountryLife | Instagram.com/cocountrylife Twitter.com/COCountryLife | YouTube.com/COCountryLife1 Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual. SUBSCRIBERS Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Colorado Country Life. Cost of subscription for members of participating electric cooperatives is $4.44 per year (37 cents per month), paid from equity accruing to the member. For nonmembers, a subscription is $9 per year in-state/$15 out-of-state.
20 MARKETPLACE
COMMUNICATIONS STAFF Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Cassi Gloe, CCC, Production Manager/Designer cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org Kylee Coleman, Editorial/Admin. Assistant kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org
1994 Olympic silver medalist and Mountain Parks Electric board member Liz McIntyre won the silver medal in moguls at the Lillehammer Winter Games. Photo by Jennifer Bauckman.
coloradocountrylife.coop
VIEWPOINT
Fire Prevention Measure Loses Spark in Legislature BY JEFF WADSWORTH PRESIDENT & CEO
ABOUT YOUR CO-OP PVREA serves energy solutions to over 48,000 homes and businesses in Boulder, Larimer, and Weld Counties. We are a member-owned co-op, led by those we serve.
I consider myself very fortunate to live and work in Northern Colorado where we have access to an abundance of natural beauty and recreation. But with that beauty, comes the threat of wildfires and the devastation that follows. Unfortunately, our communities have first-hand experience of the impacts wildfires can have on our health and safety.
OUR MISSION We are committed to providing safe, reliable, efficient energy solutions with exceptional service to our members.
CONTACT US 1-800-432-1012 pvrea@pvrea.coop www.pvrea.coop
MAILING ADDRESS Poudre Valley REA 7649 REA Parkway Fort Collins, CO 80528
SOCIAL facebook.com/PoudreValleyREA twitter.com/PoudreValleyREA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Steven Anderson Larimer County
Director Thaine Michie Larimer County
Vice Chair Rick Johnson Larimer County
Director Jan Peterson Larimer County
Secretary Peter Hyland Weld County
Director Jack Schneider Weld County
Director Sheryl Dryer Henderson Larimer County
Director Ron Sutherland Boulder County
Last year, three of Colorado’s largest wildfires burned hundreds of thousands of acres, with the Cameron Peak Fire alone burning more than 200,000 acres. Our communities will undoubtedly feel the impacts for years, or even decades to come. One of the commonalities of these fires is they often occur in the service territory of one or more of Colorado’s electric cooperatives. Liability insurance is also either unavailable or prohibitively expensive thanks to the PG&E fires on the West Coast. These are the reasons Poudre Valley REA joined the Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA) and Colorado’s other electric cooperatives to work with the Colorado General Assembly to sponsor a bill in the legislature to address our concerns. Senate Bill 21-170 was the result of a yearlong collaboration dedicated to developing legislation that would encourage electric cooperatives to develop more comprehensive wildfire protection plans to help prevent wildfires. The bill included adding additional reasonable measures to prevent fires, filing plans with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, and implementation. In exchange, the bill would protect cooperatives by granting liability protection from lawsuits alleging the co-ops were at fault for starting a fire. Despite having bipartisan support in both the Colorado House of Representatives and Senate, the bill did not make it out
of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee; meaning the bill was never voted on and won’t become a law. But we’re not about to give up on this legislative issue. We wholeheartedly believe it is critically important to the communities we serve that all reasonable steps be taken to prevent wildfires. And we are committed to continuing to do our part. We plan to work alongside CREA and our fellow Colorado electric cooperatives to come back in 2022 with a bill everyone can support. We want to thank the three members of the Colorado General Assembly from Northern Colorado who were willing to stand up and be counted in support of Poudre Valley REA and our members. To our prime bill sponsors, Senator Joann Ginal (D), former Representative Jeni Arndt (D), and Representative Michael Lynch (R), we say thank you. In closing, I hope you all can spend time with friends and family this Fourth of July. May your celebrations be joyous and safe.
OUR VOICES ARE STRONGER TOGETHER. Join our Grassroots network to stay updated and make your voice heard. It’s easier than ever to get involved. Text GOCOOP to 25886 or sign up online at www.pvrea.coop/grassroots
Director Bryan Ehrlich Larimer County COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Focus on Climate Change
Three letters regarding renewables in the April issue indicate a lack of understanding of climate change, renewables and electricity systems, in my opinion. 1. How renewable energy can prevent wildfires, snowstorms, drought and windstorms: Climate change is causing and will cause more extreme weather and wildfires. Renewable energy is a key method of mitigating climate change. 2. Disposal of waste related to solar and wind energy: As with fossil fuel and nuclear energy, decommissioned generating assets should be disposed of properly. Problems associated with solar and wind waste are not on the same scale as coal and nuclear energy waste. 3. Intermittence of renewables: The solution is storage technology and increased interconnection of the grid. Battery storage has become dramatically cheaper in recent years. Increased interconnection of the electricity grid will enable utilities to draw renewable power from places where the sun is shining and the wind is blowing. 4. Natural gas: There is uncertainty surrounding leakage of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. We do have abundant fossil fuels, but we need to leave them in the ground to halt climate change. Frank Stern, Crested Butte Gunnison County Electric consumer-member I enjoyed “The Super Grid” in the April issue. I learned many things including that transmission access is a big concern as we move to more renewable energy sources and that many intelligent professionals are working on solutions. I like the idea of a more interconnected grid delivering lower costs, job creation, lower carbon emissions and better reliability. I appreciate that “thinking big” and thinking long term can overcome the initial monetary outlay and other obstacles. Victoria Jordan, Bellvue Poudre Valley REA consumer-member
An Ode to Cottonwoods
Wow, Dennis Smith. “Gone Yet Not Forgotten Cottonwoods”isamasterpiece(Outdoors, April’21). Your writing continues to be extraordinary. Dr. David Sigafoos, Westminster Sangre de Cristo consumer-member
SEND US YOUR LETTERS Editor Mona Neeley, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or mneeley@ coloradocountrylife.org. Include name and address. Letters may be edited for length.
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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
FROM THE EDITOR Surrounded by greatness BY MONA NEELEY
EDITOR
T
he Olympics are coming later this month. Are you excited? I am. I love the pageantry, the stories of athletes’ MONA NEELEY perseverance, the competition, all of it. That’s why I’ve already visited the new U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs. And what I remember most are the stories of greatness that are shared throughout the museum. They start in the massive open air lobby with the Olympic Hall of Fame display. Among the many listed is the late Rafer Johnson, a two-time Olympian in the decathlon. He was the first Black American to carry the U.S. flag in the opening ceremony in 1960 and he won gold that year with a tight finish in his last event. Then there is Erin Popovich, a three-time Paralympian who won 19 medals, 14 of them gold in swimming. Born with a genetic disorder, achondroplasia, she learned to swim and entered the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games at age 15. And, of course, there is the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team that brought home the gold after defeating the Russians in what was dubbed the “miracle on ice.” Since I was living in Minnesota in 1980, that team’s story never gets old. The list goes on. So many more inspirational stories … and more coming this month. Mona Neeley is the statewide editor of Colorado Country Life, which is published in coordination with your local electric cooperative. Its goal is to provide information from your local electric co-op to you, its consumer-members.
PVREA NEWS
Ensure your roof has a Class A fire rating
Use two or more panes of tempered glass on your windows
Rake leaves, needles, and debris from a 5 foot radius of your home’s foundation
Clear stressed, diseased, dead, or dying trees and shrubs
Keep firewood stacks 30 feet from your home
Protect Your Home from Wildfires We all know the dangers of wildfires to our communities here in Northern Colorado. Flying embers are the leading cause of home ignitions, so preparing for their impact is critical. Use these helpful tips to ensure you’re protecting your family, property, or investment from unnecessary risks and fire hazards.
THE HOME IGNITION ZONE
• Remove branches that hang over the roof and chimney
Your home itself and the area adjacent to it require vigilant, ongoing maintenance to be most effective. Here’s what you can do to increase the likelihood your home survives a wildfire:
• Clear stressed, diseased, dead, or dying trees and shrubs
• Ensure your roof has a Class A fire rating • Remove all leaves, needles, and debris from decks, roofs, and gutters • Screen attic, roof, eaves, and foundation vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh • Use two or more panes of tempered glass on your windows • Create 6 inches of vertical clearance between the ground and home siding
YOUR DEFENSIBLE SPACE The area around your home or property carries risks. Seek out these hazards and use the following information to keep flames away: • Mow grass and weeds to a height of 4 inches or less
• Remove enough trees to create at least 10 feet of space between crowns
FIREWOOD Those wood-burning fireplaces and stoves are great in the winter, but during summer fire season your stockpile could fuel a flame. Here’s how to keep firewood safe: • Stack woodpiles uphill from, or at the same elevation as, any structures • Keep stacks 30 feet from your home • Do not stack firewood between trees, nor under or on your deck • Remove flammable vegetation within 10 feet of woodpiles
FOR MORE USEFUL INFORMATION Like tips, checklists, and additional resources visit: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation/
• Rake leaves, needles, and debris from a 5 foot radius of your home’s foundation
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
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PVREA NEWS
Meet Paige Petrocco Poudre Valley REA member and Larimer County Fair & PRCA Rodeo Queen
Here at your local member-owned cooperative, we love telling stories about our members. They’re who we are here to serve and what make us special. One such story is about Paige Petrocco, current Larimer County Fair & Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo Queen.
Paige is a Colorado native, having moved from Thornton to Loveland about 10 years ago. “I’m very fond of Larimer County and Northern Colorado. I’ve gotten into horses and found my pace up here,” said Paige. After settling in, she soon went through a phase we’re all too familiar with. “Every little girl wants a pony, we all go through that,” she said. But soon realized there was much more to it. Paige first got into horses by setting up a pony camp so she could ride with friends from 7 in the morning to 7 at night. She then started participating in 4-H and signed herself up for anything to do with horses. “I think I might have closed my eyes the first time I showed a horse at fair,” she admitted. By age 14 she had found a horse in Berthoud. “She wasn’t trained. She just had a baby. She was super aggressive. She was meant to scare me off.” Yet there must have been something between these two. Paige went into the pasture, called her name and she came running. “We ended up buying her two months later (for $500). So, I broke that horse at 14.” And Layla is still the horse Paige queens on today. After some years of showing competitively, Paige found a new passion in rodeo. “I’ve never done anything besides barrels that I’ve been so passionate about. I’ve shown horses for a long time and barrels is still fun every single time.” Even though Paige is familiar with fairs and rodeos, she didn’t see herself as a soon-to-be queen. “I’m not very
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glamorous all the time, so that was very intimidating for me. But last year one of my best friends was the queen and she said, ‘just do it for fun and see what happens.’” So, she threw her hat in the ring. To be queen she first had to participate in a judged parade; then it was on to questions, speeches, modeling, horsemanship tests, and personal interviews; and finally a horsemanship competition. Paige likes to say that “it’s a beauty pageant but our talents are riding horses.” But it really isn’t just being pretty and riding a horse. Paige had her work cut out for her. The queen is the face and inspiration of the fair and rodeo. They are required to make public appearances, give speeches, communicate effectively with various groups of people, handle themselves with dignity, and act as a role model to continue a tradition that is part of the evolution of America’s cowgirl. One of the duties Paige has come to truly love is engaging in community events. “It means the world to be able to go out and do these events and get invited to these events that matter and are important to people,” Paige said. “And I’m there, and I feel so humble. Like why do you want me here? That’s been my absolute favorite part of queening.” After graduating from Front Range Community College this year, she plans to transfer to CSU to pursue a degree in communications. “Being queen has really helped me figure out what I want to do with my life. I want to go into promotions and communications, hopefully still in the rodeo world.”
PVREA NEWS
MEET PAIGE PETROCCO — continued from pg. 8 One particularly favorite event experience was the National Western Stock Show. Out of 150 queens, Paige was one of only five that were awarded the very prestigious honor to go with the Grand and Reserve Champion steer to The Brown Palace. “That doesn’t happen, it was five of us out of 150 to go and sip tea with the cows.” But there is one final duty of the queen that often gets overlooked – supporting a Larimer County Scholarship Program. And at your co-op, supporting education is near and dear to us. Paige helps conduct fund raisers to financially support the scholarship fund with the goal of making it self-sufficient. At the end of her term, Paige will be presented with her academic scholarship in honor of fulfilling her obligations
as queen. “I definitely could not have gone through my schooling the way I have without knowing I would get this support.” To help support Paige and future Larimer County Fair and PRCA Rodeo queens, please attend these upcoming events to help support them and their academic scholarship fund. • July 31: 2022 Larimer County Fair & Rodeo Queen Pageant & Horsemanship Competition • August 5: Queen’s BBQ Fundraiser: 6:30 PM at The Ranch • August 6–10: Larimer County Fair at The Ranch • August 8–10: 3 nights of the PRCA Rodeo Join us at the Fair and visit our booth to see how we are committed to delivering more to members like you!
Where to Find Us This Summer We’re excited to announce our return to events and sponsorships! These community engagement opportunities are a bedrock of our cooperative — both in supporting the communities we serve as well as meeting our members. We hope to see you at the following events this year: June 3–August 19 Windsor Summer Concert Series every Thursday @ 6:30–8:30 PM at the Boardwalk Park in Windsor July 17 Mountain State Children’s Home Sporting Clay Tournament July 24–August 2 Weld County Fair at the Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley August 6–10 Larimer County Fair at The Ranch in Loveland
August 6 Disabled Resource Services Wine Fest Fundraiser at the Hilton in Fort Collins August 7 Well-O-Rama at the Centennial Park in Wellington August 6–7 Relay For Life of Northern Colorado at the University High School in Greeley
August 6–7 Severance Days at the Severance Community Park October 2 Poudre Valley REA Fall Festival
Keep an eye out for news and updates on events by following our social media channels or view our online calendar at www.pvrea.coop/events
Smart Thermostats GET A SMART THERMOSTAT & GET REWARDED — BE EFFICIENT, SAVE MONEY A smart thermostat provides an easy and efficient way to control your home’s cooling this summer. Conveniently control your smart thermostat anywhere, at any time to adjust your home’s comfort.
By reducing electricity demand during the hottest summer days, smart thermostats can serve our communities by helping ensure reliability and lower costs. Plus, you’ll get rewarded for joining! Earn a onetime enrollment credit and your energy efficiency may result in lower monthly electric bills. Buy one today through us and get a co-op member discount!
Details for our POWER PEAK REWARDS program at www.pvrea.coop/power-rewards
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
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PVREA NEWS
How Much Can Mulch Help Wildfire Mitigation & Restoration? Whether you’re cleaning up properties because of last year’s fire season or making preparations for this year, what should you do with all the downed limbs, trees, and other debris?
Mulching this slash can be a good option as it helps prevent future fires and assists the forest to naturally recover. Mulching debris removes potential hazards and fuel sources that can pile up. It can also help protect native plant seeds, curtail exotic plant invasion, limit soil degradation and erosion, and lessens some water quality concerns.
• Cover ground where the downed trees were — the area under trees is usually so bare, that any amount of groundcover will slow down erosion
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO ENSURE YOUR MULCH DOES THE MOST
• If possible, aim mulch on steep, but not too steep of, slopes — it will wash off on slopes greater than a 50% incline/decline
• Spread mulch over a large area of ground to avoid heavy accumulations and large piles — being close to the ground will help speed decomposition
• Do not exceed 2-3 inches of mulch depth – anything deeper will prevent native seeds from germinating, which can slow natural restoration, and anything higher can pose a fire hazard
• But you don’t always have to mulch. Larger downed trees can be limbed, so they lay flat on the ground and perpendicular to the slope — ensuring they fully contact the ground helps slow erosion
PVREA office closed / Monday, July 5 / Independence Day Wishing you a safe and happy Fourth of July!
JULY 2021
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
TIP OF THE MONTH
DURING SUMMER MONTHS, RUN LARGE APPLIANCES THAT EMIT HEAT (SUCH AS CLOTHES DRYERS AND DISHWASHERS) DURING THE EVENING WHEN IT’S COOLER. This will minimize indoor heat during the day when outdoor temperatures are highest. Source: energy.gov
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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
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Call for your FREE Window & Door Diagnosis TopWindowsColorado.com Offer not available in all areas. Discount applied by retailer representative at time of contract execution and applies to purchase of 3 or more windows and/or entry or patio doors. 3% cash discount for payment in full by cash or check applied at time of sale. Cannot be combined with other offers. Initial contact for a free Window and Door Diagnosis must be made and documented on or before 7/31/21, with the appointment then occurring no more than 10 days after the initial contact. No payments and deferred interest for 12 months available to well qualified buyers on approved credit only. Not all customers may qualify. No Finance Charges will be assessed if promo balance is paid in full in 12 months. Renewal by Andersen retailers are independently owned and operated retailers, and are neither brokers nor lenders. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only, and all financing is provided by third-party lenders unaffiliated with Renewal by Andersen retailers, under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender. Window Warmth, LLC d/b/a Renewal by Andersen of Colorado. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. ©2021 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. ©2021 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. All sales, marketing and installation of windows is conducted by Renewal by Andersen of Colorado, an independently owned and operated affiliate operating in CO and NM.
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RECIPES
CHOW FOR CHAMPS Fix fantastic fare and become top chef in your kitchen BY AMY HIGGINS
WIN A COPY
| RECIPES@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
Time to start cooking with Team USA
A
fter a year of postponement, we can finally taste the excitement of the Tokyo Summer Olympics. The level of talent these athletes demonstrate never ceases to amaze and you can’t help but wonder how they fuel their fire. Each sport requires specialized training and, to maintain momentum, a particular diet. Team USA gets culinary with Olympians and Paralympians with its “Cooking with Team USA” program and shares recipes for everyone to consume, and we gave it a shot. So, pull out your kitchen equipment and exercise your cooking talents with this fortifying dish.
Brick Chicken with Red Chimichurri Sauce
into both the skin and the meat. Cover with plastic and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or as long as overnight.
Chicken:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat canola oil in a large cast iron or heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, skin side down. Place another skillet on top of the chicken and place a brick or teakettle filled with water on top to weigh down the chicken. Cook for 5 minutes until skin is browned. Flip the chicken, weigh it down again with the other skillet and place in oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in thigh registers 165 degrees. Remove to platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with chimichurri sauce.
2 tablespoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/8 teaspoon powder cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar 1/2 split chicken 3 tablespoons canola oil Chimichurri Sauce: 1 roasted red bell pepper 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 shallot, chopped 1 cup fresh parsley Juice of 1 lemon 6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
SCRAPING THE SURFACE When food sticks to the bottom of your cast iron skillet, don’t use soap or harsh abrasive sponges to clean it. Instead, fill the skillet with water and place in on your stovetop to boil for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and take off the unwanted food by gently using a pan scraper. Finish up by rubbing the skillet with cooking oil.
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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
Enter our July contest for your chance to win a copy of Total Olympics. Visit coloradocountrylife. coop and click on the Contests tab to find out how to enter.
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
For Chimichurri Sauce: Combine all chimichurri ingredients in a blender. Pulse until blended. (The mixture should be pureed but slightly chunky rather than entirely smooth.) Taste and add salt and pepper as desired. Serve with chicken. teamusa.org/Cooking-With-Team-USA/Brian-Boitano/ Brick-Chicken-with-Red-Chimichurri-Sauce Recipe from the Cooking with Team USA series, used with permission from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
1/3 cup olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste
For Chicken: Combine all the spices and sugar in a small bowl and stir together with a fork until completely blended. Place the chicken on a plate and generously season both sides with the spice mixture. Rub the mixture
Summertime Salmon Pasta A must-try recipe, it is a great, healthy meal option for those hot summer days. Get this recipe and others at coloradocountrylife.coop.
NEWS CLIPS
OVER ‹‹‹‹ MOVE FOR CO-OP CREWS
Every year, workers along the sides of roads and highways are injured or killed when a car or truck crashes into the crew’s site, even when that site is marked with bright orange cones and the trucks’ lights are flashing. Drivers can change those statistics.
Slow down and move over — it’s the law in Colorado.
Co-ops Contribute to Defense of Country’s Energy Supply The electric cooperatives’ Essence 2.0 cybersecurity tool was chosen as part of President Joe Biden’s “100 Days” Initiative. The U.S. Department of Energy is focusing on cybersecurity tools as cyberattacks on the utility infrastructure in the United States increase. After evaluating 18 different cybersecurity tools currently available in the market, the DOE chose Essence as one of two options to be offered to utilities in a new program working to improve security for the country’s electric industry in 100 days. Essence 2.0 was developed by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the trade association for the country’s 900 electric co-ops, to accelerate the detection of malicious cyberthreats on utility systems from months to seconds. This analytic tool instantly provides key indicators to utility experts so they can defend their systems against emerging threats and thus thwart the attacks.
Colorado’s statutes require a driver coming up on public utility vehicles parked by the side of the road to reduce and maintain a safe speed. A safe speed is defined as 25 miles per hour in an area with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less and at least 20 mph less than the posted speed in areas where the speed limit is over 45 mph. These same rules apply for other emergency vehicles, tow trucks and police and highway patrol vehicles. Other states have similar laws, as protecting electric co-op crews and other emergency and highway personnel is always a priority. So, as you travel this summer, when you see the orange cones and flashing lights, slow down and move over when you can. That will help lower the statistics and make it a better summer for everyone.
Member Participation Makes Co-ops Work If you buy electricity from a local electric cooperative, you are not just a consumer, but a member of that co-op. Membership is one of the seven core co-op principles of a cooperative with the third principle being “members’ economic participation.” What this means is that co-op consumers contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-op. Some of the capital is the common property of the co-op’s physical plant, and surpluses can be used to improve that plant (infrastructure). Surpluses, when it is economically feasible, may also be returned to consumer-members in proportion to their transactions with the co-op.
Find all seven principles at crea.coop/our-mission/ 7-co-op-principles.
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
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LIZ MCINTYRE THREE-TIME U.S. OLYMPIAN
AN INSIDER’S VIEW OF THE OLYMPICS RELIVING THE EXCITEMENT BY EUGENE BUCHANAN
G
ranby, Colorado’s Liz McIntyre, 55, is a board member for Mountain Parks Electric, one of CREA’s member co-ops. But she’s better known for her mogul skiing than her role at Mountain Parks. A former coach for the U.S. Ski Team and inductee into the 2008 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, McIntyre is a three-time Olympian who won the silver medal in moguls at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games. Electrifying spectators on the slopes — just like she does homes through Mountain Parks — she gave us an insider’s view of the upcoming Tokyo Games. Here, she sheds her own light on what it means to be an Olympian, from attending the opening ceremonies and socializing in the athlete
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cafeteria to the accommodations and being an athlete in the starting gate on the world’s biggest stage.
ON THE PANDEMIC POSTPONEMENT That’s a huge one. You’re so focused on trying to peak at the right time and so excited you made the team and are headed to the Olympics. Then all of a sudden, screech! Stop! Time out for a pandemic! Training routines and practices are shut down; water douses that whole campfire of excitement. And a lot of athletes likely just recovered from qualifying and then had to put it on pause. That, and the uncertainty of if the Olympics will even happen, would be difficult to manage. Then add the complications of team sports still trying to practice and
even something as simple as going to the gym. Your whole training regimen is upended. For some athletes, COVID-19 forced changes to their housing, jobs and school, which complicated things even further. The potential to get the virus and the effect it could have on your health and athletic career is also a concern. The impact the pandemic has had on friends and family adds another layer of complexity. I can’t imagine what the Tokyobound athletes have gone through. Still, as trite as it sounds, adaptability, perseverance and focus are the hallmarks of all great athletes. There will be some spectacular performances in Tokyo.
ON THE COMMITMENT IT TAKES Most people know it’s super hard to train for the Olympics and what kind of dedication it takes. But you also end up not attending things like family reunions, graduations, weddings and other events — things people on a less stringent training schedule would never skip. You’re away from home all the time. The more years you do it, the more of these life events you miss. And throughout it all, your family, friends and mentors are encouraging you and supporting you in multiple ways. It’s bigger than your dream. And then, in a year like this, you see the whole thing get canceled and think, “Oh, I have to wait another four years?” So it’s a huge commitment socially as well to be an Olympian.
COVER STORY ON ANTICIPATION For a first-time Olympian, the months leading up to the Games can’t go by fast enough. The excitement is palpable. You’ve worked so hard and sacrificed all sorts of normal activities to pursue a dream. And now it is finally happening. For a veteran, the hard years of the four-year cycle are nearly over, and now it’s time to put it all on the line again. This is what you do, what you live for. But for both, you trained four years for this and you’re ready, so bring it. Above all, you’re looking forward to the Olympic competition day — as much or more than the whole Olympic experience.
ON THE OPENING CEREMONIES They really cement the Olympic moment. Everyone is so excited, jumping up and down and giving each other high fives. You’re all sitting in the same bleachers and you realize that this is it, this is the Olympics. It’s a pretty momentous occasion. Here’s what it was like at my first Olympics in France. That day we put on our opening ceremonies uniform as instructed, boarded a bus and drove the impossibly curvy road down the mountain to Albertville, where we exited into the warm valley air hinting of spring. We joined a growing mass of athletes staging for the ceremonies. Countries were delineated by their waving flags and colorful uniforms. It seemed like we waited forever to march into that stadium, but once we started there was no going back. The drab
scaffolding gave way to cheering rows of spectators stretching up to the sky, music playing and rows of dignitaries. The U.S. team waved wildly at Vice President Dan Quayle. We wound around the stadium, following our flag bearer. My parents were up there somewhere. It was pre social media, so we shared the experience with each other, drinking in the euphoria, excitement and anticipation. We jumped up and down, smiled, yelled, waved our hands in the air and danced. Then we settled into our seats. As the day faded into soft magic light, we watched a spectacular array of French artists and acrobats dance and fly around the stadium. After a few long speeches, they lit the torch just as night fell. Then we boarded the bus and slept our way back up the hill. When we arrived in Tignes, the torch was burning brightly on the side of the mountain. Let the games begin!
ON THE GAMES’ SOCIAL SIDE You’re taking in everything, but you’re pretty focused on the competition. It’s cool to see all the other athletes from the other disciplines, but you’re aware this isn’t social time; it’s the Olympics. But you do have a chance to go watch other events and cheer for Team USA. I liked going to women’s hockey games, figure skating, speed skating, ski jumping, bobsled and luge. Some athletes thrive in a more social setting like that, and others don’t. Norway, August 21, 2014 - The ski jump slope Lysgårdsbakken opened in 1993 specifically for the XVII Olympic Winter Games in 1994.
ON DINING Every venue is different. In France we were sort of off by ourselves, but Lillehammer had a big dining hall, which was a hub of activity. It was buffet-style with a bunch of different stations, so the food was really good with a lot of choices. Athletes cycled through constantly and there was an undercurrent of excitement and a feeling of commonality and respect. Usually, you sit with your teammates or other athletes you know from other events. I knew lugers from Dartmouth, as well as some of the Nordic and biathlon competitors. But you let Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blair have their space; I wasn’t the type to sit down right next to them. But I did say hi to Herschel Walker, who was pushing the bobsled. One afternoon the dining hall erupted in applause when a luge athlete arrived from Sarajevo, which hosted the Olympics 12 years before but had since descended into bloody sectarian violence. Somehow he made his way out of a civil war to compete in Lillehammer. But your focus and mood depended on if you or the people you were with had competed yet or not.
ON THE ACCOMMODATIONS In France, our accommodations were typical of what you’d get on a ski holiday; we weren’t at the village. But in Lillehammer we stayed in athlete housing in the main Olympic Village. And a village it was, with hundreds of two-story houses, painted in Norwegian shades of yellow or red, organized along narrow snowy paths leading to the main athlete center. The U.S. biathlon team shared the upstairs of the house where I stayed and a men’s hockey team was downstairs. They had practice at odd hours and a coach who yelled. We could hear everything. I shared a room with Nikki Stone, an aerialist. There were all sorts of last-minute changes and we only found out who our roommates were a week earlier. The rooms were pretty small, but adequate. We created a little privacy by moving our wardrobes COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
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COVER STORY
Liz McIntyre competes at the XVII Olympic Winter Games in 1994.
together in the middle. Eight of us shared the same bathroom, which worked ok, but involved some juggling on competition mornings. In Nagano, the ski team rented a house closer to the venue and we slept on Japanese tatami mats. It will be interesting to see how organizers, teams and athletes address housing in the time of COVID-19.
I cherish as much as going across the finish line. Just knowing that I was ready. All that you’ve done to get here and then, bam! You’re about to go. There’s a pause before it all begins, which can seem like it lasts a long time even though it’s just a second long. It’s the same for everyone, whether you’re standing atop the swimming block or waiting for the starting gun in track.
ON THE MORNING OF
ON ONCE IT’S ALL OVER
I’d been working with a sports psychologist for three years, so I had a good plan mapped out. My morning routine was to wake up, take a shower, eat breakfast (potatoes, and I always like grapefruit) and then hit the training course early. I was more nervous the day of my qualifying event than on the finals; if you don’t qualify, you don’t go to the dance. Everyone has their own timing and routine for preparing for their event. Some athletes have elaborate rituals; me, not so much. I always tried to get the feel of some good turns as I came into the starting gate and I found a quiet place I could get myself ready to go. I listened to music that would put me in the right state of mind. For Lillehammer it was Blue Rodeo, the Gin Blossoms and Melissa Etheridge. Back then it came from a huge Walkman; I remember a colossal argument one time on the bus about what music should be playing to appease 20 athletes. But sometimes the team had an anthem; in Albertville it was George Michael. Nowadays, everyone has their own device and playlist. Many even listen to it during their training.
It depends on how you did. I was a little disappointed after my first Olympics, but I knew what I had to do and get better at. In Lillehammer, I put those skills to work and skied a great run. When you have your best performance during an Olympics it’s an exhilarating feeling. But you don’t have much time to reflect; you’re whisked off for drug testing, media events and the medal ceremony. So, I was pumped, but exhausted; it had been a long day. It didn’t really sink in until I got home to Colorado. And it was different because I knew I was still competing. Nagano was my last time as a competitor, so it was more nostalgic. I didn’t adapt to the changing course conditions between training and the finals. That’s when you wish you had a chance to do it all over again; you want to rewind the tape and start all over. Everything you had worked so hard for is all over in 30 seconds. It can be a bit crushing after all the work you put in, but you learn about the journey, getting ready and disappointment and moving on. You win some and you lose some.
ON GETTING READY TO DO YOUR BEST The moment that stands out most for me is the one right before my run. At the starting gate in Lillehammer, I stared out at a lake in the distance. I could see fog coming off of it. A crowd lined each side of the course, and a huge stadium was at the bottom. There was a ton of noise but I was just so at peace and ready. It was a great feeling and a moment
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ON THE TOKYO GAMES AND STAYING SAFE Tokyo 2020 will be a different Olympics. It will see athletes arriving from a world weary of the pandemic, and athletes who have been affected disproportionately and have had to question what is really important to them. Will the excitement, nervousness and anticipation be more muted or will a return to sport bring a joy not felt for the longest year ever? And staying safe will be important. That whole aspect is unknown. How do you keep your team safe in a little bubble in a place like the Olympics? Even at past Olympics, by the second week people start catching colds that have come from around the world. Who knows what it will be like this year? Maybe because people are so careful no one will get anything. Still, you’re in pretty tight quarters. It’s going to be a much different Olympics. Eugene Buchanan, a freelance writer who makes his home in Yampa Valley Electric’s territory, has written about outdoor sports for more than 25 years.
LEARN MORE ONLINE
WANT TO GET A TASTE OF THE GAMES AHEAD OF TOKYO? The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is a one-of-a-kind tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop to read about our visit to this new Colorado Springs attraction.
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ENERGY CONNECTIONS
In Support of Clean Energy Electric co-ops seek same incentives as for-profit utilities
BY ERIN KELLY
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lectric cooperatives are not-for-profit entities and therefore do not pay federal income taxes. Usually that is a good thing. It means co-op electric rates are set to only cover co-op costs. There is no incentive to charge more than is needed; any profit (known as a margin in the co-op business model) is returned to consumers as credits. But when it comes to government incentives to transition to newer, cleaner fuel sources, not paying taxes is a problem. Other utilities have long received federal tax breaks for providing power from solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. Co-ops cannot tap into those programs because they are exempt from those taxes. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is working to change that. It is urging congressional leaders to provide electric co-ops with direct payments to develop clean energy projects. These would provide incentives comparable to the tax breaks granted to investor-owned utilities such as Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy. In a letter to top congressional leaders, NRECA, the American Public Power Association and the Large Public Power Council asked for direct payments to member-owned and community-owned utilities to help employ technologies such as
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battery storage, carbon capture and electric vehicle charging networks. “Allowing public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives to receive these tax credits in the form of direct payments for building clean energy infrastructure would ensure that all utilities serving all Americans would have equal access to these federal resources,” said the May 14 letter, which was signed by NRECA CEO Jim Matheson, APPA President/CEO Joy Ditto and LPPC President John Di Stasio. “The direct payments would be used to help offset project costs — increasing the incentive for further investments — and would enable public power utilities and electric cooperatives to own these facilities directly. It would also mean more local projects, with local jobs, under local control,” the letter stated. The issue is one of NRECA’s top legislative priorities for this session of Congress. The letter points out that co-ops and community-owned electric utilities together serve nearly 30% of all retail electric customers. “The president and Congress have ambitious climate goals that cannot be met by leaving nearly 30% of the nation’s electric utility customers without access
“The direct payments would be used to help offset project costs — increasing the incentive for further investments — and would enable public power utilities and electric cooperatives to own these facilities directly. It would also mean more local projects, with local jobs, under local control.” NRECA CEO Jim Matheson, APPA President/CEO Joy Ditto and LPPC President John Di Stasio to incentives and support,” the three association leaders wrote. President Joe Biden has set a goal of eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector by 2030 to help slow climate change. Matheson and the other association leaders called that “a daunting challenge” with a hefty price tag that will be borne in part by co-op consumer-members and public power customers. “As such, we cannot afford inefficient or ineffective policies,” they wrote. Erin Kelly is a staff writer at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
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GARDENING
Set Your Scene for Safety Create an alluring, fire-resistant landscape BY VICKI SPENCER
MASTER GARDENER | GARDENING@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE .ORG
L
ast year Colorado had an historic wildfire season with fires burning into October and beyond — a time when our thoughts typically turn to snow. Not only has the fire season lengthened, but the average burned area has also tripled over the past few decades. Unfortunately, the threat of wildfires will continue to grow as more people are drawn to previously uninhabited areas. To protect your family and community, it’s important to know how to create defensible space. This involves planning and designing areas around your home to serve as barriers that prevent fires from spreading and to allow access for firefighters. Defensible space doesn’t mean your yard must be completely devoid of vegetation. It simply means being strategic about your landscape. One goal in creating defensible space is to add “hardscapes,” which break up the continuity of growth around your yard and establish buffers between buildings and vegetation. You can add hardscape by placing stone pathways close to your house and weaving them throughout your lawn and gardens. Meandering pathways don’t just create distance between flammable areas, they add interesting aesthetics.
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Another goal involves placement and selection of vegetation that avoid fueling fires. Examine areas bordering your buildings. Are flammable materials and vegetation at least 3 to 5 feet away? If your border garden is mulched with wood chips, replace this mulch with flame-resistant landscape materials, such as gravel and stone. If bushes are right next to the house, move them a foot or two farther away. Better yet, reduce fuel by replacing bushes altogether with less flammable ground cover. Many ground covers do well in Colorado. Sedum is an excellent border plant with its variety of colors and blooming seasons. Ice plant (Delosperma) is also a hardy perennial with daisy-like flowers that add splashes of color to drier garden areas. You can prevent flame transfer by keeping plant clusters and trees horizontally and vertically spaced from one another. Plant trees a safe distance from buildings and keep branches trimmed a minimum of 3 feet away. Thinking vertically, don’t forget to trim bottom branches 6 to 10 feet above the ground. If you are on a slope, these distances may need to be increased since fire travels faster up slopes.
When selecting trees, choose ones with smooth bark and low resin and sap content that shed minimal amounts of leaves and waste. Avoid pines, which create highly flammable dry litter when needles drop and collect below. When selecting fire-resistant plants, many recommend native species. This is because natives have adapted to survive the extreme heat of Colorado’s wildfires. For example, buffalo grass is among the first plants to regenerate after a fire and its early emergence helps reduce erosion. If you have a lawn, keep it mowed and irrigated, paying heed to the wise use of water. These measures can lessen the threat of fire damage to your property. For more information about defensible space, visit nfpa.org and click on Firewise USA®. Gardener Vicki Spencer has an eclectic background in conservation, water, natural resources and more.
LEARN MORE ONLINE Read previous gardening columns at coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Gardening under Living in Colorado.
The Birds and the Trees
Get the Muck
OUTDOORS
New books guide readers in North America’s outdoors BY DENNIS SMITH
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n April 6 of this year, Penguin Random House released the highly anticipated new National Audubon Society Birds of North America and National Audubon Society Trees of North America (published by Alfred A. Knopf). I was lucky enough to get early copies of both books from the kind folks in their promotional department in March and I was definitely impressed. No doubt, most backyard nature lovers and professional naturalists alike are familiar with Audubon’s iconic line of field guides. After all, their famous “turtleback” series with its leather-like textured covers and conveniently packable size has been around since the 1970s and sold more than 18 million copies in 29 different titles covering everything from birds, mammals, trees and wildflowers to mushrooms, rocks, fish, insects and, well, just about anything that occurs in the natural world. Both the new bird and tree guidebooks, though, reflect an almost radical departure from Audubon’s classic field guide format with a whole new look, size and design. And the new format is more than merely cosmetic: Where the prior guides had their photographic identification plates arranged in a separate section from the corresponding descriptive text, the newer guides incorporated photo presentation, taxonomic data, habitat info and scientific field notes, as well as the current science and, perhaps most importantly, the conservation status of birds in a single, user-friendly location. Birds covers more than 800 species with over 3,500 razor-sharp, full-color photos of birds in their natural habitat — often with multiple images of each bird. According to the press release, it also includes essays by leading scholars in each field on holistic insights into the world of birds, range maps reflecting the impact of climate change, detailed physical descriptions and information on voice, nesting habits and similar species. The new Birds of North America is bigger and nearly three times as heavy as its predecessor. It no longer qualifies as a field guide in the strictest sense of the word, but it is an outstanding scientific reference tool in its own right. The change is carried over into Trees of North America as well: 540 species, 2,500 full color plates with images of bark, fruit, flowers, leaves, seasonal color changes and tons of new info on conservation status. As with Birds of North America, Trees also includes an expanded glossary, index, ribbon marker and new essays by leading scholars. Where the older series of guidebooks were printed on lightweight, tissue-thin, parchment-like paper, the new editions are printed on glossy, heavy-weight stock. To say they are cosmetically beautiful would be an understatement, but the real beauty lies in the improved ease of use and new informative essays by leading scientists, scholars and taxonomic and field experts. New Audubon guidebooks in this series on wildflowers and mushrooms will be forthcoming in 2023. I can’t wait. Dennis Smith is a freelance outdoors writer and photographer whose work appears nationally. He lives in Loveland.
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CREATIVE CORNER
READER POETRY This Kitchen Table
This wooden slab where, o’er the years, we spilt our milk, secrets and tears; we planned the future, spoke of yore, decided who would keep the score, of contests waged into the night, and mem’ries made til morning light; we’ve shared our fare with honored guests, from near and far whose presence blessed our fellowship, these moments dear; and now homework is finished here, and tales of school and work and play, and how we spent our time today; it’s all right here, the truth and fable, etched into this kitchen table.
FUNNY STORIES Soft Persuasion Birdsong at dawn. Birdsong at dusk. I watch the horizon dissolve to rust. I lower my blinds, relax in my chair, listen to melodies ignite in the air. David Feela, Cortez Empire Electric Association consumer-member
Daniel Dean Swanson, Calhan Mountain View Electric Association consumer-member
DO YOU WRITE POETRY? Send us your best work; we’d love to read it. Submit your best works via email to: info@coloradocountrylife.org or mail to: Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216
READERS’ PHOTOS
My balding husband was talking
to our 5-year-old granddaughter one day. He told her he was going to get a haircut, to which she responded, “Which one?” Linda Allen, Kiowa Mountain View Electric Association consumer-member
When my daughter was 5 years old,
we were in a church service and the preacher said, “The devil will steal your joy.” My daughter replied, “So that’s what’s happening to my toys!” Anonymous
Mountain View Electric consumer-member Rick Barto takes his copy of Colorado Country Life to Alaska for his nephew’s graduation.
Elizbeth Yoder’s daughters take CCL to the Badlands in South Dakota. The Yoders are consumer-members of Poudre Valley REA.
Michelle and Jon Shaffer enjoy their copy of CCL after hiking up to Delicate Arch at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. The Shaffers are consumermembers of San Isabel Electric.
WINNER: Poudre Valley REA consumer-members Kevin and Vickie Newlin visit Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in April 2021.
Take Your Photo with Your Magazine and Win!
It’s easy to win with Colorado Country Life. Simply take a photo of someone (or a selfie!) with the magazine and email the photo and your name, address and your local co-op to info@coloradocountrylife.org. We’ll draw one photo to win $25 each month. The next deadline is Friday, July 16. Name, address and co-op must accompany photo. See all of the submitted photos on Facebook at facebook.com/COCountryLife.
My granddaughter in day care laid
on a blanket for nap time. The 4-year-old boy on the blanket next to her asked, “Will you marry me?” She shushed him and closed her eyes. He leaned over, kissed her on the cheek and asked, “Will you marry me after nap time?” She responded, “No! I don’t know how to play that game!” Cindy Irvin, Cortez Empire Electric Association consumer-member
We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. At the end of the year we will draw one name from those submitting funny stories and that person will receive $200. Send your 2021 stories to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email funnystories@coloradocountrylife.org. Don’t forget to include your mailing address, so we can send you a check. COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
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DISCOVERIES
An Outdoors State of Mind Establish an agenda for adventure Above: Reader photo by Deb Adams, a Sangre de Cristo Electric Association consumer-member.
Perform at Your Peak
Wise Eyes
More than a decade ago, the people at Pagosa Springs-based VOORMI had a vision to create clothing that could withstand the elements experienced by its customers when enjoying the outdoors. VOORMI officially launched in 2013 and today methodically creates its own fabrics, weaving in functional elements to pinpoint the needs of its customers’ activities, from running to camping to fishing and more. For more information, visit voormi.com.
Prescription eyeglass wearers can transform their everyday spectacles into sunglasses with Steamboat Springs-based EyKuver UV films. The tinted “stickers” are easy to apply, won’t damage your glasses and help protect your peepers from the sun’s harmful rays. And with a price of $9.99 per three pack, you’ll spend far less than you would to purchase a separate pair of prescription sunglasses. For more information, visit eykuver.com.
Drop a Line in Durango Whether you’re a fledgling fly fisherman or a longtime lover of the sport, Duranglers can take you through the wonderful waters of the Durango area to locate the perfect place to cast your line. Guests can wade or float with expert guides through the magnificent landscape practically any time of year. With nearly 40 years in the business, be assured it will be an angler outing you won’t forget. For more information, visit duranglers.com.
Pretty Pickleball Bags Greeley-based Sassy Caddy adds pizazz to its pickleball bags to better suit its customers’ personalities. Doubling as a tennis bag, Sassy Caddy uses fresh, vibrant fabrics to manufacture its pickleball bags, which are not only attractive but functional with adjustable straps, storage pockets and waterproof material. Cost is $54. Using the same design concepts, Sassy Caddy also makes golf bags, backpacks, messenger bags and more. For more information, visit sassycaddy.com.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR AMAZING COLORADO-MADE PRODUCTS Do you know of a great Colorado-made product that others will love too? Share it with us so we can share it with others on our Discoveries page.
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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE JULY 2021
Send your product ideas to: Editor Mona Neeley, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org. Include your name, address, electric co-op you are a member of and brief description of why you love the product.
+ BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION
UPGRADE TO ELECTRICITY AND SAVE Make the switch to cleaner electricity with more efficient household appliances and systems. From heat pumps to electric vehicles, these proven technologies can run your home cleanly, efficiently and cost-effectively. To learn more about rebates and incentives for electrification programs, contact your local co-op or public power district.
VISIT US AT www.tristate.coop/BE
Tri-State is a not-for-profit power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
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