IMPROVE YOUR ATTIC EFFICIENCY PG 6 / DESSERTS WITH HALF THE SUGAR PG 12 / HELPING AFTER DISASTER STIKES PG 20
DECEMBER 2020
MAKE-A-WISH COLORADO
Generosity isn’t just for the holidays At Tri-State, supporting our members and their communities is what we do. We tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow together – that’s the cooperative difference. From our family to yours, stay safe and happy holidays. Find these stories and more at www.tristate.coop.
Tri-State is a not-for-profi t power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Volume 51
Number 12
December 2020 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION 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 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 2020, Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights. 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. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216
DECEMBER 2020
MAKE-A-WISH COLORADO
“Full Steam Ahead” by Michael McCaffrey, a consumer-member of Y-W Electric Association.
4 VIEWPOINT
5 LETTERS
6 ASK THE ENERGY EXPERT
7 YOUR CO-OP NEWS
12 RECIPES
14 NEWS CLIPS
16 COVER STORY
20 INDUSTRY 22 GARDENING
24 OUTDOORS 26 MARKETPLACE
28 COMMUNITY EVENTS
On the
29 YOUR STORIES
Cover
30 DISCOVERIES
coloradocountrylife.coop
COCountryLife pinned: Heat up the oven and try Jennifer Tyler Lee and Anisha Patel’s Salted MapleDate Caramel Molten Chocolate Cakes. These sweet indulgences are low in sugar and a great festive dessert.
GRANTING WISHES
Colorado Make-A-Wish kid Zack Montgomery enjoys the horses he dreamed about. Photo by John Russell.
PINTEREST SNEAK PEEK
FACEBOOK CHATTER Colorado Rural Electric Association posted: After a long week of long days, great progress has been made on restoring the damage done to Mountain Parks Electric’s system by the East Troublesome Fire, which is yet to be fully contained. Mutual aid crews from other Colorado electric co-ops will be heading home as MPE continues the restoration progress.
Monthly Contest Win and support a local business This month enter for your chance to win a $100 gift card or certificate to the local business/restaurant o f yo u r c h o o s i n g . Go to Contests at coloradocountrylife.coop to learn how to enter.
INSTAGRAM PIC of the month cocountrylife posted: Sick of Netflix? Read a great book by a Colorado author! Visit our website and read the reviews: coloradocountrylife.coop. COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
3
VIEWPOINT
TEEING UP BETTER DAYS AHEAD Putting a plan in place to make my “mulligan” count BY KENT SINGER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I
f you, a friend or family member is a golfer, then you are probably familiar with the term “mulligan.” A mulligan is essentially what kids call a “do-over.” For example, if you hit a terrible tee shot and the ball goes sailing into a pond (hypothetically, of course, since this is not something I have ever experienced), you tee up another ball and try again. As far as I’m concerned, we should consider the entire year of 2020 a mulligan. I mean, come on, who could have predicted a year where we endured a pandemic, a shutdown of the economy, unprecedented wildfires, weeks of social unrest and all of this topped off by a lengthy and brutal election? Now, I’m sure lots of good things have happened in 2020: Families celebrated new additions, couples exchanged vows, people got new jobs or made new friends. Thank goodness for all of those blessings. But for many Coloradans and Americans, 2020 has been a year of separation, heartache and uncertainty; the new year can’t come soon enough. And while it looks like we’ll be dealing with the pandemic for months
to come, at least there are promising treatments and vaccines on the horizon to give us hope that life will gradually get back to normal next year. So, what are you going to do with your mulligan? In golf, mulligans are typically limited to one per round, so you have to make the most of the next shot. That means you better make a plan for your 2021 mulligan year. Here’s my 10-step “2021 Mulligan Action Plan”: • Step 1: See a movie in a theater. • Step 2: Connect more. Connect with family, connect with friends, connect with co-workers, connect with our electric co-op family. I think we’re all connection-deprived; Zoom is great but a poor substitute for a real conversation, much less a hug. • Step 3: Take a deep breath. I pledge to have a much slower middle finger trigger when navigating Denver traffic; we’ll see how long that lasts. • Step 4: Walk the dog more. She deserves it and I need it. • Step 5: Listen more, talk less. There’s a great line in the movie “Pulp
KENT SINGER
Fiction” where Uma Thurman asks John Travolta: “Do you listen, or do you wait to talk?” I hope to listen better in 2021. • Step 6: Learn to bake sourdough bread. • Step 7: Quit eating bread and go on a low-carb diet. • Step 8: Finally write that novel about a pandemic that threatens humanity. (It’ll never get published; the plot’s implausible.) • Step 9: Pull out the trumpet and get the chops back in shape. • Step 10: Thank everyone I work with at the Colorado Rural Electric Association for a job well done in 2020. Perhaps my Mulligan Action Plan is not all that ambitious, but I think it’s realistic. No doubt your plan is better, so if you’re inclined to share, please drop us a line and let us know what you plan to do in 2021 to help recover from the train wreck that was 2020. I guess you could call these resolutions; I prefer the Mulligan Action Plan. When I was a kid, my mom would fix ham hocks and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the coming of the new year; she said it would bring good luck. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m leaving nothing to chance. Honey, warm up the Crock-Pot®. So long, 2020. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Kent Singer is the executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association and offers a statewide perspective on issues affecting electric cooperatives. CREA is the trade association for your electric co-op, the 21 other electric co-ops in Colorado and its power supply co-op.
4
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
LETTERS
FROM THE EDITOR It’s a time for giving
BY MONA NEELEY
L
EDITOR
ast night I finished packing a few shoe boxes full of soaps, toothbrushes, school supplies and toys. The boxes, now wrapped in red and green Christmas paper, will be sent to kids in other countries via Operation Christmas Child, a program of Samaritan’s Purse. Often these boxes are the first gifts that the children have ever received. The kids, selected through local church programs, are in orphanages, living in refugee camps or growing up in povertyor war-stricken areas. They are kids who have had to grow up too fast and have so little. It breaks my heart. My kids lived their first months in an orphanage half a world away. If my husband and I hadn’t adopted them, they could have been among kids receiving similar shoe boxes. So, each year we pack shoe boxes for orphans and others less fortunate. It’s our way of giving during the holidays.
It’s certainly not the only way MONA NEELEY to give. You’ll find other possibilities in the following pages. The cover story reminds us of the kids here, close to home, who are facing their own difficulties that are lightened by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Find out how to support that organization on page 19. And there are fellow Coloradans and communities who were affected so much in the recent wildfires. Find out how to help them on page 13. Find the need that speaks to you and give — of yourself and your funds, if you are able — this holiday season. 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.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Carousel of Memories
My great-grandfather, R.T. Dowis, bought a C.W. Parker Baby Q carousel in 1908. From his base in Sterling he traveled throughout Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and South Dakota and purchased more rides and built a nice carnival. The horse shown in July’s Letters column is called Star Gazer. We had one on our ride. I set up that carousel hundreds of times and painted the horses every winter as a kid. That carousel was steam (driven) and used until my father sold the carnival in 1969. It is possible that the Star Gazer in your magazine is the one from our carousel. Victor Wisdom, Sterling Highline Electric consumer-member
When R.T. Dowis’ carousel was on the Pine Ridge Reservation, its Star Gazer was featured on the August 1942 cover of Collier’s magazine.
Just Say No to RTO
Earlier this year, Kent Singer laid out the case for why Colorado should cede authority of its electric power grid to a regional transmission operator, or RTO. AARP respectfully disagrees. RTOs are a 1990s idea never adopted in the West nor the Southeast. Recent developments underscore that they are not needed in Colorado. RTOs promote costly transmission development socialized over a multistate footprint. This promotes an overreliance on costly transmission development when local solutions like solar and energy efficiency would be cheaper. Kellie Fritts, AARP Colorado
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.
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
5
ASK THE ENERGY EXPERT
Three Steps to an Efficient Attic BY PAT KEEGAN AND BR AD THIESSEN
A Just For
9
$
in-state
KNOW SOMEONE WITH MORE TIME ON THEIR HANDS OR LOOKING TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW?
Give them a subscription to Colorado Country Life. For 12-months they will discover new places and products from right here in Colorado. ORDER a 12-month subscription today. It’s just $9 for instate, or $15 for outof-state. JUNE 2020
To order, call Colorado Country Life at 303-455-4111.
6
Stay in & Stre am YouTubers Chann el
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
Colorado
ttention to your attic is often the area of your home where you can get the most bang for your buck on energy efficiency investments. Insulation is actually just one part of the energy-efficient attic puzzle. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare to make your attic more efficient.
done by installing soffit vents and insulation baffles around the perimeter, plus vents near the peak of the roof. If there is no way to install enough attic ventilators, an attic fan can be installed to provide mechanical assistance to exhaust overheated air.
Step 1: Sealing
The three main types of insulation for attics are loose-fill, batt and rigid. Whichever type you have, it needs to provide a high-enough level of insulation for your region, measured in R-value. Batt and rigid insulation will often have the R-value printed on them. Loose-fill, which is blown in, is the most common for attic floors, and its R-value is approximately its depth in inches multiplied by 2.8. Generally speaking, your attic should have anywhere from 11 to 24 inches of loose-fill insulation, depending on where you live. You can find the recommended level for your region at Energy.gov.
Attics are often the place where warm air leaks out of the home in winter or into the home during summer. Trouble spots include anything that comes through the attic floor, such as recessed lights, the chimney and the attic hatch, as well as pipes and ducts or wires coming through the attic floor. It’s best to properly seal these trouble spots before adding or improving the insulation. Invest a small amount of money in the necessary supplies, such as caulk, expanding foam or weather stripping, to seal any air leaks in your attic.
Step 2: Ventilation Many attics are not well-ventilated, which allows moisture and heat to build up. Moisture causes harmful mold and wood rot. During the summer, a poorly ventilated attic is prone to overheating, which can bake shingles and shorten their life. During the winter, a warm attic can melt snow on the roof, causing it to run into your gutters and then freeze, causing ice dams. Proper attic ventilation lets air flow from a low point to a high point. This is usually
Step 3: Insulation
This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative Efficiency. For more information on ensuring an energy-efficient attic, please visit collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips.
LEARN MORE ONLINE Visit coloradocountrylife.coop to learn more about ways to improve the efficiency of your home. Look under the Energy tab.
Finding a Way to Give Back
YOUR CO-OP NEWS
BY ALAN MICHALEWICZ
WHITE RIVER
ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION DECEMBER 2020
MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 958 Meeker, CO 81641-0958 STREET ADDRESS 233 6th Street Meeker, CO 81641
ph 970-878-5041 tf 800-734-9809 fax 970-878-5766 email amich@wrea.org web www.wrea.org facebook.com/wrea.org White River Electric Association, Inc., strives to provide its memberconsumers with safe, reliable and responsible electric energy and other services at the most reasonable costs possible while remaining committed to customer and community service.
GENER AL MANAGER
W
ith the holiday season upon us and the new year just around the corner, I can’t help but reflect on the gratitude I feel for being able to live here. I think most will agree this has been a year like no other — certainly in my lifetime — and while we’ve seen our share of challenges, I am heartened by the ways in which we have all pulled together to weather this storm. In keeping with tradition, Meeker residents are preparing for the upcoming holiday season in hopes that brighter days are ahead. Each year, we have the opportunity to participate in the Giving Tree program, which allows us to help fill the void for children whose parents might not be able to provide Christmas gifts for their families. If you swing into Meeker Drugs each November, you’ll be met by a Christmas tree filled with “adoptable ornaments.” Those ornaments detail the wish list for underprivileged children whose parents are allowing us to help in trying times. I’m witness to White River Electric Association staff and board of directors who anonymously contribute to the program, by pooling their money so they can adopt multiple ornaments each year. In a true “small-town spirit” we recognize that, just as our consumer-members support us, we must offer support back, and we are honored to do so. I’m grateful for a staff and board that generously share their good fortune. But giving doesn’t always have to come from the pocketbook. In a year where budget cuts have been brought front and center, we’ve all been forced to re-evaluate our priorities and determine how we can give back without breaking the bank. Consider volunteerism. Volunteerism is the gift that keeps on giving. While it’s difficult to quantify the
ALAN J. MICHALEWICZ
impact volunteers have, I do know they make a tremendous difference in our community and make our corner of the world a better place to live and visit. Many organizations depend on volunteers to fulfill their mission. The Meeker Classic, Range Call and HopeWest all rely on volunteers to help meet their goals and to enrich our community. We rely on these organizations to stimulate our local economy, shed a bright light on our history and tradition and provide care and compassion to those who are facing end of life. Our local volunteers must not be undervalued and they make an impact on every organization they serve. Because we are a co-op, volunteerism and giving back are a part of who we are and we feel fortunate that it’s mirrored in so many of our employees — not by force, but by choice. Throughout the year, many of our co-op staff serve on local boards, volunteer for search and rescue, coach youth sports and participate in events to better serve our local youth. This volunteerism comes from a place of gratitude and is an investment in Meeker and its citizens. I am proud of the work they do — on and off the time clock. As we flip our calendars to 2021, it’s not likely that our struggles will magically disappear. We will need to work toward brighter days for our nation, our state and our community. In the meantime, White River Electric will continue to focus on how to best serve its consumer-members and encourage its employees so that we can all continue to give back. On behalf of all of us at White River Electric, merry Christmas and happy New Year.
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
7
YOUR CO-OP NEWS
HIT THE ROAD SAFELY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
T
he winter holiday season is a busy time of year for many of us. Along with putting out decorations and baking cookies, we often spend more time in our cars than usual: shopping for presents, traveling to family gatherings or attending holiday events. However, all that time in the car can also mean facing extreme weather conditions that make safe driving difficult. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, winter weather conditions,
debris that could be hiding one. There is no way to tell if a power line is energized, even if it is not sparking or buzzing. • Do not exit the vehicle unless the vehicle is on fire or you see smoke. The vehicle acts as an insulator that keeps you safe from stray electricity. • If you must exit the vehicle, cross your arms across your chest, put your feet together, and make a
such as snow, sleet and slush, cause more than 550,000 traffic accidents each year, leading to approximately 138,000 injuries and 1,700 fatalities. Along with risk of injury and damage to your vehicle, collisions may also involve downed power lines or other electrical hazards. Unfortunately, when this happens, it adds another very significant danger to the mix that can cause severe shock, burns or electrocution. Knowing what to do in this situation can save lives. If you are in an accident involving a downed power line: • Call 911 and tell the dispatcher a downed power line or other electrical equipment is involved. Power company personnel will be dispatched to the scene to deenergize the power. • Put your window down and alert others not to approach the scene. They could be shocked or electro-
clean jump from the vehicle. Then hop with feet together as far as you can, but at least 50 feet away. Once a power line is in contact with a car or truck, the ground or other objects, it energizes the area. The electrical current spreads to the vehicle and ground, and it ripples out. Each “ring” of the ripple represents a different voltage. Stepping from one voltage to the next can cause your body to become a path for electricity and electrocute you. • If a power line is inside the vehicle due to damage or an open window, stay in the vehicle. Do not touch or try to move the wire, and do not attempt to use other objects to move it. • If your vehicle collides with a pad-mounted transformer, which
cuted if they walk or run over the energized area or touch anything that is energized. • Never attempt to drive over a power line or through water, snow or other
houses electrical equipment connected to underground power lines, the same safety precautions apply. Keep your family safe while on the road this holiday season. For more information about safety around electricity, visit SafeElectricity.org.
Happy holidays from White River Electric Association. 8
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
YOUR CO-OP NEWS
Plug into Presents that Pay Off with Year-Round Safety BY DERRILL HOLLY
D
uring the holiday season, many of us turn our attention to gift giving, and while the shiny, trendy and pricey may make a big splash when the unwrapping’s done, practical gifts can leave lasting impressions. What’s more, they can make a difference by enhancing safety and improving security. Here are a few practical gift ideas that can make a difference in reducing safety risks year-round. Smoke detectors. Most of us have at least one in our home, but experts say that’s not enough. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that a working smoke detector be installed in every bedroom, on every level of a home and in hallways outside of sleeping areas. And if smoke detectors are more than 10 years old, they should be replaced. Carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas created by incomplete consumption of fuels like gasoline, wood, natural gas, propane, oil, coal or methane. The gas is highly toxic, so having CO detectors outside of sleeping areas and on every level of a home improves overall safety. Local fire departments in the United States respond to about 80,000 CO incidents each year. The National Fire Protection Association also recommends that fuel-burning heating equipment and cooking appliances be professionally inspected once per year to reduce the risks of malfunction and detect structural problems early. Extension cords. They are: • Not all created equal • Subject to wear • Subject to specific use guidelines • Never recommended for permanent use Brittle and cracked plastic can indicate heat damage, and exposed wires or frayed connections increase risks of shocks, shorts or fires. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an extension cord that’s warm or hot to the touch is a good indication that it’s not designed to safely do the job. Consider giving an assortment of extension cords designed for indoor or outdoor use and, before you buy, look for the label of a nationally recognized testing laboratory like Underwriters Laboratories, CSA International or Intertek. Arc fault circuit interrupters. Arcing and sparking are among indications that a home’s electrical wiring needs service. Arc fault circuit interrupters help address electrical fire hazards before they
A smoke detector is a gift that keeps on giving.
occur. Properly installed by a licensed electrician, AFCIs can often replace circuit breakers in an existing electrical panel box. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that the work be completed by a qualified electrician because the installation involves working inside the electrical panel box, which carries current even when main circuit breakers are turned off. Ground fault circuit interrupters. While AFCIs are designed to help prevent electrical fire hazards, ground fault circuit interrupters are designed to help prevent shocks. Older homes may have just one, typically in an area where electric outlets are relatively close to a water source. But over the years, the National Electrical Code has been amended to require their use for outdoor outlets and in attics, crawl spaces, bathrooms, garages and kitchens, and near laundry or utility sinks and around wet bars. GFCI outlets should be tested regularly, and that means as often as once a month. Although they can last 15 to 25 years, some will malfunction in five years or less. While they can continue to carry current, once they lose their ability to mitigate shocks by immediately closing off current, they should be replaced. A licensed electrician can do the job quickly and professionally. Any of these gift ideas will offer peace of mind for the giver and the receiver, and they’ll reduce risks throughout the holidays and improve safety for years to come. Derrill Holly writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
9
YOUR CO-OP NEWS
Exploring the Different Types of Electric Cars
E
lectric cars offer many benefits to both their owners and the environment. Driving an electric car emits 54% fewer carbon dioxide emissions per mile than the average new gasoline car. Moreover, the cost of “fueling” an electric vehicle averages $1.20 per gallon, which is much less than the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline ($2.21 in September 2020; see "egallon” calculator at Energy.gov). The electric car movement is gaining speed. With more than 1.5 million electric cars currently operating in the United States, electric car sales are forecasted to surpass 3.5 million per year by 2030. Not all electric cars operate the same way. Four main types of electric cars exist on the roads today. • Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have been on the market the longest. HEVs include a small battery pack that is not charged by plugging in, but rather the batteries in hybrids are charged by the internal combustion engine and/or the braking process. HEVs function as battery-assisted vehicles and are not powered solely by batteries at any given time. Many modern HEVs get an estimated 50 mpg for both city and highway. • Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) do not rely on any gasoline to power the vehicle and have zero tailpipe emissions. BEV operators simply plug their vehicles into their home electric grid or a public charging station to charge. BEVs also generate electricity from braking, similar to HEVs, and use this as a secondary energy source. Unfortunately, BEVs are somewhat limited in how far they can drive on a single charge. Most BEVs have all-electric ranges of 80 to 100 miles, while a few have ranges up to 250 miles. On longer road trips, these gas-free vehicles rely on the availability of charging stations to continue the trip, which are sometimes difficult to find. Depending on the model, it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to recharge a vehicle, much longer than the average stop at a gas station. • Plug-in hybrid EVs run on both battery power and gasoline, and have much smaller battery packs than BEVs. The all-battery range in these vehicles is typically between five and 30 miles, and then the internal combustion engine is responsible for anything beyond that. Plug-in hybrids effectively reduce operator emissions for short trips around town; longer trips are powered by gasoline.
10
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
• Range extender hybrid EVs (REHs) function the same as plug-in hybrids but have higher battery ranges due to design differences. Examples include the BMWi3 and the discontinued Chevrolet Volt. Some REHs drive more than 50 miles on a single charge. In addition to battery power, they also feature a traditional internal combustion engine, with some models making more than 40 miles per gallon once the battery is drained. It is worth noting that EV battery ranges can vary depending on weather conditions. For example, cars have to work harder to run in colder temperatures and using the defrost or heat is more likely to decrease range. Also, at-home charging times depend on how you charge at home — 120 volts versus 240 volts. These are caveats you will want to consider when shopping for an electric car. EVs are not for everyone, but the electric car industry does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. With technology constantly improving, vehicle manufacturers plan to debut electric pickup trucks in 2021 and many cities are moving toward electric public transportation.
Advertisement
Advanced Technology Allows Macular Degeneration Patients To See Again And Allows Many Low Vision Patients To Drive Again While there is currently no cure, promising research is being done on many fronts. everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning,” says Dr. Stamm, “Even if it’s driving.” A scene as it might be viewed by a person with age-related macular degeneration
For many patients with macular degeneration and other visionrelated conditions, the loss of central visual detail also signals the end to one of the last bastions of independence driving. Colorado optometrist, Dr. Robert Stamm is using miniaturized telescopes which are mounted in glasses to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration and other eye conditions. “Some of my patients consider me their last chance for people who have vision loss,” said Dr. Stamm, one of only a few doctors in the world who specializes in fitting bioptic
Same scene of rancher as viewed by a person without macular degeneration
telescopes to help those who have lost vision due to macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. Imagine a pair of glasses that can improve your vision enough to change your life. Bioptic telescopes may be the breakthrough in optical technology that will give you back your independence. Patients with vision in the 20/200 range can many times be improved to 20/50. Bioptic telescopes treat both dry and wet forms of macular degeneration as well as other vision limiting conditions.
bioptic telescope is that the lens automatically focuses on whatever you’re looking at,” said Dr. Stamm. “It’s like a self-focusing camera, but much more precise.”
For more information and to schedule an appointment today, call:
Robert Stamm, O.D. Low Vision Optometrist Member IALVS Offices Throughout South Dakota, Colorado and Nebraska
Toll Free:
(877) 393-0025
www.LowVisionofColorado.com COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
11
RECIPES
DON’T DO WITHOUT DESSERT
Get all the satisfaction with a little subtraction BY AMY HIGGINS
| RECIPES@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
WIN A COPY
M
any Americans would agree that some of the best dishes are derived from the holidays. But when the new year approaches, our growing waistlines and blood sugar levels are a concern. However, perpetually dismissing dessert doesn’t bring comfort and joy, so cut down on the sugar instead. Half the Sugar, All the Love by Jennifer Tyler Lee and Anisha Patel, M.D., MSPH, features 100 low-sugar recipes that can cut down the guilt and elevate the merriment. This “kid-tested, doctor-approved” cookbook not only features festive desserts, but it also includes an array of awesome main courses, snacks and beverages. But we digress — let’s skip to dessert first with this low-sugar front-runner:
Enter our contest to win a copy of the Half the Sugar, All The Love cookbook. Visit Contests at coloradocountrylife.coop for details on how to enter. Excerpted from Half the Sugar, All the Love by Jennifer Tyler Lee and Anisha Patel, M.D., MSPH. Photographs by Erin Scott. Workman Publishing ©2019.
Caramelized Pumpkin Pie
SUGAR COMPARISON
1 prepared (8-inch) pie crust, blind baked (baked unfilled)
Half the Sugar = 2 teaspoons Other recipes = 4 3/4 teaspoons
Serves 8
23 ounces canned pumpkin puree (about 2 3/4 cups) 1/3 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup low-fat milk or almond milk 3 3/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice* 2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk, gently whisked whipped cream, for serving (optional) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If you’re looking for Line the pie crust with a round another great dessert to of parchment paper (cut to the serve this holiday season, diameter of the pan), then fill it with try Pecan Pie Bars. pie weights or dry rice. Bake for 15 Get the recipe at minutes, then lift out the parchment coloradocountrylife.coop. and weights/rice and prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Return the crust to the oven and continue baking until it is golden brown; about 5 minutes longer. Cool completely.
Combine the pumpkin puree with the maple syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until slightly darkened and caramelized; 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool completely. Add the milk, pumpkin pie spice*, vanilla, salt and egg mixture and stir until well combined. Pour into the pie crust and smooth into an even layer. Bake until the top is slightly browned and the filling is set throughout; about 50 minutes.
QUICK TIP STORE-BOUGHT SHELLS Use a store-bought pastry crust to cut down on time. Choose one with no added sugar if possible.
12
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
Let the pie cool completely before slicing. Serve with whipped cream, if you like. *If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you can create a substitute by combining 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or ground allspice.
Wildfire Relief Fund COLORADO ELECTRIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE
TRIPLE YOUR DONATION TODAY
HELP COLORADO ELECTRIC CO-OP COMMUNITIES THAT BATTLED WILDFIRES THIS YEAR! The Colorado Electric Educational Institute (CEEI) will match your donation up to $50,000, and Tri-State G&T will match donations up to $50,000, too! That means a $25 donation now becomes $75. 100% of contributions to the Wildfire Relief Fund will go to support electric co-op employees or directors who lost their homes or were displaced because of a wildfire, to first responders who lost their home in a fire and to local organizations who responded to the fires.
YOUR DONATION IS TAX EXEMPT AND CAN BE MADE ONLINE OR BY CHECK: crea.coop/community-outreach/current-causes Checks should be made payable to the Colorado Electric Educational Institute and sent to: Colorado Electric Educational Institute c/o Wildfire Relief Fund 5400 Washington Street Denver, CO 80216
SCAN & DONATE NOW CEEI is the philanthropic arm of CREA, the trade association representing Colorado’s 22 electric distribution systems and Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association. Tri-State G&T is the power supplier to 17 of Colorado’s co-ops, and serves 41 distribution cooperative members in four states.
NEWS CLIPS
Thinking Inside the Box
New farming option in NW Colorado
A
n innovative collaboration among electric co-op power supplier Tri-State Generation and Transmission, the national Electric Power Research Institute, and Moffat County School District provided northwestern Colorado high school students and faculty an opportunity to learn as they grow crops indoors and year-round with EPRI’s “Farm in a Box.” This cutting-edge indoor agriculture facility, installed at Moffat County High School in Craig, is a 40-foot long shipping container now known as the Agricultural Farm. Flat screen-type surfaces hang from the ceiling
CCL EXTRA
Brings More Colorado Stories, Recipes Want a preview of stories coming in next month’s Colorado Country Life magazine? Interested in additional recipes? Looking for a quick link to extra stories and more on the magazine’s website? There’s no cost to subscribe to CCL Extra. Simply visit coloradocountrylife. coop and click on the top banner to fill out the form. Or use your smartphone and hold your camera up to the QR code below. We’ll add you to the list, and twice a month you will receive an e-newsletter filled with previews of what’s coming and links to all the current month’s stories, as well as the extra digital articles.
Sign Up Today! 14
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
of the container in polymer “pods.” The container is temperature-controlled, with energy-efficient lighting and plumbing infrastructure to support the production of vegetables. The Farm in a Box will offer educational opportunities for Moffat County High School students and research data for EPRI. EPRI staff will monitor the container for the first two years to evaluate different metrics, such as nutrient quality of the produce, community impacts, sustainability performance and electricity load profiles.
Inside the Farm in a Box are hanging flat surfaces of polymer pods that allow vegetables to grow with their roots inside the pods. Tri-State Generation and Transmission is sponsoring the Ag Farm as it reinvests in the community where it is closing a power plant and a mine.
The box represents a convergence of energy, agriculture, biodiversity and sustainability.
First Team Completes Tests of CO2 Emissions Conversion
I
nnovatively converting carbon dioxide emissions into useful and viable materials is the goal of the Carbon XPRIZE. The international contest took a step forward in late October when one competing team finished its project. Teams from around the world are competing for the $20 million XPRIZE based on how much CO2 they convert, how energy efficient the conversion is and the net value of their products. XPRIZE teams test their emissions projects at the Integrated Test Center, located at Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Dry Fork Station north of Gillette, Wyoming. The ITC is a carbon utilization research facility that operates alongside the power plant. It’s a private-public partnership with supporters such as Colorado-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, which committed $5 million to the design, engineering and construction of the ITC. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association provided $1 million in support of the ITC. Interest is high since the greenhouse gas CO2 is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants and other manufacturing processes. Capturing the CO2 and converting it to a useful product would mean less CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. Due to coronavirus constraints, the XPRIZE competition was delayed and only two teams made it to the ITC this year. CO2Concrete™, based in California, tested its technologies to convert carbon dioxide emissions into construction materials and was the first team to finish the project after successfully completing 12 operation runs. The other team to test onsite was Dimensional Energy from New York, which focuses on making jet fuel from carbon emissions and sunlight. The Carbon XPRIZE winners will be announced in 2021.
NEWS CLIPS
Electricity from Coal
Down Thanks to COVID-19, Renewables The United States’ electric power sector consumed less coal in the first half of 2020 than it did during the same period in 2019, according to the Energy Information Administration. From January to July, 184.8 million short tons of coal were used, which is 30% less than was used the year before. This drop was brought about by a drop in usage because of pandemic lockdowns and business closures, as well as changes in the electric industry. After an annual record of 1,045 million short tons of coal being consumed in 2007, usage has declined. Most of this is due to coal plant retirements, such as Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association’s closure of the Nucla power plant this year, as well as air standards, price drops and power plant conversions to natural gas. Usage is expected to show a slight rebound during the last six months of 2020 as some pandemic restrictions were loosened and some businesses were able to reopen.
CREA Continues Promoting Energy Innovation Due to COVID-19, there was no annual Colorado Rural Electric Association Energy Innovations Summit in its traditional sense. However, the electric co-op trade association hosted several webinars for the usual Summit audience, which gave those in the energy industry opportunities to hear about and discuss innovative ideas. Topics included electric vehicles, advances in energy storage, power market options, heat pumps and beneficial electrification, and more. All of the webinars were recorded and can be accessed at crea.coop/webinars. COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
15
Make-A-Wish Colorado turns little dreams into big reality year-round 16
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
COVER STORY
BY MATT VINCENT
A
little boy has dreamt of horses for more than two years. Big horses, little horses, anything associated with horses, and the equine world has helped him focus on good things while distracting him from stuff that little boys should never have to think about. Stuff like cancer. That was the cold, hard reality facing Zack Montgomery and his parents, Nicole and Mike, in the days leading up to the Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs in 2018. Rather than focusing on the excitement of skiing, sledding and other festivities of this annual wintertime celebration in Yampa Valley Electric’s service territory, something else was happening. Something foreboding and sinister. Zack awoke one morning with a pain in his leg. He told his parents that it really hurt. Several days later he awoke to a different pain. His side hurt. Increasingly concerned, Nicole and Mike took their then 4-year-old son to their pediatrician for tests where it was determined that Zack had abnormal fluid around one kidney. The pediatrician recommended they immediately take Zack to Children’s Hospital Colorado on the Colorado Front Range for additional tests. And it was there, at this world-renowned medical facility, that doctors discovered a mass on one of Zack’s kidneys. Nine days later a team of physicians removed a cancerous hematoma, along with roughly 40% of the surrounding kidney tissue. And to make sure the cancer would not return, 22 weeks of chemotherapy was recommended. Month after month the family traveled the long stretch of road between Steamboat Springs and the Denver metro area in what must have seemed like an endless nightmare of visits to the Anschutz Medical Campus and Children’s Hospital in Aurora. Yet throughout the grueling ordeal, Zack thought of horses — and his Labrador
Zack Montgomery sits in his happy place on the on the back of a horse.
The Montgomery family: Nicole, Zack, Skylar and Mike of Steamboat Springs.
retriever, Jake, and any soft, furry animal that took his mind off the chemotherapy and instead to a happier place. On his 5th birthday, despite the painful side effects of chemotherapy, Mike and Nicole arranged a horseback ride for Zack near their hometown of Steamboat. And Zack’s interest in horses quickly became a full-blown obsession, according to Nicole. “We had to find a way to keep horseback riding in his life.” Enter Make-A-Wish Colorado, a nonprofit organization founded on the hopes and dreams of children with critical illnesses. Earlier this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Zack and his family were granted what seemed like an impossible dream, considering all they had gone through and the debilitating financial pressures involved in expensive medical treatments.
Given his infatuation with horses, animals in general, as well as the great outdoors, Zack and his family were given a dream vacation on the Latigo Ranch, a fivestar dude and guest ranch near the foot of the Gore Range outside of Kremmling in Mountain Parks Electric’s service territory.
Together with his sister, Skylar, and his parents, Zack enjoyed some priceless recovery time in the Rocky Mountains, riding his own horse for days, just like he dreamt of doing some day. Owned and operated by Lisa and Randy George and their family, the Latigo Ranch was big medicine for the entire Montgomery family and just what the doctor ordered for Zack. “Every day was special,” Nicole said. “We were each assigned a horse for the week and we had two rides a day. Zack absolutely loved his horse and learned so much. As a family we got to wrangle a herd of cows, try cow penning and just enjoy the outdoors. The kids also got to fish, rock climb and swim. The people were wonderful, the food was COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
17
Zack is all smiles while being surrounded by horses at Latigo Ranch near Kremmling as part of a dream come true provided by Make-AWish Colorado.
Time at Latigo Ranch provided powerful ‘medicine’ for Zack.
Every day was special. We were each assigned a horse for the week and we had two rides a day. Zack absolutely loved his horse and learned so much. As a family we got to wrangle a herd of cows, try cow penning and just enjoy the outdoors. The kids also got to fish, rock climb and swim. The people were wonderful, the food was incredible and the surroundings stunning.” — Nicole Montgomery, Zack’s mother
18
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
Zack learns to care for his horse during his family’s stay at Latigo Ranch.
incredible and the surroundings stunning.” Despite the darkest hours, sometimes wishes do come true. And happiness happens. “Zack cried the whole way home, the rest of the day and until he fell asleep,” Nicole said. The blueprint for the Make-A-Wish Foundation began in 1980 in Arizona. Before dying from leukemia, 7-year-old Christopher Greicius was asked what he wanted if he was magically granted one final wish. He said he wanted to become a police officer. When Tommy Austin with U.S. Customs and Border Protection heard about Christopher’s wish, he immediately contacted
the Arizona Department of Public Safety and a small trickle of goodwill became a flood of benevolence and unexpected generosity. Christopher’s last wish was granted by an army of volunteers and public servants. He rode in a police helicopter, was presented with his own police uniform and was sworn in as an honorary Arizona highway patrolman. And from those humble beginnings, a nonprofit organization was created that has since grown to 62 chapters across the United States with 47 affiliated charities worldwide. Along the way more than 330,000 wishes have been granted to children ages 2 to 17. In 1983, Colorado’s chapter was among the first state MakeA-Wish organizations formed. It has granted more than 5,500 wishes statewide, and as everyone involved in this program soon discovers, a child’s dream is powerful medicine — for both the recipients and for the thousands of volunteers who become involved in the gift of giving. “A wish come true helps children feel stronger, more energetic, more willing and able to battle their critical illnesses. For many, the wish marks a turning point in the fight against their illnesses. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals say the wish experience works in concert with medicine to make their patients feel better emotionally and even physically. That is why wishes matter. That is why we grant wishes,” a spokesperson for Make-A-Wish said. That’s not some unfounded, wild-eyed theory. It is scientific fact supported by recent findings in a study that analyzed the comparative health benefits between two separate
COVER STORY groups of children. One group consisted of kids who participated in the Make-AWish program and another group that did not. Those who participated in the MakeA-Wish program benefited both mentally and physically, according to Dr. Anup Patel, a pediatric neurologist with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “There is a return on investment from the (Make-A-Wish) experience,” Patel said. “Not only are you giving a child and a family hope, not only are you giving a child and a family a break from the illness, not only are you giving a child and a family an opportunity to give back to their siblings and to the other loved ones, you’re giving them an opportunity to save health care dollars; you’re giving them an opportunity to spend time with their family where they belong when they’re sick and have an illness. “A wish is more than just a nice thing to do,” he added. “You’re going to help them get better. And now I’m passionate to make sure that every kid out there has that chance.” You would not have to convince Nicole about the intrinsic value of a child’s dream come true. She has seen the benefit of the program firsthand through her son Zack, who turned 6 this year. “To be honest, Zack is doing so well that I don’t like to think of him as sick,” she said. “He is nearing his two-year scans, which is a big milestone for us. The wishes, as I understand them, are not just a pause but
Wishes come in one of three ways:
Wish Kid Zack a way to celebrate being on the other side of treatment; a way to connect and relax as a family while creating memories that will last for Zack, more so than the memories of being sick. “It’s almost like a gift to cherish after the suffering, pain and fear endured by the entire family. It also means so much more coming at this time, during the pandemic, which is obviously another time of such deep stress and worry, when travel is limited and finances are stretched. “It’s an added gift. We feel such appreciation that people make it their life’s work to help families heal, and we plan to pay it forward in any way we can forever,” she said. And the prognosis for Zack? Well, if his periodic CT scans go well for the next five years — and there’s every indication that they will — he will be considered
1
through the medical professionals treating an individual child;
2
by a parent or legal guardian;
3
by children themselves. Referrals for wishes are available online at the Make-A-Wish Colorado website at colorado.wish.org.
cured of this deadly form of pediatric cancer. In the meantime, his family will continue to hope and pray — and Zack will undoubtedly continue to dream of horses. Matt Vincent is a freelance writer and photographer living on the northeastern plains of Colorado and a former editor of ESPN Outdoors.
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
19
INDUSTRY
Helping Hands are Standing By Tradition and pride create effective outage restoration teams BY MONA NEELEY
EDITOR | MNEELEY@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE .ORG
B
eing part of a large network is never more important than when a natural disaster hits an electric cooperative. Take, for example, when the monstrous and destructive East Troublesome Fire swept through Grand County and Mountain Parks Electric’s service territory in October. The 60 employees of the area’s local electric cooperative were not on their own. MPE is a small, local, independent organization that serves Grand and Jackson counties as well as parts of Larimer, Routt and Summit counties in the central mountains of Colorado. But the co-op is not totally on its own when disaster strikes. It is part of a network of electric co-ops that all adhere to the sixth cooperative principle: cooperation among cooperatives. With a call to the Colorado Rural Electric Association, the electric co-ops’ statewide trade association, the word was out that MPE needed assistance. Just a couple days later utility trucks from electric co-ops across the state rolled in to Granby. Crews of lineworkers were there to assist MPE in getting the backbone of its system back on line so that the local crews and hired contractors could then methodically replace and repair individual services and infrastructure. The same thing happened back in June when the derecho made meteorological news as it ripped across Colorado with its thunderstorms and extreme wind gusts. Tens of thousands of Colorado electric co-op consumer-members were without power in territories served by Highline Electric Association in Holyoke, K.C. Electric Association in Hugo, Morgan County Rural Electric Association in Fort Morgan, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association in Fort Collins, Southeast Colorado Power Association in Lamar, United Power in Brighton, Y-W Electric Association in Akron and Yampa Valley Electric Association in Steamboat Springs. But as soon as the windstorm was over, electric co-ops across Colorado and western Nebraska that had not been affected by the
20
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
After a spring storm in K.C. Electric’s territory, assistance from neighboring co-ops restores power quickly.
storm stepped up to assist in safely getting the lights back on for these co-ops. Neighboring co-ops that could spare a crew, sent it to help. Contractors, who supplement co-op crews on projects throughout the year, made their crews available. That quick response from other co-ops comes from a combination of a centuries-old co-op tradition and agreements among electric cooperatives. This help is needed, especially by smaller co-ops, because these large natural disasters (such as wildfires, derechos, ice storms, blizzards
Through a mutual aid agreement, electric cooperative line crews from any co-op can arrive on the scene, ready to lend helping hands after disaster strikes.
INDUSTRY and tornadoes) that cause devastation is more than many local electric co-ops can quickly repair on their own. When multiple areas in a co-op’s service territory are without electricity and there are only four or five crews available to restore the system, electric co-ops depend on other co-ops in their state and national network for assistance. The residents of Grand County saw crews from Highline Electric, Gunnison County Electric Association in Gunnison, Southeast Colorado Power Association, United Power and White River Electric Association in Meeker arrive October 26. They came from all corners of the state as part of a plan called a “mutual aid agreement.” And San Miguel Power Association in Nucla arrived a couple days later, once it was determined that more help was needed. “It is a natural extension of who we are,” says Kent Singer, executive director of CREA. “Helping each other is something we do naturally as part of our co-op family and our culture.” An agreement is one thing, but success means carrying it out Lineworkers prepare to get the poles and lines back up in a neighborhood effectively. To that end, electric co-ops rely on planning and shared affected by the East Troublesome Fire. experiences, says Dale Kishbaugh, CREA director of safety and loss control. Colorado’s electric co-ops spend time planning for disasters, talking through the what-ifs of problems and sharing experiences with each other as they meet regularly to keep procedures updated. The response to the East Troublesome Fire came together relatively quickly after that fire took a turn and developed a speed no one expected. Once it burned through the system and MPE knew where it lost its lines, the response was quick but planned, with the idea that when mutual aid crews arrived the work could begin and materials would be available. With other natural disasters, even with other wildfires, that planning can often start before the disaster actually strikes. For example, weather Crews from neighboring electric co-ops assist in getting powerlines restored after a summer storm on the eastern plains. predictions can give a co-op notice of a possible blizzard or ice storm. Then materials can be readied and preliminary assistance can be arranged. the fire burned through an area and it was deemed safe to enter that Another example is the Cameron Peak Fire, the largest fire in area, PVREA crews and contractors got right to work replacing burned Colorado history, which ignited in August and was still only 92% poles and restringing power lines. They were prepared and, this time, contained at magazine deadline. While dangerous and, at times, PVREA did not have to rely on the mutual aid agreement. But that unpredictable, it burned at a slower pace than the East Troublesome agreement was there and could be used if needed. Fire. This gave Poudre Valley REA crews opportunities to prepare for No electric co-op has to go it alone. Each independent, local co-op where the fire might burn through its system. is part of the electric co-op family, part of a statewide and nationwide Before the fire arrived, PVREA lineworkers wrapped poles in network of electric co-ops, all ready to lend a hand to get the lights high-risk areas with fire protection materials. They met regularly with back on safely wherever they go out. incident command to determine where the electric system might be Mona Neeley is the publisher and editor of Colorado Country Life magazine. affected and where the co-op might need to de-energize lines. Once COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
21
GARDENING
Nature’s Beauty Beckons Holiday Cheer Discover what’s around you to create festive decor BY VICKI SPENCER
MASTER GARDENER | GARDENING@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE .ORG
D
ecember marks the 10 month for many of us staying home with only occasional visits from friends and relatives. Now that cold weather is further restricting social activities, I wonder how the pandemic will affect the holidays. Will religious services be broadcast in parking lots? Will parades and tree-lighting ceremonies be canceled? Will children be unable to put on school plays and musicals? These things could put a damper on our holiday spirit. But they don’t have to. It’s a perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature, use our imaginations and bring the holiday spirit into our homes. On a nice day, go on a fun-filled scavenger hunt and wander around your yard or take a walk to look for interesting twigs, leaves, pinecones, seed pods, etc. The materials you collect can be used to create nature-inspired holiday decorations. Evergreens, bare twigs or twigs with a few leaves or berries can be used in many arrangements. If you have a favorite color scheme, you can spray paint them, or you can go with a natural look. Place the twigs in a vase and decorate with ornaments or
22
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
even holiday cards. Just punch holes in the cards and slip yarn through for hangers. Tuck family photos in between branches, or attach with a small clip, to remind you of loved ones. Try bundling dry twigs or fresh evergreen sprigs to make hanging door decorations; add ribbons or tree ornaments for color. You can make wreaths out of evergreens even if you don’t have a form. Bend a wire hanger into a circle and attach small sprigs in an overlapping pattern. If you feel that’s too much work, simply tack a single evergreen branch to the wall and decorate it. My favorite displays are made with pinecones, which I collect all year round. A friend who makes pinecone wreaths told me to heat them briefly in the microwave to kill any bugs. I use pinecones to make centerpieces by arranging them around candles and evergreen sprigs, and adding oranges and apples for color. Sometimes I spray paint pinecones white or gold to make them stand out. If you don’t feel like venturing outside, you can make your own nature-inspired decorations with just a few supplies. Create
holly leaves from dark and light green card stock, indent veins in the leaves with a wooden skewer and trace the indentations with a colored pencil. Use these leaves to make paper wreaths, centerpieces or decorative picture frames. Making handmade ornaments is a fun family project. Mix 4 cups flour, 1 cup salt and 1-1/2 cups warm water in a bowl. Knead until the dough is firm and smooth, roll it out and cut with cookie cutters; or form your own shapes and poke holes for hanging before baking, about an hour at 300 degrees until dry. My family has always enjoyed making nature-inspired decorations such as these. It’s a simple tradition that brings us together to enjoy the holidays. 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.
Did You Save Your Raffle Ticket? You can get 10% or more off a signed & numbered limited edition giclee on a 24”x15” canvas board, The Trestle at Rollins Pass, by Karen Vance. Proceeds benefit Grand Co. Hist. Assn. Order by Dec. 15 to receive by Christmas. Credit Cards accepted. 970-726-5488 GrandCountyHistory.org Cozens Ranch Museum or Hot Sulphur Springs Museum $
75000
From the top of Mt Antero, Colo. Make your holidays special with one-of-a-kind Colorado Aquamarine Gems, raw specimens, and jewelry www.MtAnteroTreasures.com 719-626-1921 Buena Vista
1500
premier moving company. Professional, careful, and efficient, OBAY moves your household goods with quality care. Top notch customer service for a fair price. The best gift you can give yourself when moving is quality moving services! Sit back, relax, and tell us where you want your items placed.
$
14900 per hr
3 professional movers www.obaymovingcourierllc.com 970-580-0488 Sterling
Goat Milk Gift Basket
Matheson 303-906-8129 https://americancountryessentials.com
$
www.coloradocaliber.com 303-956-7640 Denver
OBAY Moving & Courier Service Colorado’s
100% Custom Molded Insoles — Solutions for Plantar Fasciitis, heel pain, top of foot pain, arch pain, bunions, achilles tendonitis, joint pain, and alignment issues. Includes FREE Foot Assessment & FREE Footwear Recommendations. #Xmas2020 https://www.solelytics.com/ denver-foot-pain/ 303-981-3999 Mobile — We come to you!
7295
Hiking Flag Each
Colorado Caliber flag mosaic has a theme and you’ll find it within the flag itself! Available designs include Camping, Skiing, Fly Fishing, Wildlife, and many more! #CO-HIKE
Gifts that share the Warmth and Generosity of this Holiday Season
No More Foot Pain
$
Colorado Gemstones
Luxurious products are always welcome! Pamper friends & family members with this unique, personal, customizable gift featuring goat milk body soaps, 4-oz. goat milk body butter, goat milk bath soak, alpaca dryer balls, goat milk face soap, wooden soap dish, all natural chapsticks. #COUNTRYLIFE for free shipping
$
3000 (1 oz) Soothe CBD+ Topical Salve
Give the gift of relief! With an effective dose of 250mg (per 1-oz. tin), Colorado Hemp Solutions’ own full-spectrum CBD+ topical salve helps melt away aches & pains. From our family farm to your home, we are proud to be Colorado’s premier hemp & CBD provider! #Soothe1 coloradohempsolutions.com 970-434-4143 Grand Junction
OUTDOORS
DAWN, DUCKS AND DOGS
A story of watching the wonders of the wilderness BY DENNIS SMITH
| OUTDOORS@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
I
t’s a half-hour before legal shooting light on a bone-cracking cold December morning. Hoarfrost glistens from every twig, leaf, branch and blade of grass in the creek bottom, the stars have faded and the last inky-black remnants of night are retreating from the sky. Dawn is a soft, glowing tapestry of salmon-colored streaks on the eastern horizon, and the two Labrador retrievers at our sides are shivering with excitement at the far-off whistle of wings only they can hear. Gun dogs can sense the presence of ducks long before hunters ever see them — a mysterious canine ability that never fails to amaze us. My sons and I are hunkered down behind a makeshift blind of fallen cottonwood boughs thicker than a bull elephant’s trunk. Weathered gray, and brushed in with coarsely woven branches of alder and switch willow, the thing looks like an overgrown pile of rotted logs, bank rubble and creek flotsam. We’re straining our eyes against the dawn searching for the ducks the dogs have warned us are coming. We see nothing but sky. Silly dogs. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a flock of green-winged teal buzz the blind like a squadron of miniature fighter jets, brake sharply and pitch into the decoys. The dogs were right. Again. Of course, they were; they’re always right. Unfortunately, we can’t shoot because legal shooting light is still 15 minutes off. The dogs whine and scowl their disappointment as if to say, “How come you jerks didn’t shoot?” Their frustration is palpable. Apart from the often ridiculous, never-the-same-thing-twice beauty of a prairie sunrise or the fascination of watching hunting
24
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
dogs at work, the inevitable wildlife drama that unfolds around a duck blind at dawn while the woods and creek bottoms are waking is a continual source of wonder and entertainment to anyone who’s paying attention. On our duck hunts over the years, we’ve watched great horned owls and red-tailed hawks catch birds and rodents in the cottonwoods; seen golden and bald eagles soar overhead; and watched harriers and goshawks hunt the marshes for muskrats and voles. We’ve seen great blue herons spear shad and bluegills, and watched belted kingfishers dive for minnows on the Platte and ospreys snatch carp from duck ponds. We’ve listened to coyotes howl at dawn and witnessed them stalking prairie dogs in pastures across from our blind. We’ve seen white-tail deer and their fawns sneak out of the cornfields to bed down in the woods nearby, and just recently watched a small flock of turkeys scratch their way through the woods behind our blind, yelping and clucking quietly all the way. That’s not even the half of it. Sometimes we actually shoot a duck or two, just to keep the dogs happy, you understand, but usually we just sit quietly, sip coffee and watch the wild. Dennis Smith is a freelance outdoors writer and photographer whose work appears nationally. He lives in Loveland.
MISS AN ISSUE? Catch up at coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Outdoors under Living in Colorado.
ADVERTISEMENT
Scientists Target New Acid Reflux Pill for Anti-Aging Research
Surprisingly, the secret to slow the aging process may reside in a new acid reflux treatment; studies find the pill to help protect users from fatigue, cardiovascular issues, and serious conditions that accompany premature aging. Seattle, WA – A published study on a leading acid reflux ingredient shows that its key ingredient improves digestive health while maintaining health levels of inflammation that contributes to premature aging in men and women. And, if consumer sales are any indication of a product’s effectiveness, this ‘acid reflux pill turned anti-aging phenomenon’ is nothing short of a miracle. Sold under the brand name AloeCure®, its ingredient was already backed by research showing its ability to neutralize acid levels and hold them down for long lasting day and night relief from bouts of heartburn and, acid reflux, gas, bloating, and more. But soon doctors started reporting some incredible results... “With AloeCure, my patients started reporting, better sleep, more energy, stronger immune systems... even less stress and better skin, hair, and nails” explains Dr. Liza Leal; a leading integrative health specialist and company spokesperson. AloeCure contains an active ingredient that helps improve digestion by acting as a natural acid-buffer that improves the pH balance of your stomach. Scientists now believe that this acid imbalance could be a major contributing factor to painful inflammation throughout the rest of the body. The daily allowance of AloeCure has shown to calm this inflammation through immune system adjustments which is why AloeCure is so effective. Relieving other stressful symptoms related to GI health like pain, bloating, fatigue, cramping, acid overproduction, and nausea. Now, backed with new scientific studies, AloeCure is being doctor recommended to help improve digestion, and even reduce the appearance of wrinkles – helping patients look and feel decades younger. FIX YOUR GUT & FIGHT INFLAMMATION Since hitting the market, sales for AloeCure have taken off and there are some very good reasons why. To start, the clinical studies have been impressive. Virtually all participants taking it reported stunning improvement in digestive symptoms including bouts of heartburn. Users can also experience higher energy levels and endurance, relief from chronic discomfort and better sleep, healthier looking skin, hair, and nails. A healthy gut is the key to a reducing swell-
ing and inflammation that can wreak havoc on the human body. Doctors say this is why AloeCure works on so many aspects of your health. AloeCure’s active ingredient is made from the famous healing compound found in Aloe Vera. It is both safe and healthy. There are also no known side effects. Scientists believe that it helps improve digestive by acting as a natural acid-buffer that improves the pH balance of your stomach and helps the immune system maintain healthy functions. Research has shown that this acid imbalance contributes to painful inflammation throughout your entire body and is why AloeCure seems to be so effective. EXCITING RESULTS FROM PATIENTS To date millions of bottles of AloeCure have been sold, and the community seeking non-pharma therapy for their GI health continues to grow. According to Dr. Leal, her patients are absolutely thrilled with their results and are often shocked by how fast it works. “For the first time in years, they are free from concerns about their digestion and almost every other aspect of their health,” says Dr. Leal, “and I recommend it to everyone who wants to improve GI health before considering drugs, surgery, or OTC medications.” “All the problems with my stomach are gone. Completely gone. I can say AloeCure is a miracle. It’s a miracle.” Another user turned spokesperson said, “I started to notice a difference because I was sleeping through the night and that was great. AloeCure does work for me. It’s made a huge difference.” With so much positive feedback, it’s easy to see why the community of believers is growing and sales for the new pill are soaring.
entire body. When your digestive system isn’t healthy, it causes unwanted stress on your immune system, which results in inflammation in the rest of the body. The recommended daily allowance of acemannan in AloeCure has been proven to support digestive health and manage painful inflammation through immune system adjustments without side effects or drugs. This would explain why so many users are experiencing impressive results so quickly. REVITALIZE YOUR ENTIRE BODY With daily use, AloeCure helps users look and feel decades younger and defend against some of the painful inflammation that accompanies aging and can make life hard. By buffering stomach acid and restoring gut health, AloeCure’s ingredient maintains healthy immune system function to combat painful inflammation...reduce the appearance of winkles and help strengthen hair and nails ... maintains healthy cholesterol and oxidative stress... improves sleep and energy…. and supports brain function by way of gut biome... without side effects or expense. Readers can now reclaim their energy, vitality, and youth regardless of age.
AloeCure Taken Daily • Helps End Digestion Nightmares • Reduces appearance of Wrinkles & Increases Elasticity • Supports Healthy Immune System
THE SCIENCE BEHIND ALOECURE
HOW TO GET ALOECURE
AloeCure is a pill that’s taken just once daily. The pill is small. Easy to swallow. There are no harmful side effects and it does not require a prescription. The active ingredient is a rare Aloe Vera component known as acemannan. Millions spent in developing a proprietary process for extracting acemannan resulted in the highest quality, most bio-available levels of acemannan known to exist, and it’s made from organic aloe. According to Dr. Leal and leading experts, improving the pH balance of your stomach and restoring gut health is the key to revitalizing your
This is the official nationwide release of the new AloeCure pill in the United States. And so, the company is offering our readers up to 3 FREE bottles with their order. This special give-away is only available for a limited time. All you have to do is call TOLLFREE 1-800-592-8693 and provide the operator with the Free Bottle Approval Code: AC100. The company will do the rest. Important: Due to AloeCure’s recent media exposure, phone lines are often busy. If you call and do not immediately get through, please be patient and call back. Those who miss the 48-hour deadline may lose out on this free bottle offer.
THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. ALL DOCTORS MENTIONED ARE REMUNERATED FOR THEIR SERVICES. ALL CLINICAL STUDIES ON ALOECURE’S ACTIVE INGREDIENT WERE INDEPENDENTLY CONDUCTED AND WERE NOT SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN GLOBAL HEALTH GROUP.
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
25
MARKETPLACE
Cabin to Rent
Need tenant to live in cabin & do fire mitigation. Applicant will pay utilities. Rent is 25 hrs/wk operating chainsaw & moving wood. Must have own equipment. Beautiful location in Mesa County. Cabin experience req’d. Call 303-444-4901 Send resume to plum.wonderful@yahoo.com
CO’s Largest Christmas Train Display % Christmas Caboose % NEW Christmas Gift Shop
Nov. 27-Jan. 10 • 970-281-9094 MoffatRoadRailroadMuseum.org
Want to work from home? Tired of the scams?
We are a legitimate work from home company Call Carrie 303-579-4207
Live Healthy Retire Younger www.LiveHealthyRetireYounger.com
Buying anvils—blacksmith tools— cast iron (Griswold & Wagner). Old toys – colored pyrex – cowboy hats, boots, & spurs. Will come to you & we buy whole estates!
970-759-3455 or 970-565-1256
WE PAY CASH for
Wanted: Jeep CJ or Wrangler. Reasonably priced. No rust buckets.
minerals and oil/gas interests, producing and non-producing.
800-733-8122 888-735-5337 Stop feeding prairie dogs. We’ll rent hunting rights from you.
Seriously looking for duck & goose habitat. Encourage young sportsmen by providing safe, private access. You make the rules.
303-460-0273
I want to purchase mineral and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201
25 Year Warranty • Easy Bolt-Together Design Engineered Stamp Blueprints
Farm • Industrial • Commercial
RHINO.BUILDERS/CO 940-304-8064 info@rhinobldg.com
READER PARTICIPATION is the backbone of CCL magazine. SEND US YOUR: Original Poetry Photos with the Magazine Letters to the Editor Community Events Submit via email to: info@coloradocountrylife.org By mail to: Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St. Denver, CO 80216
Protective Sleeves: 100% Guaranteed
• Prevents Cuts & Scratches • Durable Soft Leather • Adjustable Air-Flow
armchaps.com • 651-492-4830
26
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
READER POETRY Snow Day
HURRY Last Chance to Enter
2021
Photo
Con t es t
Categories are: • The Golden Hour • My Stomping Grounds • Family Fun • Colorado Birds • CCL Cover Contest
Deadline: December 15, 2020
4 CATEGORIES & CCL COVER CONTEST Contest rules:
• Read the full list of official rules and requirements and enter online at coloradocountrylife.coop • Photographer must be a member of a Colorado electric co-op. • Photographer may enter up to 2 photos per category. • If people appear in the photo, it is the photographer’s responsibility to have the subject’s permission to enter his or her image in the contest. • Photos must have been taken by you. • General Category Contest: Photos must be 8×10 inches and must not be printed on a home printer. • Cover Contest: Photos must be at least 10×13 inches in size and vertical in orientation. • Photographer may win only one first-place prize. • ONLY first and second place photos in each category will be published in the magazine. Third place photos will appear only on the website and will still earn an award. Only one award will be given for the cover contest. • By entering the contest, photographers give Colorado Country Life permission to publish the winning images in print and digital publications, to social media and on websites.
Send entries to: Photo Contest, Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or enter online at coloradocountrylife.coop.
What we did with this gift of hours that fell from the sky unbidden: We put on our mittens and scarfs and clunky boots We made tracks on the blank page of prairie; we let the dog run We hammered and bent and formed We FaceTimed and talked and read from The New Yorker We slurped tomato soup and sweet potato chips We napped We walked and we skied We drank Earl Grey from homemade cups and read Billy together. That is what we did with this gift of time and snow. David Reynolds, Colorado Springs Mountain View Electric Association consumer-member
Arrested Water
Water, free flowing; sun warmed sheets of liquid tumbling to the ground. A concussive sound like that of waves crashing on a shore. Then as the seasons change, the air turns cold. As frost appears and snow descends, the mighty flow slows to a trickle. Giant icicles take shape, like that of an elongated beard. The once clear, free flowing water turns a frozen whitish, gray color. The waterfall is suspended, its waters arrested. Kevin Wherry, Aurora
HAPPY
Holidays
DO YOU WRITE POETRY?
Mona Kylee Cassi
Send us your best work; we’d love to read it. Submission: Submit your poetry via email to: info@coloradocountrylife.org or by mail to: Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St. Denver, CO 80216
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
27
COMMUNITY EVENTS Due to COVID-19, some of these events may be canceled, modified or rescheduled. Please contact the host of the events if you have any questions.
December 2020 Throughout December Fort Collins
Self-Guided Historic Homes Tour: Street Stories 23 Historic Buildings in Old Town poudrelandmarks.org/historichomes-tour
Through December 20 Online
Salida Council for the Arts’ Holiday Art Show salidacouncilforthearts.org
Through December 24 Fort Collins
Santa’s Workshop Old Town downtownfortcollins.com
Through December 27 Pueblo
Electricritters Light Show Pueblo Zoo pueblozoo.org/electricritters
Through December 31 Denver
Zoo Lights Denver Zoo 5-10:30 pm • denverzoo.org
Through January 1 Loveland
Winter Wonderlights Light Show Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra visitlovelandco.org/ winterwonderlights
Through January 3 Littleton
Trail of Lights Light Show Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms botanicgardens.org
Through January 10 Granby
Model Train Display, Christmas Caboose and Gift Shop Moffat Road Railroad Museum 970-281-9094 • moffatroadrailroadmuseum.org
SEND CALENDAR ITEMS
Through January 16 Denver
Blossoms of Light™ Light Show Denver Botanic Gardens botanicgardens.org
Calendar, Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216; fax to 303455-2807; or email calendar@ coloradocountrylife.org.
December 4 Mancos
Christmas Tree Lighting Pioneer Plaza 6-7 pm • mancosvalley.com
December 5 Timnath
Colorado State Questers Christmas Tea • Timnath Presbyterian Church • 10 am-1 pm coloquesters.com
December 9-27 Virtual
Please send name of event, date, time, venue, brief description, phone number, a photo, if you have one, and email and/or website for more information. December 14 Pueblo
FAR Out Trail Challenge Fremont Trail System joinfar.org
Save the Magic! Nutcracker, The Ballet Fundraiser Virtual event sdc-arts.org/dance/nutcrackerfundraiser
December 12 Denver
December 22 Virtual
Christmas Lights of Denver by Bus History Colorado Center 5:30-9 pm • historycolorado.org
“Parenting in a Pandemic” Virtual Gathering 10:30-11:30 am • fcmod.org
Colorado’s small businesses need your support now more than ever. HOW TO
Colorado’s electric cooperatives support local businesses in their communities. One way they are doing that is focusing on the many small Colorado businesses that have been featured on the Discoveries page of this magazine and other similar businesses just trying to make it during this difficult time. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop/ support-colorados-small-businesses to see the wonderful list of Colorado small businesses needing your support.
28
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES BUY GIFTS CARDS TO USE LATER Purchase online or over the phone. SHOP ONLINE Many local businesses offer online shopping. Visit their website to make a digital purchase and get their product delivered to your home. CONNECT ALTERNATIVELY Follow your favorite Colorado businesses on social media, websites and digital newsletters. See if they are offering ways to connect, such as pick-up or home delivery. BUY NOW, PICK UP LATER Give the business a call, pay for a product, set it aside to pick up later. HELP GROW SUPPORT Give a business a shout-out on social media. 2 MONTHS ADVANCE Leave it IN a review. Like, share and post on social media; the extra virtual love is appreciated. Be sure to tag your posts using #CoOpsSupportCO
YOUR STORIES
READERS’ PHOTOS
FUNNY STORIES When we were back at school after
Christmas break, one of the second-graders told me that his family has Alexa now. He told me that he asked, “Alexa, did you fart?” Over the laughter I asked what the answer was, and he stated that Alexa said, “I never ever have broken wind.” Needless to say, the roar of laughter got even louder. I wonder about technology sometimes. Lori Peek, Deer Trail
On Christmas day our 28-month-
old great-granddaughter, Arry, let her hair down after being in ponytails all day. Her hair was sticking out wildly. Great-granddad asked where she got that pretty hair. Without hesitation she said, “Walmart.” We all had a good laugh. Marie Swanner, Dolores
Poudre Valley REA consumer-members Isaac and Sam Neal quarantining at home in Lyons dreaming of a vacation!
Poudre Valley REA consumer-member Phyllis Jachowski at home in Fort Collins with granddaughter, Brie, enjoys the gardening, recipes, poetry and book reviews in their November CCL.
San Isabel Electric Association consumer-members Brad and Tammy Shaver enjoy CCL while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
It has become a family tradition to
visit the Denver Zoo Lights every year around Christmastime with our daughter Rachel and her family. A couple of years ago we had just finished walking through the exhibit and were waiting for Peepaw and the children’s father to get the cars and warm them up for us. While waiting, there was a commotion behind us. I looked over and saw that a young man and woman just got engaged and they had a photographer along with several friends all joining in on the celebration. Our granddaughter Phoenix, who was 4 at the time, wasn’t paying any attention to what was happening. I said, “Look behind you! That couple just got engaged!” She looked over at them and said, “That’s disgusting!” I said, “Phoenix, now why would you say something like that? It’s a good thing! It means they are going to get married!” She then said, “Yeah, well that’s what all of the boys at school say: That’s disgusting!” Roslyn Swofford, Elbert WINNER: This year’s $200 winner is Ingrid Garver of Fort Collins, a consumer-member of Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association.
Bob and Nora Matteo, consumer-members of both Yampa Valley Electric and Poudre Valley REA, escape the wildfire smoke by going to Cannon Beach, Oregon.
WINNER: San Isabel Electric consumer-member Brenda Vitale enjoys CCL while riding the ferry from Salem to Boston, Massachusetts.
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 $25 each month. The next deadline is Monday, December 14. Name, address and co-op must accompany photo. See all of the submitted photos on Facebook at facebook.com/COCountryLife.
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 DECEMBER 2020
29
DISCOVERIES
’Tis the Season of Giving Discover ways Coloradans spread the holiday spirit Courtesy James Edward Mills of the Joy Trip Project
Colorado Provides America’s Christmas Tree Since 1970, a different national forest has provided a live tree, dubbed “The People’s Tree,” to the White House to be lit and decorated for the holidays. For 2020, the tree was provided by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in partnership with the nonprofits Choose Outdoors and Colorado Tourism. This tree travels the nation with stops along the way for planned special events. This year, the tree-cutting ceremony was on November 5 and the tree began its journey to the White House on November 10, making its appearance on the West Lawn on November 20. Learn more about the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree at uscapitolchristmastree.com.
Wreaths of Remembrance Representing three U.S. National Cemeteries in Colorado — Pikes Peak, Fort Logan and Fort Lyon — Colorado Springs-based Senior Veterans, Inc., provides remembrance wreaths at the gravestones of the veterans who were laid to rest there. While the deadline to purchase a $15 wreath for 2020 was November 30, keep in mind this fantastic fundraiser next year. The 2020 wreaths will be placed on December 19. For more information, visit coloradohonor.com.
Helpers Add Heart to the Holidays
Celebrating Women Voting The Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund, which supports education and preservation projects at the historic Boettcher Mansion, is offering a special holiday ornament to honor the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. This ornament is the 12th in a series that includes depictions of the White House Chandelier, Claude’s Cutty Sark, the Governor’s Garden and more. Cost is $35. For more information and to purchase, visit coloradoshome.org/ gift-shop.
30
COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
Colorado Springs-based The Christmas Tree Project will celebrate its 10th year of donating fully decorated Christmas trees to families in need this holiday season. The organization receives thousands of requests every year from all around the nation and the globe and, with the current economic struggles, the need for Christmas trees is expected to be amplified. Read more about The Christmas Tree project, which was featured in Colorado Country Life’s December 2017 issue, at coloradocountrylife.coop/ sharing-magic-christmas-brings-smiles-2. To donate, volunteer or request a tree, visit thechristmastreeproject.org.
O UP ORW CO
WSUPE
Shop When You Need To Online & In-Store
SUPER COUPON
3-Ply Disposable Face Masks Pack of 10
SUPER COUPON
(3105)
YOUR CHOICE OF COLOR
$
Black
Save
Non-medical. Compare to Fecedy B01711ZXI4 $8.99
Rapid Pump® 3 Ton Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack
$
2
$ 99 $ 99 3 ITEM 58065
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Blue
ITEM 57593
In-Store Only
66% *53506354* 53506354 LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21*
8999
ANY SINGLE ITEM*
10499
Compare to Powerbuilt 647593 $135.27
2
$ 99
Save $
45
ITEM 56621/56622/56623/56624 shown
SUPER COUPON
*53508916* 53508916
$
$
11 HOUR RUN TIME
76999
*53513005* 53513005
LIMIT 1 - Exp. 1/15/21*
Compare to Streamlight ProTac 1L $59.99
Save
SUPER COUPON
(5248)
(4270)
18" Working Platform Step Stool
3 Gallon, 100 PSI Oil-Free Air Compressors
$
8
12 $ 99 99
Use Online & In-Store
85% *53516878* 53516878 LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21*
ITEM 64799/63934 shown
SUPER COUPON
YOUR CHOICE
$
2999
$
Compare to Neocraft 60635 $39.99
Save
5499
Pancake
ITEM 95275/60637 61615 shown
50%
59%
Use Online & In-Store
*53518481* 53518481
ITEM 62515/66911 shown
LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21*
Hot Dog
ITEM 69269 97080 shown
Use Online & In-Store
Compare to Porter-Cable PCFP02003 $98.62
*53519695* 53519695
SUPER COUPON
(6777)
LIMIT 3 - Exp. 1/15/21*
SUPER COUPON (2062)
(625)
4" Ratcheting Bar Clamp/Spreader
10 ft. x 10 ft. Portable Shed
4-1/2" Angle Grinder
3
3999 Save
SUPER COUPON
(5430)
40" x 72" Moving Blanket
*53510391 * Exp. 1/15/21*
1999
$
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, power stations, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Atlas, Avanti, Bauer, Central Machinery, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Drummond, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/15/21.
Use Online & In-Store
$
1,329
ITEM 56720/63584 shown
LIMIT 3 Hardware sold separately.
SUPER COUPON
588 Lumen Tactical Flashlight
Save
*53505872 * 53505872
53510391
ITEM 62535/90566 shown
LIMIT 2 - Exp. 1/15/21*
5"
Use Online & In-Store
63
¢
(5591)
799
Compare to Honda EU3000IS1A $2,099
WOW!
SUPER COUPON
99
$
Use Online & In-Store
Compare to Titan 11194 $5.99
Use Online & In-Store
(3949)
3500w Super Quiet Inverter Generator
20% OFF
( 7293)
4" Magnetic Parts Holder
(923)
1 SELLING JACKS IN AMERICA
#
Less Than 30¢ per Mask
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 89%
N
$ 99
9
$ 99
4
$ 99
Save
Compare to Pratt Retail Specialties HDMOVBLAN $9.98
60%
Use Online & In-Store
*53519988* 53519988
ITEM 69504/62336/47262 shown
LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21*
Compare to Ironton 61451 $22.99
Save
$
Use Online & In-Store
LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21*
2799
19
$
Compare to Ryobi P215K $79
129
$
Use Online & In-Store
*53524214* 53524214
ITEM 56184/63297 shown
LIMIT 1 - Exp. 1/15/21*
SUPER COUPON
99
*53527869 * LIMIT 2 - Exp. 1/15/21* 53527869
ITEM 56122/64118 shown
Use Online & In-Store
YOUR CHOICE OF 6 COLORS
(808)
449
99
4-1/2" Flap Discs
83
ITEM 63350
84% *53527643* 53527643 LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21*
27
200 Lumen LED Super Bright Flip Light
99 $ 99
1
(6180)
Save
Use Online & In-Store
*53531181 * LIMIT 2 - Exp. 1/15/21* 53531181
Compare to Promier SW-SWITCH-12/24 $4.99
Use Online & In-Store
*53532856 * LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21* 53532856
ITEM 64723/64189/63922 shown
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
(4057)
Click-Type Torque 125 AMP Wrenches Flux Core 1/4" Drive Welder 3/8" Drive ITEM 61276/63880
YOUR CHOICE
1/2" Drive
9
$ 99
ITEM 69602
120 Grit
ITEM 67636/69604 shown
53533315
Use Online & In-Store
ITEM 61277/63881
60 Grit
*53533315 * LIMIT 1 - Exp. 1/15/21*
$
2
4
Use Online & In-Store
Save
$ 99
Compare to Diablo DCX045080N01F $8.97
1
$ 99
60%
Compare to Snap-on EEBM500A $111
YOUR CHOICE
ITEM 61500/67639
2,285
Save
ITEM 46805/62242 68974 shown
2
(1073)
36 Grit
Save
Compare to Irwin 1964747 $6.49
$ 99
SUPER COUPON
$ 79
49999
ITEM 64446, 64955, 64443, 64954, 64281, 64956
53528571
ITEM 61160/63456/46319 shown
SUPER COUPON 44" x 22" Double Bank Extra Deep Cabinet
*53528571* LIMIT 3 - Exp. 1/15/21*
99¢ SUPER COUPON
(2144)
Compare to Duralast TR6201C $74.99
Use Online & In-Store
Compare to Snap-on Blue-Point KRA4813FPBO $2,735
16499 99
Save $ 99 27 73%
64%
$
70
(4756)
Save
$
$
300 lb. Capacity 4 AMP High Frequency Pneumatic Adjustable Battery Charger/Maintainer $ Roller Seat 3999 $
3499
$
Save
Compare to ShelterLogic 70833 $199.99
SUPER COUPON
(1286)
18v Lithium-Ion 3/8" Drill/Driver Kit
1399
56% *53520528* 53520528
ITEM 69645/60625 shown
SUPER COUPON
$
$
$
Save Use Online & In-Store 66% *53534434 * LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21* 53534434
1,100+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 1/15/21.
$
19
ITEM 62431/63882 shown
$ $
99
Compare to Husky H2DTWA $89.97
(1777 )
Save
88%
Use Online & In-Store
*53537170 * LIMIT 4 - Exp. 1/15/21* 53537170
9999
12999
Compare to Ironton 45433 $199.99
Save $
100
ITEM 63583/57798/63582 shown
Use Online & In-Store
*53537353 * LIMIT 1 - Exp. 1/15/21* 53537353
Pricing, promotions, and availability may vary by location and at www.harborfreight.com and are subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to limit quantities. “Compare to” advertised price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. Although we make every effort to assure that our prices and products are advertised as accurately as possible, we are only human and in the event an error is made, we reserve the right to correct it.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Here at your local Touchstone Energy cooperative, we’re proud to be a part of it, bringing people together by providing energy for all the things you love.