December 2015
VANILLA IT’S COMPLICATED
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[contents]
December 2015
[cover]
Cover design by Donna Wallin, associate editor. Photograph by Brent Ward at www.brentwardphoto.com. Stained Glass Sugar Cookie recipe on page 20.
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4 Viewpoint
20 Recipes
5 Letters
22 Gardening
Rural Colorado still exists and is served by electric co-ops
Rodelle shares some of its most prized baking delights
6 Calendar
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24 Outdoors
Co-op News
12 NewsClips 14 Staving Off the Common Cold
Radiant floor heat may be the cure for cold floors, cold feet, cold homes
16 Vanilla — It’s Complicated
Christmas cookies wouldn’t be the same without the Colorado company
$200
paid to Leonardo Hoffschneider simply for entering our monthly Funny Stories contest
®
Crafts to light outdoor spaces and gardening that’s for the birds This hunter enjoys the beauty of a day with a dog
25 Energy Tips 29 Funny Stories 30 Discoveries
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Extra content:
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This month’s online extras ➤ F IND more fun holiday events for the entire family ➤H EAR presentations from CREA’s Energy Innovations Summit ➤ LEARN how to strip vanilla from a vanilla bean ➤W ATCH instructions for making your own garden lanterns ➤D ISCOVER how solar lights make a difference in Haiti
1115
estimated year that the Totonac Indians are believed to have cultivated the vanilla orchid Source: Rodelle
88%
of people decorate a Christmas tree during the holidays in the United States. Source: Hallmark
The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association || Volume 46, Number 12 COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor@303-455-4111; mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Donna Wallin, Associate Editor; dwallin@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING: Kris Wendtland@303-902-7276, advertising@coloradocountrylife.org; NCM@800-626-1181 SUBSCRIPTIONS: info@coloradocountrylife.org
EDITORIAL: Denver Corporate Office, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216; Phone: 303-455-4111 • Email: mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org • Website: coloradocountrylife.coop • Facebook: facebook.com/COCountryLife • Twitter: @COCountryLife Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly for $9/$15 per year by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. 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.
[viewpoint]
Outside the City Limits
Rural Colorado still exists and electric co-ops serve those who live there BY KENT SINGER || CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR || KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG
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Does rural Colorado matter? A recent story in The Denver Post program should bring to our rural comtitled “Colorado Rurality an Urban Legend” points out that nine munities. But we also are reminded that out of 10 people in Colorado live in urban areas. So, while many there is another challenge for these new people envision Coloradans living in wide open spaces or moun- businesses in terms of doing business in tain majesty, that is more myth than reality. rural Colorado: the cost of electricity. Turns out, 80 percent of all jobs in Colorado are located in a Rural electricity rates are typically higher corridor of nine counties from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, than those in urban areas simply because according to a study by Headwaters Economics cited by the there are fewer customers to share the article. When an additional six counties that include smaller costs of co-op facilities. Serving in these Kent Singer cities, such as Grand Junction and Durango, are included, that low-population areas, electric co-ops number moves up to an astonishing 89 percent. In other words, have an average of only seven customers per mile of line comnearly 90 percent of all the jobs in Colorado are located in just 15 pared to the 34 customers per mile of line for investor-owned of Colorado’s 64 counties. utilities and 48 customers per mile of line While this economic boom is great for for municipal utilities. Denver and other cities along the Front As some of Colorado’s rural counties Range, many Colorado counties have experienced population declines and job been left out, with only 11 percent of the losses, it has become even more difficult state’s jobs spread among the 49 remaining for the local electric co-op to provide counties. An official with the Colorado affordable electricity. And, as nonprofit Office of Economic Development and entities, co-ops must recover all of their International Trade recently observed that expenses from their member-owners. while the Denver metro area has largely If there are fewer members to share the recovered from the 2008 recession, “the costs, rates will increase. That often rural and more outlying areas of Colorado results in an increasing number of co-op haven’t seen the same level of recovery.” member-owners having a hard time payWhat’s the relevance of all this to ing their monthly electricity bills. the Colorado electric co-op program? Another challenge for co-ops is the Colorado’s electric co-ops serve Colorado’s electric co-ops mostly serve in increasing number of customer-owned the 49 counties left out of the those 49 counties left out of the recent job power generation units, such as on-site state’s recent job growth. growth. While some suburban neighborsolar panels. This, too, means declining Most co-op service territories hoods along the Front Range are served revenues from the remaining customers. by co-ops, most co-op service territories This is why affordability is so important are located in sparsely are located in sparsely populated counties. to electric co-ops. Their member-owners populated counties. Co-ops serve 70 percent of the state’s landrely on electricity to run their businesses mass and bring electricity to every corner and homes in areas where jobs are scarce of the state. and incomes are stagnant. The Colorado legislature has long recognized the economic Access to affordable electricity is a critical element of the challenges facing rural Colorado, and earlier this year it passed economic survival of rural Colorado. Today, Colorado’s electric legislation creating a rural Jump Start program. Under this proco-ops play an important role in providing that electricity and gram, businesses that locate in economically challenged areas supporting an economic recovery that includes all corners of the of the state will receive exemptions from state income and sales state, corners where rural Colorado still exits. taxes, as well as local business personal property taxes. Employees of those businesses may be eligible to have their state income taxes waived. A pilot of the new program is scheduled for next year before it is rolled out statewide. We at the electric co-ops applaud the Jump Start program and are ready to work with the new businesses and people this Kent Singer, Executive Director
From all the Folks at the Colorado Rural Electric Association — Happy Holidays 4
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[ letters] Clean Power Plan Viewpoints To say I am disappointed (with Kent Singer’s September Clean Power Plan comments) is an understatement. The column is misleading, factually inaccurate and likely wrong in its claims that electricity costs will skyrocket because of CO2 reductions. It doesn’t seem like the Colorado Rural Electric Association’s views are consistent with (my local electric co-op), which is rebranding itself, modernizing and positioning itself for a new energy paradigm.
Jeff Troeger, Steamboat Springs
I wanted to compliment you on the evenhanded, yet principled, position you took on your (September) editorial. I, too, care deeply about keeping the beauty of the Colorado mountains as pristine as we can afford to; but the fact that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has acted unilaterally and without any pretense at cost-benefit analysis is outrageous. I hope that the lawsuits that challenge the EPA’s methods are successful and lead to a more nuanced and effective approach to long-term clean air goals. Existing plants should at least have a glide path to operate through their remaining useful lives to avoid stranded asset costs by permitting existing depreciation schedules to run through to completion.
Don O’Neill, Winter Park
Support for Electric Co-ops I enjoy reading Colorado Country Life, especially the quotes from kids, but also most of the other articles. Really appreciate our electricity — especially when it comes back on after an outage. Thanks to all the crews.
Sharon Clifton, Coaldale
Lamenting a Throwaway Society The back cover of the October magazine was offensive to me. The “Replace, Never Repair Damaged Extension Cords” was a punch in the gut for those of us who still know how to work with our hands. Your “throwaway society, buy new stuff at the big box stores” promotion of consumerism is part of the problem with America. I have cords that are 20-plus years old that are better maintained and repaired and trustable than anything new.
Dwayne Seibert, Black Forest
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DECEMBER 2015
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[calendar]
December
Through December 23 Golden The Polar Express™ Train Ride Colorado Railroad Museum 303-279-4591 coloradorailroadmuseum.org December 4-6 Boulder Holiday Festival CU Macky Auditorium 303-492-8008 • cupresents.org December 4-5 Colorado Springs Christmas Crèche Exhibit 8710 Lexington Drive 6-7 pm coloradospringscreche.org December 4-5 Durango Old-Fashioned Christmas Bazaar Animas Museum 970-259-2402 animasmuseum.org December 4-January 4 Fort Collins Garden of Lights Gardens on Spring Creek 5-9 pm • fcgov.com/gardens December 5 Bellvue Stove Prairie Winter Festival Stove Prairie Elementary 10 am-4 pm • 970-488-6575 December 5-6 Cortez Crafts Bazaar and Lunch St. Margaret Mary’s Church Hall 8 am-3 pm • 970-564-1468 December 5 Durango Community Christmas Bazaar St. Mark’s Parish Hall 8:30 am-3 pm • 970-247-1129 December 9 Cortez “Snowflakes and Other Wintry Things” Concert Montezuma-Cortez High School Auditorium 7 pm • mancosvalleychorus.org
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December 11-13 Aspen Locals’ Weekend The Little Nell and Other Locations thelittlenell.com December 11 Denver “Christmas Lights of Denver” Bus Tour Denver Areas 4:30-9:30 pm • 303-866-2394 December 11 Granby Town Birthday Celebration Historic Train Depot 11 am-2 pm • 970-887-2311 December 12 Bayfield Frosty’s Holiday Craft Fair and Farmer/Flea Market Bayfield High School/ Old BMS Gym 9 am-2:30 pm • 970-903-4294 December 12 Cañon City “Spirit of the Season” Appreciation Night Fremont Center for the Arts 6-8:30 pm • 719-275-2790 December 12 Estes Park Dasher 5K/Fun Run Town Hall epmarathon.org/other-races/ dasher-5k/ December 12-13 Fort Collins Shop the Avery Carriage House Boutique The Avery House 1-4 pm • 970-221-0533 December 12 Golden Holiday Sweater Party Foothills Art Center 12:30-2:30 pm 303-279-3922 x 32 December 13 Beulah Yule Log Celebration Pavilion at Pueblo Mountain Park 1 pm • bvartcouncil.org December 13 Littleton Holiday’s Evening Littleton Museum 5:30-8 pm • littletongov.org
Trail of Lights
Through January 2, Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, Littleton
Feast your eyes on a stunning array of colorful light displays in a charming country setting. The Gardens, decorated with holiday magic and synchronized music in the children’s play area, are sure to delight the little ones and the young at heart. Free hayrides, a warming hut and fire pit are available on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit botanicgardens.org/events/specialevents/trail-lights.
December 14 Denver “Friends in High Places” Lecture History Colorado Center 1-2 pm • 303-866-2394 December 18-19 Durango “The Music Man” Theater Performance Durango Arts Center 7 pm • durangoarts.org December 18-20 Monument Christmas Cantata Palmer Ridge High School rwmanning@comcast.net December 18-20 Pueblo Santa at ElectriCritters Pueblo Zoo 6-8 pm • pueblozoo.org December 19 Burlington Breakfast With Santa and Mrs. Claus Burlington Community Center 9 am-12 pm • 719-346-8918 December 19-20 Grand Lake “Home for the Holidays” Theater Performance Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre 970-627-5087 rockymountainrep.com December 19-21 Lakewood “The Nutcracker” Ballet Lakewood Cultural Center 303-945-4388 • balletariel.org
December 19 Wiggins Holiday Craft Fair Wiggins Elementary Gym 10 am-3 pm • 970-380-1888
January
January 1 Evergreen Evergreen Lake Plunge Evergreen Lake 12 pm • drive-smart.org
January 2 Colorado Springs Delicious Downtown Food Tour Downtown Colorado Springs 2:30-5 pm rockymountainfoodtours.com January 3 Denver Colorado Connections Tour Denver Botanic Gardens 2 pm • botanicgardens.org
SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO: CALENDAR Colorado Country Life 5400 N. Washington St. Denver, CO 80216 Fax to 303.455.2807 or email calendar@ coloradocountrylife.org. Items will be printed on a space available basis. For more information on these and other events, visit coloradocountrylife.coop. coloradocountrylife.coop
YAMPA VALLEY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
[YVEA News] YVEA and Stagecoach Hydro Join Forces to Enable the Power of Water for Co-op Members BY DIANE JOHNSON || PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER || DJOHNSON@YVEA.COM
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The Program is available to I’m pleased to announce that members with energy usage in Yampa Valley Electric Associaexcess of 1,500,000 kWh per year. tion (YVEA) and Upper Yampa These members may choose to Water Conservancy District (UYparticipate in the Stagecoach WCD) have signed a purchased Hydro Energy marketing program power agreement that brings by subscribing to program block(s), hydro power from the Stagein increments of 1,000 kWh-related coach Reservoir back to our Diane Johnson blocks. There are 3,600 blocks service territory. Starting in Noavailable. Once these blocks are vember, YVEA will be buying the subscribed, no additional blocks are availrenewable, hydro power that is produced by the John Fetcher Power Plant, at Stagecoach Reservoir. The agreement ensures that the clean, renewable energy from Stagecoach Reservoir, with 800 kW capacity, is used to serve YVEA members and the revenue from the sale of this power supports operations for the UYWCD. The new partnership also includes a unique program that will allow YVEA’s largest members to advertise the value of receiving Stagecoach Reservoir power from Stagecoach Hydro, a local, clean energy source.
able until and unless another member stops subscribing. The charge for one block is $10, with the revenue from these subscriptions going to UYWCD. This program will be available January 1, 2016 and is, of course, voluntary. Look for more information on the program to come soon. My thanks goes out to the visionary past and present board members and staff of both organizations who made this happen.
YVEA PARTNERS WITH YAMPA VALLEY BANK FOR CO-OP’S BANKING SERVICES
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We have a partnership with Yampa Valley Bank to celebrate. We are pleased to announce that Yampa Valley Electric Association chose Yampa Valley Bank to provide us with all of our banking service needs. Yampa Valley Bank is a truly locally-owned bank serving the people of Routt and Moffat counties. President and CEO P.J. Wharton said, "Our singular commitment to community banking is reflected in the honest and friendly service provided to all our visitors. It's what we call genuine hometown banking. It's who we are." YVB Craig was voted best of Moffat County for six years running, and YVB Steamboat just won its third year as Best Bank of the ’Boat. In addition to receiving local accolades, YVB is one of the top 100
coloradocountrylife.coop
Community Banks in America, according to SNL Financial. It was the philanthropist of the year for a business and is the only locallyowned bank.
DECEMBER 2015
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[YVEA News]
EMPLOYEE BIOS • EMPLOYEE BIOS • EMPL Jason Hall Engineering Supervisor Jason Hall is the engineering supervisor for YVEA. Jason grew up in Denver and graduated from Colorado State University with an electrical engineering degree. He began working for a co-op in Colorado and worked there more than four years. He got married and wanted to move closer to family so he took a position with an engineering firm in Denver. After more than two years he realized that working at a co-op is where he wanted to be. In his role as engineering supervisor, Jason designs electrical transmission, substation and distribution facilities. He also develops short- and long-range projections and plans to maintain and improve the reliability and integrity of the electrical system. He provides technical expertise to other departments as well as oversees all functions of the engineering department. Jason and his wife have one son and are expecting their second son in December. He enjoys what he does because he gets exposure to so many types of projects and the satisfaction of keeping members’ power on. Something unique about Jason is that he has a twin brother who is a computer engineer.
Amy Mahon Finance Manager Amy Mahon is the finance manager at YVEA. In her role as finance manager, Amy is responsible for managing and directing the finance duties of the cooperative, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll, capital credits, work orders and transportation system accounting and rates analysis. She prepares monthly and year-to-date financial statements and reports and leads and compiles the annual preparation of the budget. Amy attended West Grand High School, has a bachelor’s in accounting from Regis University, as well as a master’s in accounting and a 8
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master’s in finance also from Regis University. She is married and has a son and a daughter. She loves what she does because accounting is challenging and technical. She had never had a boring moment. She loves people and will always find the best and most positive aspect in all situations. In her spare time, she likes to rodeo, snowmobile and ranch with her family.
setting and with everyone in the community. Julie has nine years of customer service experience. She and her husband also own their own business.
Anna Daniels Member Relations Representative
Eddie Magee is YVEA’s transmission and distribution operations supervisor. He is originally from Mississippi and moved to the area in 2002. He has worked for YVEA for 13 years. He attended Water Valley High School and Tennessee Valley Public Power Association lineman college. In his role as transmission and distribution operations supervisor, Eddie manages and supervises the activities of the operations and maintenance departments. He develops, schedules and manages crews during trouble calls and outages. He also directs periodic line patrol and voltage and load measurements and evaluates the physical and electrical condition of the system. He implements appropriate action to maintain continuity and power quality standards for electric service. Eddie enjoys working with different departments to accomplish common goals. It takes a team to operate a co-op, he says. He is married with three kids. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing and the outdoors, but he does not like the snow.
Anna Daniels is one of YVEA’s member relations representatives. In her role as member relations representative, Anna provides customer service to members in all aspects of member relations, including directing phone calls, answering billing questions, processing payments and answering inquiries about YVEA’s programs. Anna is a native of Colorado and moved to Steamboat from Thornton in 2003. She is married and has two children. She has a lifetime of customer service experience, including utility experience, and also won a service excellence award in her previous employment. In her spare time, Anna and her family enjoy camping. When Anna has the time she also likes to knit and read.
Julie Forney Member Relations Representative Julie Forney is one of YVEA’s member relations representatives. In her role as member relations representative, Julie provides customer service to members in all aspects of member relations, including directing phone calls, answering billing questions, processing payments and answering inquiries about any of YVEA’s programs. She is a native of Colorado and attended the University of Northern Colorado. She moved to the area in 2000. She is married with a family that is grown. She enjoys working with others in an office
Eddie Magee Transmission and Distribution Operations Supervisor
Jerry Nanio Field Service Representative Jerry Nanio is a field service representative for YVEA. Jerry has been with YVEA for 31 years. He is originally from Westminster and moved to the area in 1979. He attended Mapleton High School in Thornton and Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs. In his role as field service representative, Jerry implements customer requests for new, revised and relocated service, as well as provides technical assistance in areas of coloradocountrylife.coop
[YVEA News]
LOYEE BIOS • EMPLOYEE BIOS system design, construction and maintenance. He also designs overhead and underground distribution facilities, including calculating material breakdown, drawing staking sheets, assigning work orders and preparing member correspondence. Jerry enjoys what he does because it helps to build the community. He is married and has two married daughters and one granddaughter. In his spare time he enjoys doing stained glass. He began doing stained glass in 1995 when he was out of work on long-term disability while being treated for cancer. Now, because of his experience, he is involved with the local Catholic Church with a project to make 166 stained glass windows. Only 39 more to go.
Joe Knez Warehouseman Joe Knez is one of the warehousemen at YVEA. Joe has been with YVEA for a year and a half. He was born and raised in Craig and attended Moffat County High School. In his role as warehouseman, Joe is responsible for all aspects of the warehouse including receiving and stocking of incoming materials and transformers and assigning inventory numbers. Joe is also responsible for issuing materials in the work
order flow, and issues materials identified on the staking sheets and distributes them to work crews. Joe also maintains all records of transactions in the warehouse. He enjoys what he does because he gets to work in a positive environment with a great team whose purpose is to “keep the lights on.” He and his family enjoy camping, hunting, fishing and sports. Something unique about Joe is that he once traveled to Moscow, Russia, to play baseball.
Mike Vandenburg General Foreman Mike Vanderburg is one of YVEA’s general foremen. He has been with YVEA for 11 years. He is originally from Flasher, North Dakota, and moved to the area in 2003. He attended Bismarck State College. In his role as general foreman, Mike provides job-site supervision and leadership to staff for training, guidance and direction of work activities, as well as maintains a thorough knowledge of the entire electrical system. Mike enjoys what he does because it is rewarding to help restore power and live in such an awesome area. He has a daughter and a son and grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota. He is a third generation lineworker.
Steve Johnson Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Johnson is YVEA’s vice president and chief operating officer. He has been with YVEA for two years and in the electric utility business for the past 18 years, coming to YVEA from Meeker Cooperative in Minnesota. He is originally from Carrington, North Dakota, and attended the University of Minnesota and received a bachelor of science degree in environmental resource management. In his role as VP and COO, Steve oversees all aspects of the operations, engineering and information technology departments. Steve enjoys what he does because it gives him an opportunity to work with members and staff on various levels of electricity delivery. He is married and has two sons and loves to be in the outdoors enjoying Steamboat Springs and the mountains.
Thanks for your hard work and dedication to YVEA.
YVEA Helps Local Boys Go to Mini Bareback Riding World Championship in Las Vegas We are proud to sponsor two boys from Hayden, J.D. Case and Keenan Hayes, who were the only two boys from Colorado who qualified to ride at the Mini Bareback Riding World Championship in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Final Rodeo in December. J.D. Case qualified for the 6-9 year age division, and Keenan Hayes qualified for the 10-14 year age division. Rocky Mountain Mini Broncs partnered with Rocky Mountain Bronc Riders Association in an effort to make bronc riding great again. The goal of RMMB is getting kids interested in the sport of rodeo at a young age. RMMB is filling the gap between mutton bustin’ and the big boys and is based out of northwestern Colorado. J.D. Case is riding in honor of his great-grandfather, Franklin Case, and grandfather, Glenn Franklin Case, both of whom worked for Yampa Valley Electric Association.
coloradocountrylife.coop
Protect Your Pipes When Old Man Winter turns up the chill, don’t forget about your home’s pipes. To prevent water pipes from freezing, keep faucets turned on slightly so that water drips from the tap. Know how to shut off water valves just in case a pipe bursts.
DECEMBER 2015
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[YVEA News]
TO SERVE YOU BETTER … In the November issue, Yampa Valley Electric Association addressed more questions and answers regarding its implementation of advanced metering infrastructure. Each month as we work to modernize and upgrade the electric grid, we want to give you a better understanding of the steps we are taking to accomplish this. This month we want to address a few more questions you may have regarding AMI. Will my new meter track or monitor individual appliances? No, your new AMI meter will only monitor your power usage and will transmit the data in an encrypted format several times a day. I have heard these meters put off electromagnetic fields or radio waves. Should I be concerned? Wireless meters result in much smaller levels of radio frequency exposure than many existing household electronic devices, particularly cell phones and microwave ovens. Research conducted by the Federal Communications Commission, the Electric Power Research Institute, the Utilities Telecom Council and others indicates these meters operate well within the limits considered safe for humans and animals.
The exposure from the new meters is much lower than other common sources for two reasons: 1) infrequent signal transmission and 2) distance. On a daily basis, the cooperative’s meters will emit power for less than one minute a day. In addition, these meters are typically placed outdoors, with a wall separating the meter from the living space. This combination of placement and infrequent operation means that you would need to be within 1 foot of 7,000 advanced meters all communicating at the same time to reach the FCC exposure limit. Members can rest assured our new metering equipment is safe for them and their families. For up-to-date information on this project as well as a video explaining AMI please, visit our website at www.yvea.com. We also created an icon on our website next to our Facebook and Twitter icons for easy access to AMI information.
YVEA’s New Customer Service Location in Craig
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Yampa Valley Electric Association is pleased to announce its partnership with Yampa Valley Bank, conveniently located at 435 Mack Lane, Suite 203 in Craig. This partnership will allow for some fantastic changes. We relocated our customer services portion of our Craig office into Yampa Valley Bank to better serve you. Our new office opened November 30 and office hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will allow you a one-stop shopping experience in a safe and secure environment. Our payment drop box located at City Market will continue to be available. Our current location on E. U.S. Highway 40 will become operations deployment, warehouse and contractor services. Our current drop box at 3715 E. U.S. Highway 40 will be relocated to Yampa Valley Bank. We will no longer accept payments, new service or any type of billing service at our Craig office at 3715 E. U.S. Highway 40. At Yampa Valley Electric, we are constantly striving for excellent customer service, and we know this new partnership will help us become a stronger organization. Please stop by and see us and pick up your free gift.
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Youth Tour Washington, D.C., and Youth Leadership Camp, Glen Eden
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If you are a high school junior or senior in YVEA’s territory, we are looking for two students to attend the Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 9-16 and the Youth Leadership Camp at Glen Eden in Clark, Colorado, July 17-22. If you are interested, call us at 970-879-1160 ext. 2245 or visit our website at www.yvea.com/ content/youth-programs for an application and more information. coloradocountrylife.coop
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SEPTEMBER 2015
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[newsclips]
Electric Co-ops Focus on Innovations in Energy
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Updates on wind generation technology, what’s happening with net metering, an outlook for natural gas, today’s advances in battery storage — these were just some of the topics covered in this year’s CREA Energy Innovations Summit October 26 in downtown Denver. The daylong program was packed with experts from all parts of the energy industry and a variety of viewpoints were presented to the more than 250 attendees. A highlight of the day was the lunch presentation by Dr. Donald Sadoway of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who explained his liquid metal battery. Sadoway was excited about how this battery can help create storage that will allow the electric grid to further incorporate resources that are currently not reliable enough to be an “always available” energy source. The new liquid metal battery designed by his students at MIT and now being Donald Sadoway developed by Ambri is a grid-scale storage technology that will be available for use by a variety of participants in the electric industry. This new technology is flexible, able to respond in milliseconds to grid signals and has an amazingly long life span. And
Members of the opening panel of the CREA Energy Innovations Summit discuss the evolving electric utility paradigm and who will be supplying electricity in 2025.
it is emissions free, operates silently and has no moving parts, which also adds to its long life span. The day’s programs closed with a look at new regulations that are changing the way utilities serve their customers as more distributed, customer-owned generation, such as solar panels, is incorporated into the grid.
Have You Returned the Magazine Survey?
S Co-op Bike Team Raises $6,800+ for EOC
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Powering the Plains team members rode 172 miles in the Pedal the Plains bike tour of eastern Colorado this past September and raised $6,823.80 for Energy Outreach Colorado. Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ team and the co-sponsoring electric co-ops raised more than $3,848 for EOC, $2,500 of which was matched by power supplier Basin Electric. Another $425.80 from the bicyclists’ registration fees was donated to EOC in the co-ops’ name by the Pedal the Plains organization. Supporting the Powering the Plains team and its efforts for Energy Outreach Colorado were the Colorado Rural Electric Association, Colorado Country Life, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Holy Cross Energy in Glenwood Springs, K.C. Electric in Hugo, Highline Electric in Holyoke, Poudre Valley REA in Fort Collins, Morgan County REA in Fort Morgan, Mountain View Electric in Limon, San Isabel Electric in Pueblo West, San Miguel Power in Ridgway, Southeast Colorado Power in La Junta, United Power in Brighton, White River Electric in Meeker, Lewis Roca Rothgerber in Denver and Wright & Williamson in Sterling. Energy Outreach Colorado raises funds to provide low-income Coloradans with home energy assistance. Contact EOC at 303-825-0766 or energyoutreach.org.
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Some of you received mailed surveys from Colorado Country Life earlier this fall. If you didn’t return it, you then received a follow-up survey a couple of weeks ago. Please fill out the survey and mail it back by December 11. We are interested in finding out how well-read the magazine is. Do you read it each month? What do you read? Who else do you share the magazine with? We want to know. We appreciate your help as we work to make Colorado Country Life an even better magazine.
Did You Know? Widespread use of LED lighting has the greatest potential impact on energy savings in the United States. By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save about 348 terawatt-hours of electricity (compared to no LED use). This is the equivalent annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants (1,000 megawatts each), and a total savings of more than $30 billion at today’s electricity prices. — U.S. Department of Energy
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[newsclips]
Carbon XPRIZE Goal: Solutions for Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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5/2017 6/2016 10/2017 2/2020 Designed to encourage research into ROUND 2 ROUND 1 TEST FACILITIES ROUND 3 SUBMISSION breakthrough technologies that will SUBMISSION DEADLINE OPEN TO TEAMS OPERATIONAL DEADLINE LATE SUBMISSION PERIOD ENDS 9/2015 convert carbon dioxide emissions DEADLINE LAUNCH from power plants and industrial facilities into valuable products, 3/2020 9/2016 9/2017 5/2019 3/2016 the Carbon XPRIZE was launched WINNERS ANNOUNCED SEMIFINALISTS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED ROUND 3 REGISTRATION AND GRAND PRIZE ANNOUNCED AND MILESTONE PURSES OPERATIONAL DEADLINE by the California-based XPRIZE PURSES AWARDED ROUND 2 BEGINS AWARDED AND PERIOD BEGINS Foundation with the help of the ROUND 3 BEGINS country’s electric cooperatives. Among the initiators is Colorado electric co-op power supplier Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association in Westminster. Also pledging significant support are Basin Electric Power Cooperative in North Dakota and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the co-ops’ national trade association. The 4.5-year contest will take two tracks — one focused on testing technologies at a coal-fired power plant owned by Basin and one at a natural gas generation facility in Calgary, Alberta. Financial backing for the $20 million global Carbon XPRIZE comes largely from NRG Energy and Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance. According to Jim Spiers, NRECA vice president for business and technology strategies, the three most likely technologies to become finalists are bio fuels, bio mimicry (building materials) and graphene, a carbon “miracle material” that could make silicon a has-been as a semiconductor.
For more information on this push to “reimagine CO2,” visit carbon.xprize.org.
Electric Co-ops Work to Bring Light to Ethiopia About 65 million businesses and households (two out of three people) lack access to reliable electricity in the African country of Ethiopia. Electric co-ops, through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s nonprofit international foundation, are working to change that. NRECA International and the World Bank signed a contract to help the government of Ethiopia draft a strategy to expand access to electricity. In October, a team from NRECA International began work in Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa on plans to improve the country’s electric infrastructure. “An increasing number of world leaders now recognize that reliable access to electricity is critical for sustainable economic growth,” said Dan Waddle, NRECA International senior vice president.
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[industry]
Staving Off the
Common Cold Radiant floor heat may be the cure BY CRAIG SPRINGER
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You could call it the cure for the common cold — cold floors, cold feet and cold houses. Electric radiant floor heat may not be well known in the heating industry, and especially among consumers, but it is not necessarily the newest concept. It’s been around a while, at least since the Roman Empire. The concept is simple: Heat the flooring and the objects on the floor — the furniture, rugs, carpet, tiles and wood — and they will radiate the warmth into the room. Heat, after all, radiates toward cooler surfaces. Here’s an example. Grab your hot coffee mug. You can feel the heat from the hot brew not only rising, but also radiating from the sides and the bottom. Radiant energy is a transfer of heat to a cooler surface, in this case with your hot brew, into your hands holding the cup. While heated air rises, the heat itself — the energy — radiates in any direction but always toward a cooler surface. Your comfort in the home relies not only on the temperature of the air around you, but also on radiant heat transfer. In the depths of winter, your forced-air furnace blows warm air on you, but your feet are cold. That’s because heated air rises and the coolest air swirls around your toes. Radiant heat delivers controlled, comfortable heat without air ducts, dust and noisy furnaces where it matters most: where you live in your home, not at 8 feet above the floor near the ceiling. Electric radiant heat is installed in a number of ways in the flooring via cables, mats, films or mesh netting, all with a
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Floor-heating systems work well in large rooms. Multiple mats can be connected to a single thermostat. Source: Watts Radiant
heating element. Through much of the tion on the flooring type. You can use it 20th century, hot-water wall radiators under wood, tile or natural stone. were popular for heating homes. You can The benefits of radiant heat extend still find them in old homes, most often as to heating your home where and when a visual relic or a makeshift plant stand. you need it. The heating systems can But with the advent of air-conditioning, be set with programmable thermostats heated air was delivered through the same to economize on energy consumption. air conditioning ducts, and soon took Moreover, you can heat the rooms by over and remains dominant. zoning — heating where you need it when But radiant heat is seeing a resurgence. you want it. The square footage of homes heated in the Other radiant heat sources include mats United States by electric and films. Some are installed in the conradiant heat is increasing at a steady rate. “About crete between joists and others laid 5 percent per year,” says directly under carpet or wood floors. Mark Eatherton, executive director of the The technology is really starting to catch Radiant Professionals on in the United States. Alliance. “Among new housing starts, 5 percent more homes each year are heated by radiWhile electric radiant panels can be ant heat.” This steady growth should be used to heat an entire house, you can also no surprise, Eatherton says. “It’s economi- use the technology to heat small problem cal. It’s easy to install. It’s reliable.” areas like a cold bathroom, chilly kitchen For additions to a home, electric panels or drafty sewing room. With the divercan be laid easily beneath the flooring. sity of products and applications, there’s There’s no furnace and there’s no limitavirtually no limit to where the technolcoloradocountrylife.coop
[industry] ogy can be used. Electric radiant heat in particular solves heating problems for additions and remodels where removing the existing heating source or tapping into it isn’t practical. And that’s where I recently found myself, facing the problem of heating a new home-office addition but not being able to tap into the existing hydronic radiant heat — a system of water-filled tubes in the foundation heated by a natural-gas boiler. The choices for the addition were few. There was forced air, but that’s loud and dusty and the office would be too much like a motel room with that type of heater. A woodstove had potential, but like the forced-air heaters, dust was a concern. Baseboard heaters were too bulky. They would limit furniture placement and reduce usable square footage in the new addition. So here’s what we did: research. And that led us to a suite of products developed in Europe and South Africa. Under the hickory floor of our new home office lies a flexible, 1/12-inch-thick heating pad that was rolled out over the underlayment. The heat source is an ultra slim four-layer film of foil, literally rolled out over an underlayment. For do-it-yourself homeowners, it’s a product of merit. It’s warm and quiet and takes up no space at all, save for a programmable thermostat on the wall. These products integrate well with several programmable thermostats operated via your home’s Wi-Fi, such as the popular Nest thermostat. Other radiant heat sources include mats and films. Some are installed in the concrete between joists and others laid directly under carpet or wood floors. The technology is really starting to catch on in the United States. Through the Scandinavian countries you’ll see that electric radiant heat is quite prevalent. The Nordics even use it to melt ice outside. Water-based hydronic radiant heat can be cost prohibitive up front. Plumbing and boilers with slurry to cap the piping system are expensive. An electric floor warming system can be put under most floors without major investments. Not only does electric radiant heat have a benefit on your pocketbook, there are other benefits to using this new technology to heat your home. Without coloradocountrylife.coop
Electric floor-heating systems are available for a variety of floor surfaces, including tile, stone, carpet and hardwood. Source: WarmlyYours
This electric radiant heat system is a simple, safe and efficient alternative to mechanical systems or multi-step mortar installation processes. Source: Watts Radiant
forced-air heating, you’ll see a reduction in allergens, pollutants and dust blowing through your house. Floor warming can reduce dust mite infestations by as much as 80 percent. For allergy sufferers, that’s significant. There are no vents, no drafts, no loud furnaces or boilers and no unsightly vents to hide with curtains, and fewer limitations on furniture placement. According to the Radiant Professionals Alliance, you could see a reduction in the cost of utilities by using radiant heat over more common heating methods. You’re not forcing air out windows and doors and you are not heating air. You are heating objects — your floor and furnishings are the radiators.
Before you buy, be sure to have a proper system designed and make sure the product can be used for your specific floor coverings. With radiant heat, you’re not spending money on air above your head and you get to keep humid air in your house instead of drying it out with forced air. And let’s not forget comfort. The Romans were on to something, this cure for the common cold. If your feet are your body’s thermostat, then warm feet warm the body. Craig Springer lives in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, where he writes about people, nature, outdoors and history. DECEMBER 2015
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Vanilla It ’s Complicated BY MARY PECK
For bakers and chefs, and really anyone who loves and reveres that magical spice we call vanilla, Santa’s workshop might as well be planted on the south side of Fort Collins. Inside these unassuming walls, tens of thousands of vanilla beans are processed every day by Rodelle, Inc., an 80-yearold baking product manufacturer renowned for its superb products that are preferred by culinary professionals and loyal home cooks. The richly fragrant, exotic pods making their way along Rodelle’s production line primarily hail from Madagascar, Uganda and India. Rodelle is one of the country’s largest importers of vanilla beans and producers of retail vanilla, processing 20 percent of the world’s beans. Anyone familiar with the brand knows Rodelle’s vanilla products are among the best on the market.
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“Vanilla is so inherent in baked goods because it’s a flavor enhancer,” Jenna Baker said. “Your mom’s Christmas cookies wouldn’t taste the same without the vanilla extract.”
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“We want to provide the purest ingredients for the best products, along with its unique vision and philosophy prices with the best quality,” said Jenna Baker, Rodelle mar- appears to be a recipe for success. Last year, Rodelle exketing manager. “There are a lot of different competitors panded its Fort Collins operations, giving it the capability out there. We distinguish ourselves by providing a product to produce the highest quality pure vanilla extract in the people can trust.” United States, according to Baker. The 65,000-square-foot That commitment to quality and headquarters is the country’s most trust has deep Colorado roots. Rodelle state-of-the-art vanilla extraction landed in Fort Collins by way of Denfacility. ver and the south of France, having Part of the expansion even included been founded by the French Rodelle the construction of a vanilla testing family after its members immigrated laboratory. One key lab test measures to Denver in 1936. Yearning for the vanillin content, the flavor compoThe richly fragrant, exotic pods high-quality vanilla extract they knew nent that gives vanilla its one-of-ain their home country, the family of kind flavor. The best extracts have making their way along Rodelle’s avid bakers soon began producing high levels of vanillin. production line primarily hail from its own premium extract. The highly “Being able to scientifically track Madagascar, Uganda and India. successful business serviced wholesale each step of the vanilla bean crop bakeries across the country for nearly from flower to cured bean to extract Rodelle is one of the country’s larg50 years. leads to a better quality product, a est importers of vanilla beans and Rodelle changed ownership in 1984 more consistent product and ultiproducers of retail vanilla, processing and, not long after, relocated to Fort mately a higher yield of product,” said Collins. The company’s first retail Devon Bruntz, research and develop20 percent of the world’s beans. bottle of vanilla extract was produced ment manager. in 1985, and it focused on growing Today, 65 full-time employees keep that market ever since. Rodelle bustling, and that number While it offers more than 50 products, ranging from swells with temporary help from August to October in lemon extract to baking cocoa to a brisket spice rub, Ropreparation for the busy holiday baking season. delle’s premium vanilla products are its most familiar. They “The most rewarding part has been seeing our Rodelle can be found in 70 percent of all North American grocery family of employees grow over the years,” said co-owner stores and online at Amazon.com. In Colorado, look for Joseph Basta. “We’ve expanded our number of employees Rodelle products in King Soopers and City Market, Costco, 10 times since 2000, and it’s been great to be able to provide Whole Foods, Target and Natural Grocers. wonderful jobs and opportunities for our employees to Rodelle’s commitment to producing superior vanilla advance in the company.” [continued on page 18]
Rodelle’s lineup of fine products. coloradocountrylife.coop
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[continued from page 17]
Rodelle Cares … Year-round
At a time of year when most folks seem a little kinder, a little more caring, it’s notable that at Rodelle, a giving spirit is in the air year round. Its leadership team is creating an unprecedented connection with its primary suppliers, which are families of farmers in the developing countries of Madagascar and Uganda. Rodelle’s co-owners visit the growing regions a couple of times each year. “Not many vanilla extract companies have been on the ground in Madagascar and Uganda,” Baker said. “Vanilla is grown so far away from where we are here in Colorado that it’s been a priority of our leadership to show all the employees what our business does ultimately impact.” The company officially partnered with a farming co-op made up of 3,000 farmers in Madagascar, which is helping it become a true farm-to-table vanilla supplier. Soon, Rodelle will be able to receive vanilla beans directly from the farmers rather than going through the traditional collector and exporter model. The partnership will help farmers develop agronomy best practices and create a model farm for other vanilla farmers, enabling them to produce vanilla competitively. Working for the collective good, developing best practices and providing guidance and support are at the heart of the “Rodelle Cares” program philosophy. “At Rodelle, we understand the importance of helping our farmers live a successful, healthy and educated life, so we focus on projects that will improve the overall standard of living. We are dedicated to going above and beyond just creating better baking products. We are focused on changing lives,” Basta said.
A lovely lush valley in Madagascar where the vanilla bean grows.
“Vanilla is grown so far away from where we are here in Colorado that it’s been a priority of our leadership to show all the employees what our business does ultimately impact.” The company’s energy-efficient, safe cooking stove and micro finance projects also had positive impacts on farming villages. Locally in Colorado, Rodelle started programs such as the Vanilla Day 5K to raise money for Hope for Madagascar. Employee volunteers are pen pals with children in Uganda and Madagascar, and the company helps sponsor kids learning. A giving tree for Fort Collins area nonprofits is also created every Christmas.
A meticulous process
The meticulous Rodelle’s manufacturing plant where vanilla is made.
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Nothing, really, about growing or processing vanilla beans is easy. Perhaps it’s what makes the spice so special. Vanilla is one of the world’s most labor-intensive crops, making it one of the most expensive. Each vanilla vine is an edible orchid plant, which attaches to shade trees or stakes. It takes about three years for a vine to begin producing flowers, and each vanilla orchid must be carefully pollinated by hand. So far, only small farms have proven to successfully produce quality vanilla beans. Agriculture practices in the developing countries of Madagascar
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and Uganda are unsophisticated, and farmers face daily challenges including the poaching of the ancient rosewood trees that hold vanilla vines. A farmer typically works about an acre of land, walking it every day looking for flowers that have opened and are ready to be hand pollinated with a small toothpick-like tool. Each flower produces just one bean. The bean grows for about six months to 7 inches in length. It’s then harvested and cured naturally in the sun for four months to develop flavor crystals — those tiny dark specks inside the bean — before it’s finally shipped. Different vanillas from different regions of the world have unique flavor profiles. Tahitian vanilla has a floral character; Ugandan is earthy; and Mexican tends to be creamier. Madagascar produces the flavor that is known as traditional French vanilla. When it’s extracted, vanilla must meet the Food and Drug Administration standard of identity for vanilla extract and contain at least 35 percent alcohol. Alcohol is the most effective agent for extracting the pure flavor from the beans. While it can’t officially be called vanilla extract, Rodelle does offer an alcohol-free vanilla flavor, which Baker says is quite popular.
T here’s just somet hing about vanilla
Vanilla has a complex flavor profile with hundreds of characteristics that create strong memory associations, according to Baker. It’s a key reason vanilla continues to be a really go-to ingredient for baking, especially at Christmastime. “Vanilla is so inherent in baked goods because it’s a flavor enhancer,” she said. “Your mom’s Christmas cookies wouldn’t taste the same without the vanilla extract.” Because it’s a flavor enhancer, Baker says that baked goods are better with vanilla extract in them. Used in savory applications, it can minimize other flavors and acidity. Some people use it in tomato sauces for that reason. It provides another element of flavor and can be a great secret ingredient. “If you’re looking for a chili recipe for instance, you wouldn’t think to put vanilla in your soup or chili but if you do, it could provide really good results,” Baker said. Rodelle works with a network of bloggers and an executive chef in the company’s on-site test kitchen. New recipes might be inspired by tradition, a season or an emerging trend. Baker noted that Rodelle is always sharing new ways to use vanilla by developing recipes for concoctions with spirits and unexpected savory dishes. Aimee Shugarman, author of the Shugary Sweets blog, is a longtime champion of the brand. “I love the depth of flavor in their vanilla products. Unlike imitation or other brands, I feel you can truly taste the difference,” she said. “And I love what they do for the countries they purchase their vanilla from. They are a good company of people who care, making a difference in this world.”
Bet ter wit h age
As a leading vanilla product producer, Rodelle clearly sets the bar high. In addition to its goal of becoming a true farmto-table operation, the company plans to continue developing products in response to consumer interest and trends. A new Worldly Spices line will be launched next year, inspired by the growing popularity of international flavors. “We really want to celebrate “Each year, new food trends that we’ve been part of so start to emerge, thus giving many baking memories for R&D teams a chance to develop new products for future use,” so long and, to do that and Bruntz said. “Our work in R&D demonstrate our techniques is almost always something and quality and practices different each day, which is exciting.” throughout the years, we’ve This holiday season, extra come out with Rodelle excitement is surrounding the Reserve,” said Jenna Baker, recent release of a limited-batch, ultra premium vanilla extract Rodelle marketing manager. produced in honor of Rodelle’s 80th anniversary. “We really want to celebrate that we’ve been part of so many baking memories for so long and, to do that and demonstrate our techniques and quality and practices throughout the years we’ve come out with Rodelle Reserve,” said Baker. Each bottle of the ultra premium extract was aged for several months in French oak barrels, just as it was in 1936. A single 6.75-ounce bottle retails for $50 and has a vanilla bean in it, making no two bottles the same. “Rodelle Reserve is the best vanilla extract available with the purest of ingredients and a vintage feel that honors the heritage of the world’s favorite flavor,” said Basta. Like all of Rodelle’s vanilla products, the high-end extract somehow captures the heritage, quality and loving cultivation of plants and people. It is the essence of both Rodelle and the ancient spice itself. “There’s a lot of pride in the company to do things right,” Baker said. In the season of light, gifts come in many forms. And, in the heart of Colorado’s Front Range, little brown pods are helping bring joy and delicious flavors to cookie lovers across the state and country while helping create a brighter future for farmers half a world away. Mary Peck is a freelance writer and amateur baker. She lives in northern Colorado with her family of willing taste testers.
Learn how to strip the vanilla from an actual vanilla bean in the short video at https://youtu.be/T39J_OXj_jA.
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[recipes]
In the Spirit of Sharing
Rodelle dishes out some of its most prized dessert recipes BY AMY HIGGINS || AHIGGINS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
Shipshape Shapes To keep your cookie cutters from sticking to the dough, dip them in flour before each cut. Also, cut the shapes close together to use as much dough as possible.
Chill Out Chill sugar cookie dough 20 to 30 minutes before cutting it into shapes. Chilled dough is easier to work with and your shapes will have nice, defined edges.
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Get out your cookie cutters and kitchen apron and start baking those holiday treats. We suggest heading to the Rodelle website (rodellekitchen.com) where you’ll find hundreds of heavenly dessert recipes that your friends and family will rave about. Sure, you want to whip up your own tried-and-true recipes, but give these reputable gems a shot. They could find their way into your trusty holiday recipe vault.
Stained Glass Sugar Cookies 1/4 pound butter (1 stick), room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon Rodelle Pure Vanilla Extract 1 tablespoon cream 1 1/2 cups flour 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking powder Red and green Jolly Rancher candy, 10-15 of each, crushed
Stout Brownies
1 cup flour 1/4 cup Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa 3 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate 8 tablespoons butter Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two baking 4 eggs sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Cream 1 cup cane sugar the butter, then gradually add the sugar, beating until 1 cup brown sugar, packed light. Add the egg, vanilla extract and cream. Beat 1/2 teaspoon salt thoroughly. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup stout (or any dark beer) the flour, salt and baking powder. Add to the butter 2 teaspoons Rodelle Vanilla Extract mixture and blend well. Prepare a clean, flat surface by 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips covering it with flour, enough so that the dough will Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour not stick to the surface. Using a floured rolling pin, roll and baking cocoa into a medium bowl. Melt semidough to 1/4-inch thick. Using a larger cookie cutter, sweet chocolate in a bowl in the microwave oven or cut shapes into the dough. Transfer the cutouts to a over boiling water. In a small pan, over medium heat, prepared cookie sheet. Center a smaller cookie cutter melt the butter until just golden brown. Pour brown into the larger cutout; press and gently remove dough. butter into small bowl. Scrape the pan to get the Bake cookies for 5 minutes, until slightly set. Remove brown bits. In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle tray from oven and with a small spoon or small utensil attachment, beat together the eggs, sugars and salt sprinkle crushed Jolly Rancher candy into the center of until thick and shiny, about 2 minutes. Continue each cookie. Return tray to oven and bake 5-7 minutes beating on low while alternately adding flour mixture more, until candy is melted and cookies are golden. and wet ingredients, finishing with vanilla extract. Do Allow to cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour into a before setting on wire rack to cool completely. floured 9- by 9-inch pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop for more holiday recipes.
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Gift Guide FRACTILES MAGNETIC TILING TOY
Made in Colorado, Fractiles is a unique art and design toy for ages 6 to 106. In the classroom, on the road or at the kitchen table, awarding winning Fractiles is a relaxing group or solo activity. Use these wonderful little tiles to create an endless variety of beautiful patterns and designs. Includes brightly colored precision-cut magnetic tiles, a sturdy steel activity board and record albumstyle folder package. For more information, call Fractiles at 303-541-0930 or visit www.fractiles.com.
Do you need a great gift idea? Did you know that you could get a Colorado Country Life subscription for $9 in-state and $15 out-of-state? All you have to do is call 303455-4111 and the nice people at CCL will take care of the details.
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[gardening]
Create a Glimmering Garden Fun crafts that will illuminate your outdoor spaces BY KRISTEN HANNUM || GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
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Everyone loves lights during this festive time of the year. They invoke a sense of holiday spirit and appreciation of all that surrounds us. But there is another place where twinkling magic happens: out in the garden. Over the years I have set out paper bag lanterns (the traditional luminarias of New Mexico) along the front walkway for guests, arranged sturdy, homemade watercolor paper lanterns on a snow-covered table in the yard and hung glass jar lanterns from the long branch of our honeysuckle tree on a cold winter’s night. They were all lovely, like stars shimmering in the bare winter landscape. Candlelight creates homemade garden art of the most ephemeral, loveliest kind, summer or winter. And with today’s battery-powered flameless candles, some of which actually flicker, you can set out your lanterns without fear of fire.
Glass jar lanterns
Glass jar lantern
You will need a stock of used glass jars, wire hangers, needle-nose pliers, sand or gravel and tea candles. Wrap the wire hangers around the necks of each jar with needle-nose pliers. Scoop sand or gravel into the bottoms to keep the candle from knocking around. Drop a tea candle into the bottoms and then hang them from the branches in your garden.
Paper bag lumninaires Paper bag luminarias
Paper bag luminarias You will need paper lunch bags, cardboard, a craft knife, sand and tea candles, flameless or real. Cut some cardboard so you can place a piece into the bottom of each lunch bag. Cut a star or tree shape into one side of each bag with a craft knife. Or use a star-shaped paper puncher and punch out a bunch of stars all around the bag. Fold the top edges of the bags over once or twice all the way around to help them stand up better, put a scoop of sand in the bottom of each and then push tea candles into the bottoms.
Watercolor lanterns These are the classic Waldorf lanterns made with heavy white Bristol paper (140-pound, 11 by 15 inches). You will also need watercolors, watercolor brushes, jojoba oil, Mason jars, glue, masking tape, sand and a tea candle. Use the watercolors to make the paper colorful. After the paint dries, rub the paper with jojoba oil (or cooking oil). This gives it a translucent quality. Roll your painted sheet of paper around the Mason jar and glue the edges together; while the glue dries place a strip of masking tape over the seam — lay on side with the Mason jar inside. Once the glue dries, remove the tape, place jar in upright position, put sand in the bottom and press your tea candle inside.
Watercolor lanterns
Read
previous gardening columns at coloradocountrylife.coop/category/living-in-colorado/gardening. Kristen Hannum is a native Colorado gardener. Email or write her with wisdom or comments at gardening@coloradocountrylife.org. 22
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[gardening]
Gardening That’s for the Birds
House Finch
Photo courtesy Kay Home Products
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moving in and taking over. Cleanliness is key to staying warm, cooling off and flying right if you’re a bird. A birdbath is an easy and often beautiful addition to the garden. Buy a pedestal type and put it near protective shrubbery to keep the birds safer from cats. Birdbaths are especially important in arid areas, but even if you live near a lake, a puddle-sized birdbath will attract visitors. George Adams, author of Gardening for the Birds, How To Create a Bird-Friendly Backyard, urges gardeners to take on the difficult challenge of providing thawed water for birds in the winter. Winter sun may do the trick, but he advises going for guaranteed results by installing a stock tank deicer or heating element especially designed for birdbaths. “I know a lot of people who started out with sterile backyards and transformed them into great bird habitats,” Kress says. “They talk about how much fun it is.”
Photo courtesy Kay Home Products
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Gardening with an eye to attracting birds, plus the butterflies and bees that come along with them in the springtime, means gardening with a completely different mind-set than we’re used to. So why do it? The joy of creating a lovely home for a wide variety of colorful, lively birds turns out to be reason enough for most gardeners. But there’s more: gardeners report that an amazing satisfaction comes with doing something to help threatened birds. The National Audubon Society and the U.S. Department of the Interior say there’s been a 70 percent decline in populations of common backyard birds since 1967. If everyone made just a corner of their yard more bird friendly, that could help turn those declines around. “So many problems seem beyond individual action,” says Dr. Stephen Kress, vice president of bird conservation for the Audubon Society. “But we can make a difference for birds.” The best place to start, Kress says, is in your own backyard. Gardeners in rural areas, like so many of Colorado Country Life’s readers, are especially well-equipped to help birds because so many of them also favor rural life. It’s not difficult. Simply think in terms of being a good host, making sure that your little guests have refuge, food and water, and that you don’t accidentally poison them with pesticides or herbicides. A bird feeder is a good beginning, a first hop toward seeing your property from a bird’s point of view. The busy little birds at the feeders near a window are undeniably entertaining. Bird feeders can also help wintering birds make it through the coldest days. Don’t choose a birdhouse by its cuteness scale. That darling Victorian may be completely wrong for the birds you’re hoping to attract. Bluebirds, for instance, need doors that are one and a half inches in diameter. That discourages larger birds, namely aggressive starlings, from
Photo courtesy Kay Home Products
BY KRISTEN HANNUM || GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
American goldfinch Male northern cardinal
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[outdoors]
Bird-Dog Business
Skilled canines are a marvel in action
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BY DENNIS SMITH
WiseSavers In addition to using 70 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, LED holiday light strands are brighter, eco-friendly and safer, as they are much cooler to the touch than incandescent lights. Source: Energy.gov
The first time I went on a pheasant hunt in Colorado was a disturbingly long time ago. But I remember it like it happened yesterday because, well, for one thing, it was supposed to be a duck hunt. However, when we arrived at our destination near Crook, the air was bone-cracking cold and the duck pond was frozen thicker than a Manhattan bomb shelter. Sigh. We were trudging back to the truck when Sage, our little Labrador retriever, suddenly flushed a big cock pheasant from beneath a frozen dome of rabbitbrush. It shot straight up in a trailing plume of snow, ice and feathers, then lined Fin, a 15-month-old Labrador, sits at heel waiting for the out for the other end of the field. I command to deliver the bird to Steve Armstrong while Paul Sica watches. was struck dumb at the sight and just stood staring at it in disbelief. recently earned both his Junior Hunter However, to the obvious delight of the and Certified Pointing Retriever titles dog, one of the boys had the presence from the American Pointing Labrador of mind to shoot at it. Sage raced off to Association (quite an accomplishment for make the retrieval and immediately upon a puppy not yet 15 months old), and Steve dropping the bird at Derek’s feet began was anxious to show us his little chambouncing around excitedly with a look on pion at work. I jumped at the chance, but her face that distinctly said, “To heck with chose to tag along with a camera instead the ducks. Let’s hunt pheasants.” So we of a shotgun. did, and we bagged a three-man limit in Unless you hunted behind one, you just under four hours. can’t appreciate the fluid grace, precision Despite the number of times we hunted and astounding discipline of a highly pheasants since, that proved to be the only trained bird dog in action. Fin quartered time we ever limited out on the big color- back and forth in front of us, head high, ful birds. The sad fact is pheasant hunting nose in the air, testing the currents for the on public land in Colorado is an extremely telltale scent of a hidden pheasant, all the dicey game; we simply don’t have the num- while carefully maintaining a comfortber of birds found in neighboring states. In able distance ahead of his hunters. When fact, most of the devoted pheasant hunters his nostrils filled with scent, he went rigid I know enroll in private hunting clubs or as a rail, quivered excitedly from head to make annual pilgrimages to pheasant rich toe, stretched his neck in the direction of states like Kansas, Nebraska or the Dako- his prey and waited for Steve’s next comtas. Some do both. mand. At the signal, Fin flushed the bird, Last fall, my friend, Steve Armstrong, sat patiently until given the command to and his two buddies, John Dodge and Paul retrieve, then rushed off at top speed to Sica, invited me to accompany them as a pick up the pheasant and return to the guest hunter at Stillroven Farms, a prestihunter with his prize, where he sat at heel gious hunting club near Mead where they until given the command to deliver the are members. Steve’s yellow Labrador, Fin, bird. Watching him was a thing of beauty. Miss an issue? Catch up at coloradocountrylife.coop. Search for Outdoors.
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[energy tips] Have Your Returned Your
S U RV E Y ? Send it back and be entered in our drawing. In late October Colorado Country Life mailed you a survey. Those who didn’t send it back got a second survey a couple of weeks ago.
Send the survey back by December 11 and you’ll be entered in a drawing for an iPad Mini!!!
BETTER INDOOR AIR BY JAMES DULLEY
I
If your family is used to opening the windows for fresh air in the house, winter months can be a challenge. People often think the filter on their heat pump will take care of indoor air quality. It does help remove particles from the air, but only the ones that stay suspended. Central heating systems with efficient variable-speed blowers, which run slower and longer, will improve air quality. Bringing fresh air into the house is necessary and not always inefficient. Since the heat content of the air itself is not high, opening several windows on a windy day can exhaust much of the stale, chemical-laden air. It only takes a couple of minutes to freshen the air. Another option is to have a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning Photo credit: Boran contractor install a damper in the return duct. The damper is ducted through a filter and leads to the outside of your Graphic shows the indoor home. When and fresh air flow paths in running the an efficient heat recovery bathroom fan or ventilation system. range hood, the negative pressure created will draw fresh air indoors. When there is no negative pressure, the damper stays closed. The most efficient method to bring in filtered fresh air is a heat recovery ventilation system. The outgoing stale air transfers most of its heat (up to 80 percent) to the incoming cold fresh air, and vice versa during summer. Most models have their own duct system. Window models, similar to a window air conditioner, are effective for a single room, and they can be controlled by a timer or a humidity sensor. Learn more about better indoor air at coloradocountrylife.coop. Look under the Energy tab for Energy Tips.
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[marketplace]
WiseSavers
BELIEVE in Magic
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If your dishwasher has an energy-saving cycle, use it to save energy and money.
DECEMBER 2015
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[classifieds] TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/ month. Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay by credit card. Send your ad before the 10th of the month to: mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 phone: 303.902.7276 fax: 303.455.2807 email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org
ANTIQUE RESTORATION
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
CHAIR CANING Hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-547-0723. chaanita@q.com (858-10-16)
STORE/RESTAURANT in GROVER with RECORD of SUCCESS! 4,720 SqFt, includes trade fixtures, inventory for ONLY $285,000! Call Benson 970-744-0223! (270-12-15)
ANTLERS ANTLER CHANDELIERS made only from REAL antlers. We are the manufacturer and we sell all of our products at wholesale prices; save as much as 60% from store prices. Many other antler products and mounts, including 56” elk mount, giant moose paddles, and elk antlers. Showroom now open year ’round in Granby, CO. 18 years at this location, over 900 satisfied customers! Designers: We can provide you a single item or a whole houseful. Call ! 970-627-3053. (085-09-16)
BOOKS/CDs/DVDs FAST-PACED, LIGHT-HEARTED romantic mystery book series by Colorado author, Cricket Rohman is available at Amazon.com or www. cricketrohman.org (259-12-15)
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.) HEALTH FOOD STORE & DELI: 2 turnkey businesses in one. Strong income/customer base. Colorado mountains (970-641-5175), leave name & number. (252-12-15)
FREE
REAL ESTATE
WANTED TO BUY
FREE BOOKS/DVDS. Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com 888-211-1715. (814-12-15)
FSBO / DURANGO – GREAT PROFESSIONAL OFFICE on Main Ave. Conveniently located downtown in modern building across from Buckley Park. Two rooms, large windows, two assigned, covered parking spaces. $155,000. Roger, 970-799-2871. (265-02-16)
BUYING AUTOGRAPHS (all kinds), sports cards (pre-1980). Vintage sports and music collectibles (albums, etc.). Cash paid. Established dealer since 1986. Mike 720-334-0206, mmunns1@hotmail. com (245-01-16)
FREE FOR YOU! Win a $25 gift card. Email the number of classifieds on this page and your address to classifieds@coloradocountrylife. org. Put December Classifieds in the subject line. We’ll draw one name December 16 to win.
HELP WANTED LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME opportunity. No sales, investment, risk. Training/website provided. Monthly income plus bonuses, benefits. Call Carrie 303-579-4207, www.workathomeunited.com/ ourabundance (932-02-16)
CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION www.clockrepairandrestoration. com DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Clocks bought and sold. bob.scott@usa.net Call Robert 970-247-7729. (109-12-15)
MACHINERY & PARTS
FOR SALE ALLEN ORGAN - 2 manual, full foot pedals. Needs new home. Value $1200. Priced to sell, OBO. Buena Vista, 719-395-4966 (272-12-15) NORSE 290 with chains, D shaft logging 3-pt winch tree skidder. 165’ cable, barn kept, never used. $1250. 719-428-5063 (269-12-15) OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS - $380 with warranty. Also sell portable concentrators and oxygen supplies. Repair and service of equipment. Aspen Concentrator Repair Service 719-471-9895 (040-12-15)
www.sawmillexchange.com SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North America’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings. THE place to sell equipment. 800-459-2148. (26709-16)
REAL ESTATE 40 ACRES, 15 miles west of Walsenburg, CO on CR520. Fenced. Prime grazing. Small 2bd recently upgraded trailer on property with tenant. 8-10 gal./min. domestic well. $87,500 OBO. Owner may carry. 719-251-1131, 719-989-0850, 719-738-3500, ptapia.healthtrac@ gmail.com. (207-12-15)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the classified advertisers. Thank you for your presents in Colorado Country Life in 2015.
Kris
OWN PROPERTY? NEED INCOME? We’ll rent exclusive hunting rights from you. Looking for antelope, goose, duck, coyote, & prairie dog habitat. Encourage young sportsmen by providing safe, private access. You make the rules. 303-460-0273 (069-12-15)
RELIGION BECOME AN ORDAINED Minister by correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7558 West Thunderbird Rd, Ste 1 - #114, Peoria, AZ 85381. http://www.ordination.org (44112-15)
TICKETS NFR & PBR RODEO TICKETS – Las Vegas. Call 1-888-NFR-Rodeo (1888-637-7633). www.NFR-rodeo. com A+ rated BBB Member. (91201-16)
VACATIONS GROUP ON PRINCESS CRUISES to Alaska, 7 nights, July 30. Roundtrip Seattle. Includes Glacier Bay and coastal towns. $100/person deposit to hold cabin. Call Bon Voyage, 719-596-7447. (226-01-16)
VACATION RENTAL BAYFIELD ATTIC INN – Downtown Bayfield, Colorado. 1 bedroom, ¾ bath, tv. $75/nt or $500/wk. 970-759-6957, bayfieldatticinn.com (263-01-16) KAUAI VACATION RENTAL, 2bdr, full kitchen. Minutes from beaches. $600/wk. 808-2456500; mokihana@hawaiian.net; kauaiweddings.com. (756-05-16)
D.R. FIELD OR BRUSH MOWER, either walk behind or tow behind. Tom 970-581-1552. (12-15) NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@ hotmail.com (817-12-15) OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1975. Call Wes 303757-8553. (889-02-16) OLD COWBOY STUFF – hats, boots, spurs, chaps, Indian rugs, baskets, etc. ANYTHING OLD! Mining & railroad memorabilia, ore carts! We buy whole estates. We’ll come to you! Call 970-759-3455 or 970-5651256. (871-01-16) OLD GAS AND OIL items: Gas pumps, advertising signs, globes, etc. Pieces, parts, etc. considered. Also 1932-34 Ford cars and trucks, parts and pieces, too. Any condition. Brandon, 719-250-5721. (519-11-16) OLD POCKET WATCHES – working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209. (87012-16) WANT TO PURCHASE mineral and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. (402-03-16) WANTED: JEEP CJ OR WRANGLER. Reasonably priced. No rust buckets. 888-735-5337 (099-04-16) WE PAY CASH for minerals and oil/gas interests, producing and nonproducing. 800-733-8122 (09902-16)
FIND HIDDEN TREASURE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS Read through the ads and FIND the CCL classified explaining how to WIN a $25 gift card. It’s easy. You could WIN. The classified ads November winner was Gina Lopez from Towaoc. She correctly counted 35 ads.
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Colorado Country Life really gets around …
[funny stories] When our daughter Elara was 4 years old, we were driving around town looking at Christmas lights. We were pointing out all the lights to her and oohing and awing as we drove past the mall. As we drove past a large, lit-up Christmas wreath above a storefront, we heard from the back seat, “Ooh! Look Mommy and Daddy! A Christmas hole!” Mark Lomax, Denver
e, irley Dur fe Bill and Sh . al re Is in t Monumen
Just before Christmas, a friend of ours broke her leg while cross-country skiing. She had surgery the day after Christmas and was confined to a wheelchair for eight weeks. With limited mobility, she was homebound for a month. After receiving her doctor’s permission, she and her husband drove to Eagle to visit their daughter and grandchildren. Upon arrival, her 5-year-old grandson looked at her wheelchair and said, “I like your stroller, Nana!” Charlotte Boylan, Grand Junction
, Jean Barak David and ya Ken Peyton, in
Jean Foran, Calhan in Vermont. John Weninger took his copy of Colorado Country Life to New Orleans to the Cafe Du Monde.
Several years ago I was working at our local big box store at Christmas time. To help parents get a little kid-free shopping in, I set up a table at the front of the store and stocked it with coloring books, crayons, paper and pencils. I watched the kids while their parents shopped and the kids promised to stay put until their parent came back to get them. Soon I had a group of kids happily drawing and coloring. One particular young boy was intently staring at me. I guessed that he was admiring my pretty hairdo, makeup, jewelry and nice outfit. He finally looked me straight in the eye and asked, “When you were little, were you a girl?” I just couldn’t stop laughing because I thought I looked really girly. What a blow to my ego! Art Linkletter was right when he said, “Kids say the darnedest things.” Anita Hermosillo, Durango
Grandson: “Grandma, why did you leave your face in the water so long?” Me: “I didn’t. Why?” Grandson: “Well, your face is all wrinkled like my fingers when I leave them in the water for too long.”
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 and address to info@ coloradocountrylife.org. We’ll draw one photo to win a $25 gift card each month. The next deadline is Friday, December 18. This month’s winner is John Weninger from Granby. He and his wife, Cathy were visiting New Orleans and took the magazine with them.
coloradocountrylife.coop
Denise Carver, Cortez 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. The year’s winner is Leonardo Hoffschneider from Pagosa Springs. Send your 2016 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.
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[discoveries]
Get Cha-cozy
COVER YOUR CORD Light your holidays outdoors without the risk of electrical shock with the Cord Dome. Because the Cord Dome is designed to keep wetness from creeping in to wiring, you can confidently plug in multiple products and simply leave the gadget to do its work. In addition, the Cord Dome is UV resistant and comes with ground spikes so you can secure it tightly to the ground. Buy your Cord Dome at local retail and big-box stores. Prices range from $20 to $30. For more information, visit twistandseal.com.
Tailgating, hunting, fishing, attending sports games: We love our outdoor activities. But even with all the blankets, beanies and gloves we cover ourselves in, it’s tough to keep warm in the colder months. Chaheati’s All-Season Chair is a terrific solution to keeping your backside toasty no matter the temperature. The Chaheati All-Season Chair is cordless and comes with four temperature settings, so you can adjust the heat to your satisfaction. It folds up for easy storage and comes with a rechargeable battery and an armrest cup holder and is also water and fire resistant. Already attached to your outdoor chair? Opt for the Chaheati Heated AddOn. Simply fit the accessory on your chair and get the same results. The Chaheati All-Season Chair retail price is $109.99; the Chaheati Heated Add-On costs $99.99. Available at sports retail stores and at chaheati.com.
Dome. win a Cord ur chance to number ne o ph Enter for yo address and e, m na Be sure ur Send yo trylife.org. loradocoun co @ ts line. We t es ec nt bj to co e” in the su m o D rd o st in ember 9, ju to include “C ner on Dec in w e th e will choos ors. your outdo time to light
The Backpack that Packs a PUNCH While the 1 Voice Mapmaker FYL Backpack is beautiful in design, its function takes center stage. Designed with a built-in charger, your smartphone and other portable devices will remain powered throughout the day. And when the charger runs out of juice, simply recharge. The Mapmaker also includes padded compartments to keep your devices safe and secure while you’re on the go. The Mapmaker FYL Backpack costs $159 and is available at 1voicenyc.com.
See how it works: youtube.com/watch?v=lThYhvs4USc
Sprightly, Sightly SolarPuff A SolarPuff adds the charm and elegance you desire for your lighting needs. The eyecatching, origami-style light is solar powered and gracefully illuminates indoor and outdoor spaces. Simply charge the light in the sunshine for five to eight hours and enjoy eight to 12 hours of beautiful incandescence. The SolarPuff fabric is also water resistant, lightweight, flexible and recyclable. The SolarPuff costs $30 and is available at solight-design.com. Check out this heartwarming video of the SolarPuff lighting Haiti and Nepal: youtube.com/ watch?v=dKDJ9RkwPfw. 30
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Enter CCL’s Photo Contest • Enter CCL’s Photo Contest
Enter
Colorado Country Life’s
ENTER TO WIN!
Photo Contest 1. SPRING
2. SUMMER
3. FALL
4. WINTER
1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place $150
EACH CATEGORY
Rules: Please follow all guidelines carefully. All
photos and files become the property of Colorado Country Life and will not be returned. Winners will be published in the April 2016 magazine.
1. E ach photo must be accompanied by the entry form (right). It must be signed. Do not paperclip to photo.
$75
$50
EACH CATEGORY
COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE PHOTO CONTEST ENTRY FORM
Title for entry (to appear if published)
2. Do not write any information on front or back of photo.
Name Phone
3. M aximum number of entries per photographer per category: 2
Address
4. Photographers may win no more than one first place prize. 5. Digital entries may be submitted to info@coloradocountry life.org with the form on the right scanned and signed. Digital entries must be at least 8- by 10-inches in size and at least 300 dpi. 6. Printed entries must be at least 8- by 10-inches and printed on glossy paper. Send printed entries to: Colorado Country Life, Photo Contest, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216. Remember to include a signed entry form with each photo to be eligible. 7. P hotos printed on home printers will not be accepted. 8. Photos must be received by 5 p.m., January 4, 2016. coloradocountrylife.coop
EACH CATEGORY
City
State ZIP
Electric co-op you are a member of Email Please check the season your photo was taken ❏ Spring
❏ Summer
❏ Fall
❏ Winter
By submitting this photo, I am giving Colorado Country Life permission to use the submitted photo in the magazine and/or on its social media sites.
Signature
Date DECEMBER 2015
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[discoveries]
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OCTOBER 2014
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