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Parking problems and blowing dust

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Contributed by: Carla Falkenmayer on 3/12/2008

I read with some dismay the latest rants from Dave Hughes in YourHub, mostly because they seem ill-informed at best and downright silly at worst. Let's take the one about the Incline first.

As a former employee of the Cog Railway, I may be better informed than Mr. Hughes, and would like to correct the misconceptions put forth in his article. First, he perpetuates the popular myth that the Cog is owned by the Broadmoor. Oh dear. The Cog and the Broadmoor both, as I understand it, are owned by Oklahoma Publishing. Why Dave feels compelled to refer to that company in a derogatory fashion, as "that Oklahoma bunch" must be a matter between himself and the Gaylord family, who own Oklahoma Publishing.

Surely he is not suggesting that there is something worng, in this country that's built on capitalism and free enterprise, with a company from another state having interests here in Colorado. Gee, maybe that's how the Sherpas feel every time somebody from the US comes over and climbs up their mountain.

Dave also asserts that the Incline was closed "because it didn't make them enough money." Gee again, the Incline tracks kept washing out and it cost an awful lot to fix them and have it be safe, so finally a business decision was made to shut it down. If Starbucks finds that one of its myriad locations isn't producing anymore, they close it down in a heartbeat. Again, I fail to see Dave's objection there.

On to the subject of people training on the Incline. When I was employed there, we routinely turned people intending to hike the Incline away from parking in the Cog lots so that the paying passengers on the Cog could find parking. Any business has the right to reserve their parking area for their own customers. As Head Ticket agent for the Cog, I had many conversations with Incline trespassers (and yes, that's what they were) who were incensed that their vehicles had been locked in our lot when we closed at night. This, in spite of ample signage warning that this would occur, and ample signage on and near the Incline tracks warning people not to trespass, and of the dangers lurking there. The Cog management did all it could to discourage the practice, becaus it is unsafe, and people who trespass on private land and then fall and hurt themselves sometimes have a tendency to blame the owners of said land for their misfortune, rather than take responsibility for the fact that they are breaking the law by being there and were warned of the risk.

On to the boundaries of the Cog's land. Dave, if I want to know the boundaries of your private property, I am not going to go ask CSPD what they are, I am going to call you up and ask you, or at least do some research in public records and find out. I'm sure the General Manager of the Cog, Mr. Spencer Wren, would be happy to show you where the property line runs if you would have the courtesy to ask.

That said, what the situation on Hydro St. has to do with all this is a mystery to me, other than the fact the there's no place to park if the trailhead parking for the Barr Trail is full. And as for "who forced those chose to live on Hydro St. to move there?" Good grief - who forced you to live where you live? No force involved anywhere there. A lot is for sale, a person buys it and builds a house, all legal and aboveboard.

Again, Dave, what's your objection? Oh, right, it's an inconvenience for you because you have some God-given right to train yourself to climb up Mt. Everst. Excuse me while I get my laughter under control. If you chose to go to Everest - more power to you, but neither the Cog Railway or the people who chose to live on Hydro St. have any legal or moral obligation to help you do that. The "greedy" Broadmoor (a bit emotional about it, aren't we?) has no obligation to support your desire to climb mountains either, nor does the Broadmoor have any control over the situation. Bottom line, the Barr trail is open to all, and if you have to park farther down on Ruxton, why complain about hiking to the trailhead when you're there to hike anyway? A little extra training never hurts.

The Incline is on private property, so anyone who ignores or defies the signs posted is committing a crime, plain and simple. And, they're interfering with the ability of paying customers of the Cog to park at the business they choose to patronize. End of story. I have heard that Mr. Wren is trying to find solutions to all of this in order to "support the public interest" - I guess he's just not moving fast enough for Dave.

On to the Gold Hill piece, which really scared me. I'd like to see some scientific evidence that it's safe to live on that hill. I' ve lived in this town for 30 years and have heard all the stories. City Councilman Tom Gallagher might be willing to talk about his family's experiences with health problems while they were living in the A-1 Trailer Park at the base of all that runoff, but maybe Dave has never asked him.

An interesting rumor I've heard, and I make sure to say that I have no facts to substantiate this, but have heard it from several sources, is that the folks who live in those houses will be warned not to grow vegetables, xeriscape their yards, and if they do grow grass, don't let their children play on it. Sure, that could be an exaggeration, but I'd like to see some science before I would ever consider living over there. I'm right in that area, so the blowing dust is of great concern to me and has been for years. Bill Vogins' language may be alarmist, but so is Dave's language.

Never been any news reports or pronouncments from officials? Of course there were, and it seems to me it was even mentioned in the Westside Story, the used-to-be monthly newsletter of OWN. Oh, by the way, I'm a former Board member of OWN, not that this makes me an expert on anything, but it sure does make me a concerned citizen with her ears open.

Why is this issue of concern to Dave Hughes? Why does he apparently want everyone to believe that eveything is hunky-dory up there, and perfectly safe? Reminds me of the dentist who says I might feel a little discomfort. Dave says he was involved in the project to reclaim any remaining gold back in 1976. Thiry-two years ago? And he's still upset about it? And sure, an isolated windstorm might be "brief exposure" but if it happens every day over a period of thirty years or so, how brief is that? And how dangerous? Doesn't sound like he has any real facts to back this all up.

I'm all in favor of people sounding off and verting their opinions, but let's be sure to say things like, "This is my opinion" or, "I'm upset about this because..." or maybe even, "I don't have all the facts". It's irresponsible for someone like Dave, who is well respected and considered knowedgable about local affairs, to spout off like this, because many will believe he's right. Unfortunately, he's not.

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Showing 1-6 of 6 comments

Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 3/12/2008 @ 3:02:59 PM

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Yes, BECAUSE the State and Feds did their Science about the possible toxins in the tailings, homeowners are not supposed to grow plants whos roots go below the topsoil. And any potential homeowners are required to read those 'environmental' reports before committing ot buy. Well guess what? Those who now live there DID examine the evidence, and decided there IS NO REAL RISK and so bought. I rest my case about the Toxic (meaning in Carla's vocabulary 'dangerous') Myth of Gold Hill Mesa. As for my language - AFTER I do my homework, I state my opinions and assertions up front and clearly. And don't muffle them with maybe's and perhaps. If you don't like my opinions you can express your own - as Carla AND I have.

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 3/12/2008 @ 2:55:29 PM

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And since Carla has lumped the Manitou Parking and Gold Hill Mesa issues together, I might ask Tom Gallagher why HE bought into that Trailer Park right next to Gold Hill Mesa. Why, if it was going to give him health problems did he move there?

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 3/12/2008 @ 2:51:52 PM

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As for who made me buy my property - on 24th street in Old Colorado City? Nobody. I examined it thoroughly BEFORE I bought it, estimating how much problem I might have by people close to Bancroft Park parking right in front of my house. I accepted the risk and inconvenience. But the Hydro Street people NOW want GOVERNMENT to change the rules for JUST THEM.

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 3/12/2008 @ 2:47:25 PM

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Oh yes I went to the MSPD for the map OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT-A-WAY, which IT is charged to police (including illegal parking). To find out *exactly* where the public CAN park. Not where the Cog private boundaries are. And oh yes, all those terrible dangers if the hikers dare to step or park on ANY of the precious COG/Gaylord/Broadmoor/Oklahoma Pub property. Smokescreen. Carla writes as if the 'rights' of the Cog PAYING passengers is supreme. The non-paying Hikers can just go to h___.

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 3/12/2008 @ 2:40:22 PM

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As for the Incline, sure Gaylord shut it down as a 'business' decision. But THEN trying to prohibit hikers from using it for power climbing is even more lousy anti-community behavior. Why? Because they are afraid of Liabilities if anyone gets hurt. Again the almighty Gaylord $$$$$. Why hasn't Gaylord long since GIVEN the incline to the US Forest Service, OR a non profit Climbing outfit? Why are they tying it, a hard-hikers climb. Again, the hell with the public - its just Gaylord/Oklahoma Pub/Broadmoor/Cog me, me, me. Of course she couches all this in 'private business' terms, with NO consideration for ANYTHING else.

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 3/12/2008 @ 2:31:53 PM

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For starters, yes I have read the 'Rant' by Carla above about my opinions, which I will defend. Of course with this busted HUB software that only permits responses of 1,000 'characters' or less, I will have to make a whole series. For starters, Olkahoma Publishing owns BOTH the Broadmoor and the Cog and owned the Incline. Which means Gaylord at the top of that pile runs everything. And my criticism of it (and him) stands. Gaylord/Broadmoor/Oklahoma Pun is ONLY driven by business considerations. NOT IN ANY WAY BY COMMUNITY CONCERNS!

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Showing 1-6 of 6 comments