How do you think tourism will hold up this summer? (Denver: loan, buy)

[Claim Jumper]

I am a drywall contractor...if he gives me all the drywall work he's got my vote.
Just joking! I am from WY. so I know about development in prestine areas.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

Jazzlover is right. There is a stretch near the pass that Red McCombs, former owner of the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL, is wanting to develop. I don't know about all the whys, where fors, appeals, etc., but this has been a battle that has been going on for from what I remember the last couple decades. I moderate the football forum so I am familiar with him as an owner of the Vikings. I used to go to a dozen basketball games a year when he owned the Denver Nuggets in the early to mid 80's, so I'm familiar with him there. And I better just leave it at that.

It's been a while since I've been over Wolf Creek but am going to go through there next month. I remember the first time I went through there in 1967 in the ol' '56 Ford. And at the big switchback on the west side of the pass I'll never forget the huge sign that read "Many a life has been lost on this curve-please be careful." I was on my Durango to work for summer construction for the USFS.

An interesting thing I read in the Denver Post a few days ago is the possibility of making Chimney Rock a national monument. Chimney Rock is maybe 20 miles west of Pagosa Springs. Jazz, your thoughts?

On Chimney Rock--that's been talked about for years. The Indians consider it a sacred spot, so I don't know how all that figures in.

As for Wolf Creek Pass, about the first time I was over it back in the 1960's, they were just cleaning up a wreck where a Rio Grande Motorways (owned by the D&RGW Railroad and used to compete against its own undesired rail lines so they would lose money and the ICC would then let the railroad abandon the unwanted rail line--neat trick, huh?) truck had lost its brakes and ran away. The driver knew immediately what had happened and had bailed out of the truck at about 25 mph--he was pretty banged up but survived. As for truck, it was a complete pile of scrap iron after about an 800' "rapid descent" from the road. Oddly enough, the truck was empty--an empty flatbed trailer--but it didn't matter when the brakes failed.

As for the Wolf Creek development, I wish the Forest Service had enough backbone to drive a wooden stake into the heart of that thing--they'll close off seldom-used backroads because of the impact of a few vehicles a year using them, but will let a development like this go forward on a land lease when it permanently destroys the natural character of thousands of acres and destroys a viewshed visible for miles. Go figure. As for McCombs?--and people wonder why so many native Coloradans absolutely HATE rich Texans? Exhibit "A" right there.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

As for the Wolf Creek development, I wish the Forest Service had enough backbone to drive a wooden stake into the heart of that thing--they'll close off seldom-used backroads because of the impact of a few vehicles a year using them, but will let a development like this go forward on a land lease when it permanently destroys the natural character of thousands of acres and destroys a viewshed visible for miles. Go figure. As for McCombs?--and people wonder why so many native Coloradans absolutely HATE rich Texans? Exhibit "A" right there.

I hope they allow the development and out of state money is good for the economy of Colorado. So I say if the Texans want to come and spend money great, we can use it! Remember I say that as a 4th generation Coloradoan.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

I hope they allow the development and out of state money is good for the economy of Colorado. So I say if the Texans want to come and spend money great, we can use it! Remember I say that as a 4th generation Coloradoan.

Yeah, you would like it. Pave over paradise and put in a parking lot--that is all you can think about.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Yeah, you would like it. Pave over paradise and put in a parking lot--that is all you can think about.

That quote is underlined by Joni Mitchell's classic song "Big Yellow Taxi."

No truer words have ever been spoken.

The fact that this issue of Wolf Creek trophy homes has been fought over for this long a time is evident to me that lots of people are irate over this, not just a couple groups.

[Claim Jumper]

I did not intend to stir up hard feelings on a topic like development in areas that should not be.
I live in CA. and it does the soul good to see such areas.
My vote would be /leave it like it is!

[Skifreak189]

Even though I have never actually laid eyes on Wolf Creek, I would say leave it alone! Colorado already has enough cookie-cutter "Villages" at many of the ski hills. However, my hunch is that the forest service is going to let the land exchange happen, no matter how hard Colorado Wild and the Friends of Wolf Creek may fight it.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Yeah, you would like it. Pave over paradise and put in a parking lot--that is all you can think about.

Lets see how big is that development versus the millions of untouched acers in Colorado? Then how much money will it bring to Colorado including more tourism? That is good for the economy of that part of the state which needs a boost. So yes I am for it.

[Claim Jumper]

Originally Posted by Skifreak189

Even though I have never actually laid eyes on Wolf Creek, I would say leave it alone! Colorado already has enough cookie-cutter "Villages" at many of the ski hills. However, my hunch is that the forest service is going to let the land exchange happen, no matter how hard Colorado Wild and the Friends of Wolf Creek may fight it.

I saw a huge pile of logs / thousands, around 30 miles toward the pass leaving out of Monte Vista. Anyone know where and who's logging co. I saw or the story on why they are just lying around, what...drying out?

[Claim Jumper]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

Lets see how big is that development versus the millions of untouched acers in Colorado? Then how much money will it bring to Colorado including more tourism? That is good for the economy of that part of the state which needs a boost. So yes I am for it.

So your into a temp. fix? Everyone is experiencing hard times now...
That IMO be a long run disaster. I don't want to leave a concrete jungle and visit a wilderness jungle!

I say who would want to go see it then?
just my opinion