Disparaging comment about Denver people (Boulder, Craig: transporting, home, theater)

[bostonguy1960]

I talked to somebody last week in my cab in Boston, briefly talking about various cities. When I mentioned I've thought of moving to Denver for several years, he asked if I've ever visited Denver.

I told him no, but the convention and visitor's bureau catalogues I've had mailed to me the past few years obviously made it look appealing.

He cleared his throat, then told me he doesn't know how to describe Denver in a pc way, but then called it "white trash and hillbillies...many people without teeth."

I was shocked, as I'd never heard this about Denver; I've talked with many people in recent years about your city, and usually receive positive feedback, save for the occasional cowtown, or it'll never be world class (from a central Mass. transplant of 20 years) comments.

I do read here and elsewhere that the public schools in Colorado are not that good, and the ducated people one meets in Denver are college grads from other states. Perhaps? But then he should have also noted that, no?

Hmm...he even targeted Boulder as uneducated. I mentioned that perhaps Boulderand Denver may attract aging hippies who don't present well but are otherwise educated. No, he claimed.

He was a well-travelled, artsy type ( likely gay) black male about 30 years old, for what it's worth.

I even received an e-mail from a Craigslist post last year from a Columbia University (NYC) grad with a ph.D, complaining how his educational credentials are wasted in your city. He's from Worcester. Mass., 45 miles from Boston. Few people would recognize Columbia in Colorado, I admit.

Yet, my impression of Denver is young, fit and educated people.

Again, hmm...

[vegaspilgrim]

I could easily deconstruct every one of those attacks you have heard, but really, it's all about pompousness, ignorance, and jealousy. To those snobby elitist east coasters you're talking about, I say eff'em. Who needs 'em? Just goes to show how dumb the so called edjamucated can really be. Secure people can live full, meaningful, productive lives without needing the validation of others.

[Katarina Witt]

Just don't believe everything you hear.

[Dorthy]

Lol!

When I moved to Colorado from the east coast I was absolutely blown away by the misconceptions that east coasters had about Colorado. It was like people had watched one too many old west movies and they didn't understand that Colorado was a part of modern day society.

I find it completely ridiculous to even think that that few people in Colorado would recognize Columbia University. That would be like saying that east coasters have probably never even heard of Stanford since it's all the way on the west coast.

C'mon.

[COMP33SN]

I had to laugh when I read this because it is so opposite how I would describe Denver. As for Boulder, it is home to CU-Boulder, one of the best known schools in this region. Perhaps he had the misfortune of transporting students around who were on something other than their best behavior - I would contend Boulder, with its very high cost of living, is quite educated, and well cared for medically.

Denver too has 600K in the city, take the suburbs into account, and that number jumps to nearly 2 million - so we are far from hillbillies and toothless joes. Denver's social scene is thriving, everything from pubs and great restaurants to arts and theater.

Like others have said, don't believe everything you hear.

[Katarina Witt]

My kids went to college out of state, one to Minnesota and one to Indiana. People asked them the nuttiest questions, e.g. "do you ski to school?", "do you ride horses to school?", etc. They were surprised to find my kids were pretty much suburban mall rats!

[DenverAztec]

Actually nearly, if not over, 3 million COMP33SN, when you toss in the burbs.

What did you say this guy did for a living, drove cabs, yet was an expert on Denver. Or you met him in a cab?

[renovating]

Hi! I just saw this when I signed on but I wanted to tell you that I am from New England and I have never heard anything like that about people from Denver!!!!

Actually, just the opposite....down to earth, friendly people!!!

I have read a lot of ridiculous stuff on here....and people just looking to start something on here, too!

Just laugh it off!

[whoisjongalt]

What planet was that guy from? That's like me saying that Boston is weird because they all wear powdered wigs and the cobblestones are hard on your feet.

[bhcompy]

East Coasters are arrogant about their urban areas and their culture, which is drastically different than anywhere out west except maybe San Fran. Of course they're going to demean Denver as podunk, it's their nature.