The 5 things you should do if you want to live in rural Colorado: (Grand Junction: best cities, real estate)

[jazzlover]

upwithpeople,

Did it ever occur to you that there were some things in Colorado that just might be worth saving? You accuse me of living in the 1950's. Well, let's see what has been lost, even from the 1960's or 1970's:

1. In most small towns in the state, people didn't have to lock their doors or take the key out of their cars. Try that now.

2. You could go many places in the mountains, and you wouldn't see trophy houses, condos, umpteen paved roads, horrid weekend traffic, and zillions of 4WD's and ATV's in some of the remotest areas.

3. Most of all, you wouldn't see a bunch of spoiled brats (from 8 to 70 years old) showing off all of their fancy toys while they clutter up and ravage the countryside in virtually every way that our "high-technology" and affluence allows us to do.

4. What you would see back then were a lot of honest, hardworking (but certainly not rich) people working on farms and ranches, or in the mines actually producing something of value. They loved their communities and--maybe most of all--they knew and looked out for each other.

I grew up in Colorado in the 1950's, 60,s, and 70's. upwithpeople, you belittle those of us who fondly remember that because, most likely, you either weren't alive or didn't live in Colorado to experience what a wonderful place the state was then. That is your loss, and I pity you for it. There is a lot still worth saving in Colorado, but forgive those of us who have seen how much has already been lost for shedding a tear or two over that, and wishing that we could have some of those things back.

[CosmicWizard]

jazzlover

I still consider Colorado a wonderful state to live in. Perhaps if we stop the whining and compalining about the changes taking place we'd come up with a way to keep it from further deterioration. Longing for the past ( as great as it might have been in your mind ) only keeps us in a state of powerlessness. Other than that, I have no concrete solution to offer, and I'm hoping that you might have one.

regards...Franco

[Micktooth]

OK it's time for me to speak up. Why are some people just so negative ALL of the time? Jazzlover, you have already left the State. Obviously Colorado is not like it used to be. What is? This obviously wasn't the right place for you so you left. Great for you. Now please leave those of us who are still here "suffering" in Colorado alone! Look back through your posts and most are soooo negative. That's your opinion but not everyone's. I think most people happen to love Colorado the way it is. Times change,places change, and people change. How 'bout you?

[jazzlover]

Micktooth,

I still have family and a LOT of friends in Colorado, so I still care about the place. What is happening to today's Coloradans is a lot like the fable about the frog:

Throw a frog into a bucket of boiling water, and he'll jump out.

Put the frog into a bucket of cold water and slowly raise the temperature to boiling and he'll sit there and boil to death.

I think a lot of Coloradans are like the frog put in the cold water. They don't see the way the state is changing (in many ways for the worse, in my opinion). When you're gone for awhile and then return, the rate and breadth of the change is a lot more apparent.

To make myself clear, I do not wish Colorado to return to the way it was "x" number of years ago, but I do think that it should not completely renounce its heritage, either. It should learn from its heritage and move forward in more sustainable and less damaging way--if future Coloradans are going to much of a life there at all. That actually goes for the whole country, really. The way this country is headed today is a path to certain depression, destruction, unsustainability, and extreme hardship. It doesn't HAVE to be that way, but we--as others have posted--are going to have to adapt in ways that may not seem very pleasant to us right now. If I'm a paria for articulating that point of view, then so be it.

[nanannie]

I once heard a Teluride native say,"you cant live in a state and close the gate behind you".If you think its a beautiful,wonderful area,chances are others will as well. I learned some interesting facts on this thread since I was one to beleive its always white or green(having only visited twice)and that water issue-serious problam .I had a vision of Colorado,and it was not endless crowded sub divisions and strip malls.The truth hurts

[CosmicWizard]

nanannie

Come for a visit again...and travel away from the front range. You'll be surprised to see that Colorado is much more than endless crowded sub divisions and strip malls. Certainly that does exist in Colorado, but not everywhere. There are some truly spectacular places in Colorado.

enjoy Colorado.....Franco

[nanannie]

Thank you franco,is that where you and your wife settled? did you find your "place"? What areas/towns would you suggest we visit?

[CosmicWizard]

nanannie

After visiting many places in 3 different states we came to the conclusion, with all things considered, Grand Junction would best meet our needs. For more details about our search, please see this post:

Happy Campers in Grand Junction!

regards...Franco

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

upwithpeople,

I grew up in Colorado in the 1950's, 60,s, and 70's. upwithpeople, you belittle those of us who fondly remember that because, most likely, you either weren't alive or didn't live in Colorado to experience what a wonderful place the state was then. That is your loss, and I pity you for it. There is a lot still worth saving in Colorado, but forgive those of us who have seen how much has already been lost for shedding a tear or two over that, and wishing that we could have some of those things back.

Jazzlover, I came to Colorado in the 70's, lived in Steamboat for three years as a ski bum and now live in the Denver area where I raised my kids. I suppose I fall into your group of people who have come here to rape your state, but I have also lived here and cared for it for 35 years and still continue to do so. Like someone else said, we can't come here and lock the doors behind us, and yes, population growth also means new homes to live in and new stores to shop at and new roads to get us around. It happens everywhere, even Alaska, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

The best we all can do it try to be caring, respectful citizens of this beautiful state, whether it is recycling instead of adding to the landfill, using water and other precious resources efficiently, and leaving no trace when we go hiking in the parks and open space. I guess the only other thing we could do is move out again, and just leave all of the "locals" who were born here.

[CosmicWizard]

Dreaming Of Hawaii

original by: Dreaming Of Hawaii

The best we all can do it try to be caring, respectful citizens of this beautiful state, whether it is recycling instead of adding to the landfill, using water and other precious resources efficiently, and leaving no trace when we go hiking in the parks and open space.

Your suggestions are simple, easy-to-do, practical actions that can make a difference especially if enough people practice them. It's wonderful to see solutions rather than whining and complaining. I appreciate your positive outlook.

regards..Franco