Colorado DUers

[hlthe2b]

8. That is kind... As one on day 18 of the nearby High Park Fire--the largest

I can say I've heard every attitude possible. But, then I remember being in Old town Fort Collins a couple Sundays ago when the smoke was so thick most would think the town was burning and seeing countless fire departments from throughout the state and even WY and elsewhere represented as they drove through town--and the signs of people thanking these brave firefighters--even some writing it on the face masks they wore, I can't let the ugliness get to me. I have spent a bit of time at the "RANCH" --the place designated for horses and other animals to be sheltered and the evacuation centers, staffed by volunteers armed with the "kindness of strangers" and I am heartened.

I am out of the immediate risk area, but like everyone here I've choked on smoke and ash and comforted my share of friends/acquaintances who either lost their home or perhaps the little family cabin in the Poudre that has been in their family for many decades. Or, if "lucky" they will live out their lives in a home/cottage/cabin surrounded by blackened devastation, because those trees/forests are not coming back in their lifetime. Those who have experienced the beauty of these areas can not help but be saddened.

Some think of Colorado as the playground of the very wealthy--those who own the multi-million $$ homes near Aspen, Vail, Telluride. They aren't the ones affected--to any major degree--in these 10 fires raging through Colorado at present. And there is not way a fire is going to differentiate based on political views, either.

The entire state is affected--whether it be from the smoke choking the front range from the New Mexico border to Denver and north from Fort Collins to the Wyoming line. This can cause some very serious health impacts for many many people. And our economy is at risk of hits from loss of tourism and all the related industries. Not to mention the long term loss of natural resources on National Forest land that benefit us all.

So, I'm going to concentrate on those who live their progressive values and even quite a few who are here helping who in all likelihood are Republicans. This is a record-setting disaster to this region and I simply can't be bothered with those who want to exploit it to their own very narrow agenda.