To all yuppies destroying Colorado (Denver, Fort Collins: maintenance, condos, income)

[whymsy2008]

Okay, now this is going to be "politically incorrect" for me to say this. Afterall, nowadays we're too often told what we can say, think, etc. God forbid you offend someone, but I am offended at what's taking place in Colorado. I am from Fort Collins, born and raised there, and I am appalled at what's happening to Colorado in general. I seriously doubt this post will make any ounce of difference because people are determined to move to Colorado (yuppy thing to do). I just want to vent my frustration at what you're turning my hometown into, and with no regard whatsoever for the destruction you are causing. So many of you with your "trophy" homes taking up every hillside available, and the view I once appreciated of the Rockies is now instead blocked by the hideous landscape of Super Walmarts, office buildings, hospitals (because the area is too overrun to accomodate all that are coming here). You cannot even get down College Avenue anymore because of all the people. Fort Collins was once just a little college town in which I have always considered my home. I am now twenty-nine years old, and in that time I have seen Fort Collins go from just a small city with a sweet charm, to a "YUPPY OASIS". Yes, I am well aware that things change, but why change for the worse? People gravitate to Fort Collins because of that charm, but it is rapidly turning into a not so pleasant place to be. Many of the natives are moving out these days. I am tired of the rude behavior I run into in the stores I shop at. It's not that hard to say excuse me, or wait your turn. Also that thing to the left of your steering wheel. It's called a turn signal. Might be wise to use it more often. It's called manners. Yes,change is inevitable, but it makes me sad to see all of this happening so fast. My grandfather used to run a restaraunt from what is now Walrus Ice Cream back in the 1940's, my great-grandparents farmed land to the north of Fort Collins in the early 1900's. They were hardworkers, and were appreciative and respectful of that land. It was their livelihood. Now every ounce of land is being made into a mecca of more places to spend money, more condos, more track homes.

My family history runs very deep in this area, and it took the work of the people like my grandparents to help shape what this area is today. So remember that. Show some respect for the land and the people, some of us were here first.

[j1n]

hey whymsy2008...
i hear ya to a certain extent. i feel your pain. but it really is the same all over. it's just a part of getting older and growing up - that we see what we hold close begin to change. sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. the turn signal thing? it's all over. the rudeness? unfortunately rampant.

[hello-world]

Originally Posted by j1n

hey whymsy2008...
i hear ya to a certain extent. i feel your pain. but it really is the same all over. it's just a part of getting older and growing up - that we see what we hold close begin to change. sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. the turn signal thing? it's all over. the rudeness? unfortunately rampant.

i agree some of it has to do with the "natural course" (which isn't always so "natural") and age. but i'm not so sure that it's "the same all over". it's the same in many places, but not all over from what i see. i think that some places permit more rampant overrunning by the interests that make a buck from overdevelopment (and sometimes the cheapest overdevelopment they can get away with). and some places attract and retain a more "me" mentality. not that that is necessarily the case with ft collins, but i think that is happening to some places around the country not unlike some of the front range "i25 corridor". there are other places that do not allow for or foster so much of this. i think some politics have to do with it. i think some culture has to do with it. and i think those can feed off of one another so that there are places that become spoiled.

[mjjjracing]

Hello after living in Denver for 10 years and moving to the Springs for 13 years I find myself living in Pueblo West to get away from the Yuppies and in the near future we will be moving to Rye colorado to even furthur ourselfs from the same thing that you are describing,I can remember when Fort Collins was a small farming community and when they built the Budwieser brewery it was out away from everything ,now there are houses and buisnesses right up to the front door ,we will change our lifestyles for the better ,because we do not want to go through what you are describing,Just MY Opinion

[gimme it]

This happened to where I grew up, so I moved away. They started building on every free inch of space. Go find a place that will fit your present needs.

[Averie-Jay]

I respect your opinion, Whymsy. I'd just like to say, as a compliment to you and your city, that when I visited Fort Collins a month ago I found everyone to be exceedingly friendly. I loved your town, and although I'm sure that it isn't what it once was, I'd be proud to call it my home.

[vfrpilot]

I just want to vent my frustration at what you're turning my hometown into, and with no regard whatsoever for the destruction you are causing. So many of you with your "trophy" homes taking up every hillside available, and the view I once appreciated of the Rockies is now instead blocked by the hideous landscape of Super Walmarts, office buildings, hospitals (because the area is too overrun to accomodate all that are coming here).

Vent away. But this can be said for EVERY area that has any potential. And there was always someone there before you that can 'vent' about the changes that occured after you got there.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by vfrpilot

Vent away. But this can be said for EVERY area that has any potential. And there was always someone there before you that can 'vent' about the changes that occured after you got there.

[livecontent]

Let see if I can make sense of this post--a "native" ,whatever that means, is upset because people, so called "yuppies" are moving into the area.

Yes, many people are moving to this area. Many people are different because they have different experience from being educated, raised in many parts of the country and the world. Many have tremendous skills and attributes--that is why they are called "yuppies" as in "young urban professional". These are creative people who bring jobs, industry, tax dollars, growth and improvement and sophistication in the arts and industry in an area. They bring diversity and an understanding of tolerance for many different people of value.

At the same time--many of these young creative people bring aggression and a large ego. They have good buying power and offend the status quo of the people who are already encamped with their affluent lifestyle and their ostentatious consumption. They spread out into rural areas and acquire land and resources that for years have not been utilized; they overcome other "income makers" because they can afford to take over the resources and "buy the farmer out".

Now we have the embittered "locals" and "natives" who claim priority ownership and prime consideration because they "have been here first". And in this case we have a young 29 year old who claims more rights because of his long residency and his family history. I have been here for almost 30 years?? Do I have more of a claim as the 29 year old?? I think not. We are same, whether I am new here or been here longer then him.

So who is right, is he right, does he have a grievance?? I think not, if he lives in this society which espouses free enterprise and the concentration of wealth in a capitalistic society. So, his claim to primal rights of first claim does not apply in this society and certainly would not apply if the capitalistic idea was abandoned.

Do the yuppies add value. They certainly do. I come from an area in Western New York, near Buffalo, where very few of these creative people move. The area has economically and socially decayed, taxes are high, social programs are diminished, schools are closing, hospitals are closing, there is not enough money for civil maintenance--there are no new ideas; there are no industries; there are no new jobs----but there is cheap land, cheap housing and fewer people. Is this not the type of existence you want?? The new frontier of Western New York is waiting for you???

So relax young "native". The yuppies will get old, their arrogance and ego will be dulled, they will get old and pass away but they will have brought to this area prosperity, wealth, and betterment of culture and understanding of diversity. And you will get old and so you will pass away but do not leave without contributing more then criticism.

I was once considered a YUPPIE. Now, I think I will considered myself a MUFFIE--that is "a middle aged urban failure" soon to be a OUFFIE--an "old aged urban failure". It is a nice acceptable comfortable existence--no more competition; no more stress. My ego and aggression have passed away and so shall I someday.

That is why I

Livecontent

[Averie-Jay]

Originally Posted by Charles

Charles, where do you get your sense of humor? You're the kind of guy I wish were at all of my family reunions, office parties, and various other unpleasant functions.