Things West Slopers don’t understand about the Front Range

[bartonizer]

Pretty amusing list (and true), but for the sake of some of the questions being asked here it should be pointed out that the Western Slope is generally a reference to a large geographic area west of the Continental Divide, and not limited to Grand Junction. Things like climate, access to some amenities- medical care, airports, etc. varies tremendously within this region!

[DurangoJoe]

Originally Posted by bartonizer

Pretty amusing list (and true), but for the sake of some of the questions being asked here it should be pointed out that the Western Slope is generally a reference to a large geographic area west of the Continental Divide, and not limited to Grand Junction. Things like climate, access to some amenities- medical care, airports, etc. varies tremendously within this region!

What he said. The western slope is a huge area and not just Grand Junction. Many counties make up the western slope and as far as not understanding the items on the list about the front range....... well I understand them pretty well. It's one of the reasons I live down here in LaPlata County.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by DurangoJoe

What he said. The western slope is a huge area and not just Grand Junction. Many counties make up the western slope and as far as not understanding the items on the list about the front range....... well I understand them pretty well. It's one of the reasons I live down here in LaPlata County.

As best as I can tell, the western slope, from the WY border to the NM border is a good 250 miles, which is more than the 225 miles from NYC to DC, i.e., that's a lot of territory. On the eastern side of the state, I-25 from NM to WY is about 300 miles but it's not a simple straight line.

[COcheesehead]

Not sure I get the point of pointing out what defines the West Slope, since what I listed applies to much of it.

[StealthRabbit]

It is a Front Range thing.... Colorado really means Denver. Just as Washington State only means Seattle, and Oregon means Portland. And Denmark means Copenhagen. Some residents can't grasp any different. It is their life, identity, and definition. Congrats on opening your horizons, most will never take that risk. Western slope is not perfect (as you acknowledged), and it has some variety and challenges. (Being recognized as Part of Colorado is one of those... +/-. Not sure if you really want to be associated! Like it or not... Much of your rules, barriers get erected in that place called Denver.

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

It is a Front Range thing.... Colorado really means Denver. Just as Washington State only means Seattle, and Oregon means Portland. And Denmark means Copenhagen. Some residents can't grasp any different. It is their life, identity, and definition. Congrats on opening your horizons, most will never take that risk. Western slope is not perfect (as you acknowledged), and it has some variety and challenges. (Being recognized as Part of Colorado is one of those... +/-. Not sure if you really want to be associated! Like it or not... Much of your rules, barriers get erected in that place called Denver.

What you say is true. West Slopers have a tradition of fighting for some recognition from the state government, but Denver will always take precedence.
It’s nice being out here. It feels a million miles away. Going to a winery release party this Friday. Will probably hike on Sat/Sun. Bike the day we don’t hike. Get some fresh, local produce. All within 20 minutes.
It’s not for everyone and frankly some don’t “get” it, but that’s Ok. I spent 25 years in Denver and we think it’s paradise.

BTW, this little fellow was just keeping me company on the patio.

[EastwardBound]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

It is a Front Range thing.... Colorado really means Denver. Just as Washington State only means Seattle, and Oregon means Portland. And Denmark means Copenhagen. Some residents can't grasp any different. It is their life, identity, and definition. Congrats on opening your horizons, most will never take that risk. Western slope is not perfect (as you acknowledged), and it has some variety and challenges. (Being recognized as Part of Colorado is one of those... +/-. Not sure if you really want to be associated! Like it or not... Much of your rules, barriers get erected in that place called Denver.

Funny, but true. For me, Colorado means everything outside Denver!

[otowi]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

It is a Front Range thing.... Colorado really means Denver.

Denverites really do have a Denver-centric view of what Colorado is. I think it is a big-city thing. Reminds me of this 1970s New Yorker cover of the New York city view of the US -

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by otowi

Denverites really do have a Denver-centric view of what Colorado is. I think it is a big-city thing. Reminds me of this 1970s New Yorker cover of the New York city view of the US -

That's funny. What's even funnier is that many NYC dwellers have no idea of how much beautiful country lies to their north in upstate NY.

[CatPeople]

Originally Posted by mtngigi

That's funny. What's even funnier is that many NYC dwellers have no idea of how much beautiful country lies to their north in upstate NY.

Plenty of NYC people at Bear Mt. in the summer. I am sure they have seen pictures of upstate, tough to explore with no car, but they get there somehow. The hike is 1,200 ft up, tough but doable for “most?” people, even city folk.

Plug for West Point. Went there years ago, no gate guard then, you could just walk around the buildings that are built like castles. Today, you need a photo ID to be an unescorted visitor.