an evening with john fielder - sierra club · pharmcrops coming to colorado ... wind turbines has...

Genetic Engineering Conference

Join the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the SierraClub in welcoming one of our favorite photog-raphers, John Fielder, to a special fundraisingevent just for us! John is an acclaimed photog-rapher of several books, including Colorado:1870-2000, Along the Colorado Trail, Colorado’sCanyon Country: A Guide to Hiking andFloating BLM Wildlands, and his most recentwork, John Fielder’s Best of Colorado. OurTuesday night event will incorporate slides andcommentary from John on his Best of Coloradopublication. John’s books will be on sale after

the event and he will be on hand to autographthem too so do not forget to bring your check-book!

This special event is taking place on Tuesday

night, April 29th at 7 p.m. over at CameronUnited Methodist Church in Washington Park.The church is located at 1600 S. Pearl Street.Parking is available in the church lot and off-street. Tickets will be sold at the door. Theywill be priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Rocky MountainChapter of the

Sierra Club

Volume XXXVII—No. 2 April/May/June 2003

AN EVENING WITH JOHN FIELDER

– Photo by John Fielder

Participants in the Rocky Mountain Chapter Genetic Engineering Committee listen to a presentation by Ship Spitzer from the Pesticide Action Network of North America.

In February, the Colorado Departmentof Agriculture held public meetings inMontrose and Akron, to “gauge publicreaction” to growing “pharmcrops”-plants like corn and soybeans that aregenetically engineered to make drugslike hepatitis vaccine and contracep-tives - in Colorado. Right out in theopen, where children and wildlife canwalk into the fields. Where drug-con-taining pollen can blow in the wind,contaminating soil and irrigation water.And pharmcrops can pollinate fields ofcorn meant for our dinner tables. TheDepartment of Agriculture said theyexpect to see applications to growpharmcrops here in time for the 2004growing season.

Amazingly, the Colorado TechnicalAlliance, an agency created 15 monthsago by Governor Owens to further thebiotech industry, thinks this is a goodidea. Terry Huffine, president of theAlliance says: “A lot of people are say-ing Colorado is a perfect fit for this.” And, the U.S. Department ofAgriculture (USDA) thinks movingpharmcrops to Colorado is a good ideatoo. Thats because last Fall, biotechcompany ProdiGene contaminated500,000 bushels of Nebraska soybeanswith a drug-corn filled with a vaccineagainst diarrhea in pigs. And, 125 acresof Iowa food corn had to be destroyedafter it was pollinated by another standof the same crop, again made byProdiGene. They hope such contami-

nation wont happen here. USDA bragged about how “the sys-

tem works” because it got lucky andcaught the mistakes, and slappedProdigene with a $250,000 fine. Butwe learned this week that secretly,USDA gave ProdiGene a no-interestloan so they could pay off the fine! Ofcourse, if ProdiGene goes out of busi-ness, taxpayers will be stuck with thebill. Clearly both the biotech industryand their regulators are out of control.

Now USDA is proposing to“strengthen” its field trial requirements.You can read the proposed “stronger”requirements, which still allow pharm-crops to be planted out-of-doors, andin food crops, athttp://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html

Tell USDA this is a really bad idea!Drugs dont belong in our food!Pharmcrops will contaminate Coloradoproduce, soil, water and air. They willinjure wildlife, and expose anyone whobreathes their pollen, including thefarmers who grow them, to powerfuldrugs.

Send your comments to: Docket No.03-031-1, Regulatory Analysis andDevelopment, PPD, APHIS, Station3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118,Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Be sure to state that your commentrefers to Docket No. 03-031-1.

Pharmcrops Coming to Colorado by Susanne Wuerthele, Genetic Engineering Committe Chair

Ten Reasons Things Aren’t as Bad as They Seem1. Americans support environmental values. By a two-to-one margin, a New

York Times/CBS News poll (November 29, 2002) found that Americanssay that protecting the environment is more important than producingenergy.

2. Campaign finance reform kicked in on November 6. When the polls closedat midnight on November 5, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, whichwill prevent polluting industries from dumping unlimited “soft money”into electoral campaigns, went into effect. The law, which passed in March,is a critical first step toward giving power back to voters.

3. Demand for hybrid cars soars. Toyota has already sold more than 100,000Priuses, and a recent auto industry survey found that 60 percent of con-sumers were considering hybrids for their next car.

4. Wind energy is becoming economically competitive with coal. Accordingto Stanford University energy experts Mark Z. Jacobson and Gilbert M.Masters (Science, August 24, 2001), “The direct cost of energy from largewind turbines has dropped to 3 to 4 cents per kilowatt-hour, comparablewith that from new pulverized-coal power plants. Given that health andenvironmental costs of coal are another 2 to 4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour,wind energy is unequivocally less expensive than is coal energy.”

5. BP backs off from Arctic. In November, the largest oil producer in Alaska,BP, withdrew from Arctic Power, a lobbying group dedicated to oil drillingin the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

continued on page 6

Listservers

Let Your Legislators Know What YOU Think!

Peak & Prairie 2

Peak & PrairieApril/May/June 2003 issue

Volume 36 – Number 7Printed by Barnum Printing

on recycled paper.

Published bimonthly by the ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

OF THE SIERRA CLUB1410 Grant Street, Suite B303

Denver, CO 80203303-861-8819

303-861-2436 (FAX)

[email protected]

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL OFFICE2260 Baseline Rd., Suite 105

Boulder, CO 80302303-449-5595

303-449-6520 (FAX)

To notify us of your address change, call the office or e-mail us [email protected].

Editorial StaffEditor Karen [email protected]

Layout EditorRyan [email protected]

Conservation Editor/Ex-Com ContactKirk [email protected]

Photo EditorMark [email protected]

Advertising ManagerMatt [email protected]

SUBMISSIONSDEADLINE

for July/August/September2003 issue

Friday, May 27, 2003E-mail submissions as

attachments to [email protected]

using the following criteria:articles & letters:

Text Only (.txt) or Rich Text (.rtf)

photos: .TIF or .JPG (150-200 DPI)

graphs & graphics:.EPS

or send to chapter office.

Articles: 500 words or LESS

Letters to the Editor:200 words or LESS

Chapter ContactsRocky Mountain ChapterOfficers & Ex-Com MembersGreg Casini* – Chair 303-861-2844John Zwierzycki – Vice Chair 970-375-9584Mark Collier – Treasurer 303-443-5482Roger Wendell – Secretary 206-202-2212Kirk Cunningham – Conservation Chair 303-939-8519Ramon Ajero* 970-226-4126Anne Cain* 719-489-2056Todd Chamberlin* 720-406-0155Kathy Glatz* 303-922-3425Tony Ruckel* 303-796-0654Larry Skiffington* 719-685-9365

*At-Large Ex-Com Members

Group Delegate Ex-Com MembersBlue River – Elaine Bennett 970-468-0100Enos Mills – JoLynn Jarboe 303-753-0470High Plains – OPENIndian Peaks – Macon Cowles 303-447-3062Mt Evans – Ed Lambert 303-674-0459Pikes Peak – Jennie Crystle 719-685-9644Poudre Canyon – Mark Easter 970-224-9214Rachel Carson – Roger Wendell 206-202-2212Sangre de Cristo – Bob Cain 719-489-2056South Platte – Don TeRonde 303-683-1880

Trappers Lake – Rich Levy 970-871-8799Uncompahgre – Eric Rechel 970-242-4863Weminuche – John Zwierzycki 970-375-9584Chapter Conservation Chair–

Kirk Cunningham 303-939-8519

Ecosystems ClusterMining – Rob Corkran 970-225-3713National Forests – Marty Walter 303-447-2059

– Scott Hatfield 303-413-1516Public Lands – Clee Seeling 970-858-9659Water Resources – Steve Glazer 970-349-6646Wilderness – Mark Pearson 970-259-6181Wildlife – Mike Smith 303-530-2646

Pollution ClusterAir Quality – Bill Myers 303-935-6810Environmental Justice – Kathy Glatz 303-922-3425Federal Facilities – Ross Vincent 719-561-3117Genetic Engin. – Suzanne Wuerthele 303-333-2519Hazardous Materials – Joan Seeman 303-738-8407Lowry AFB – Anne Callison 303-331-0704

– Joan Seeman 303-738-8407Pesticides – Angela Medbery 303-433-2608Pueblo Depot – Ross Vincent 719-561-3117Rocky Flats – Bill Kossack 303-464-1833

Rocky Mtn Arsenal – Sandy Horrocks 303-470-1352Water Quality – Kirk Cunningham 303-939-8519

Public Policy/Personal Choices ClusterAgriculture – OPENEnergy – Greg Casini 303-861-2844International / Trade – Robert Cohen 303-443-4884Lifestyles Education – JoLynn Jarboe 303-753-0470

– Mary Ramano 303-388-0911Population – Fred Elbel 303-220-7499Solid Waste – Cherie Trine 970-472-9828Transportation – OPEN

Other CommitteesLegislative – Kirpal Singh 303-871-6779Membership – OPENOutings – Patricia Berman 303-691-9255Political – Peggy Malchow 303-744-1684Volunteer Development 303-861-8819Webmaster – Todd Hollar 303-282-8422

[email protected] – Mark Collier 303-443-5482

[email protected]

U.S. SENATESen. A. Wayne Allard (R)525 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510202-224-5941, 202-224-6471 (fax)719-634-6071 (Colorado Springs)303-220-7414 (Denver)970-245-9553 (Grand Junction)970-461-3530 (Loveland)719-545-9751 (Pueblo)www.senate.gov/~allard/Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R)380 Russell Senate Office Bldg.Washington, DC 20510202-224-5941, 202-228-4609 (fax)719-542-6987 (Pueblo)970-241-6631 (Grand Junction)303-843-4100 (Greenwood Village)970-206-1788 (Ft. Collins)719-636-9092 (Colorado Springs)970-385-9877 (Durango)www.senate.gov/~campbell/U.S. House of RepsDistrict 1 (Denver)Rep. Diana DeGette (D)1530 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515-0601202-225-4431, 202-225-5657 (fax)303-844-4988 (Denver)www.house.gov/degette/District 2 (Boulder, NW suburbs, Clear Creek, Gilpin)Rep. Mark Udall (D)115 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515-0602202-225-2161, 202-226-7840 (fax)303-650-7820 (Westminster)www.house.gov/udall/

District 3 (western Colorado and Pueblo)Rep. Scott McInnis (R)320 Cannon BuildingWashington, DC 20515202-225-4761, 202-226-0622 (fax)719-543-8200 (Pueblo)970-245-7107 (Grand Junction)970-259-2754 (Durango)970-928-0637 (Glenwood Springs)www.house.gov/mcinnis/District 4 (Ft Collins, Greeley, eastern Colorado)Rep. Marilyn N. Musgrave (R) 1208 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515-0604202-225-4676, 202-225-5870 (fax)970-663-3536 (Loveland)www.house.gov/musgrave/District 5 (Colorado Springs)Rep. Joel Hefley (R)2372 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515202-225-4422, 202-225-1942 (fax)719-520-0055 (Colorado Springs)http://www.house.gov/hefley/District 6 (south suburbs: Littleton, Aurora, etc.)Rep. Thomas Tancredo (R)1130 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515-0606202-225-7882720-283-9773 (Centennial)www.house.gov/tancredo/District 7 (Brighton, Golden, Wheatridge, ,Commerce City, Lakewood)Rep. Bob Beauprez (R)511 Cannon House Office Building,Washington, DC 20515202-225-2645http://www.house.gov/beauprez/

HOW DO I JOIN A LIST?Send an e-mail message to [email protected]. In the

body of the message, put the command SUBSCRIBE listname yourname

Example: Subscribe RMC-CONS-COMM Jane DoeThe example above would subscribe Jane Doe to the Rocky

Mountain Chapter conservation committee discussion list. After you send in your subscription request, you'll get a mes-

sage back asking you to confirm your e-mail subscription message(this is to discourage spammers who subscribe to lists solely toharvest addresses). Merely respond to that message with the wordOK, and you're on the [email protected] RMC Conserv. Alerts [email protected] Sierra Club RMC [email protected] BRG Conserv. [email protected] Blue River Group [email protected]@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG [email protected]@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORGRMC-CONS-PEST@[email protected] RMC Population Com. [email protected] [email protected]@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORGRMC-CONS-WILDLIFE@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORGRMC-EMG-ACTIVISTS@[email protected] EMG Cons. Alerts [email protected] Enos Mills Group [email protected]@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG RMC Ex-com [email protected] RMC Ex-com poll RMC-FUND [email protected] RMC Fund raising [email protected] RMC GLS Alerts List [email protected] HPG Cons. Alerts [email protected] High Plains Group [email protected] High Plains Group [email protected] Indian Peaks Group

[email protected] IPG [email protected] IPG [email protected] IPG Ex-Com [email protected] RMC Info. Tech. Com. RMC-LEGISLATIVE-ANNOUNCE@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORGRMC-LEGISLATIVE-COMM@[email protected] MEG Cons. [email protected] Mt. Evans Group [email protected] MSG Cons. Alerts [email protected] Mt. Sopris Group [email protected] RMC Outings list [email protected] P & P Newsletter [email protected] PCG announce [email protected] PCG Cons. Com. [email protected] Poudre Canyon Group core [email protected] PPG Cons. Alerts [email protected] Pikes Peak Group [email protected] RCG Cons. Alerts [email protected] Rachel Carson Group [email protected]

Rachel Carson Group Rocky Flats Coalition [email protected] RMC Retreat Committee [email protected] [email protected] RMC Political Committee [email protected] SDCG Cons. Alerts [email protected] SDCG [email protected] Sangre De Cristo [email protected] Sierra Club [email protected] [email protected] SPG Cons. Alerts [email protected] South Platte Group [email protected] Sprawl discussion list [email protected] TLG Cons. Alerts [email protected] Trappers Lake Group [email protected] UG Cons. Alerts [email protected] Uncompahgre Group [email protected] UG open list [email protected] RMC Group Vitality Com. [email protected] Weminuche Group [email protected] Weminuche Group [email protected] Weminuche Group

COLORADO

EXECUTIVE BRANCHBill Owens, Governor (R) 303-866-2471136 State CapitolDenver, CO [email protected]/gov_dir/governor_office.htmlLt. Governor Norton (R) 303-866-2087Secretary of State Davidson (R) 303-894-2200Treasurer Coffman (R) 303-866-2441Attorney General Salazar (D) 303-866-4500

LEGISLATIVE BRANCHColorado SENATESenate President John Andrews (R) 303-866-3342President Pro Tem Ken Chlouber (R) 303-866-4869Majority Leader Norma Anderson (R) 303-866-4859Minority Leader Joan Fitz-Gerald (D) 303-866-4873

Colorado House of RepsSpeaker of the House Lola Spradley (R) 303-866-2346Majority Leader Keith King (R) 303-866-2348Minority Leader Jennifer Veiga (D) 303-866-5523

Capitol Mailing Address:Colorado State Capitol200 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80203

COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE (DOW)Russell George, Director

6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216Phone: 303-297-1192 (M-F 8am-5pm MST)Fax: 303-294-0874E-mail: [email protected]

Sierra Club JoinsFasTracks CampaignColorado is at a critical juncture where we must

choose between two alternative futures: one where thestate continues to experience out of control growth andtraffic or one where the long- term visions that citizenshave for their communities are realized through theimplementation of thoughtful transportation andgrowth management policies.

Projections show that Colorado will increase itspopulation by more than one third over the next 20

years. About half of the population growth in the state has occurred and will con-tinue to occur in the Denver region. Low density sprawl is consuming the region’sopen lands at a rate that will double the amount of developed land by 2025, androads are being built in fringe areas rather than utilizing more efficient land use pat-terns, urban centers, and transit corridors. As a result, traffic is rising at twice therate of population growth — lengthening commute times and increasing air pollu-tion.

However, Coloradans have a unique opportunity in 2003 to begin addressingthese problems by establishing a long-term funding source to achieve the largesttransit system in the country since the construction of the Washington, D.C. metrosystem. This buildout project, called "FasTracks," would reap enormous benefits inthe Denver metro area by reducing traffic congestion and associated air pollution,promoting livable, transit-oriented communities, and guiding new developmenttowards the existing metro area rather than sprawling out into rural landscapes.

The Sierra Club is joining the Colorado Campaign for Transportation Choices, ajoint project with the Colorado Public Interest Research Foundation, ColoradoEnvironmental Coalition and Center for Regional and Neighborhood Action. Wewill facilitate the achievement of the FasTracks vision through a public outreach andcoalition building effort that will educate the public about the benefits of transit andcreate a diverse alliance of interests dedicated to bringing more transit to the metroregion.

Sierra Club members and volunteers will play a key role in identifying commu-nity leaders to join in efforts to increase and improve our transit systems. We willalso assist other organizations in the distribution of materials, attendance at educa-tional events, and other activities to educate citizens.

Because of the Sierra Club’s large membership base and history of local activism,we can provide both professional experience and volunteer "foot-soldiers" for theseefforts. To learn more about FasTracks, or to become active in the Campaign forTransportation Choices, contact Susan LeFever at slefever@vanion .com or 303-861-2844.

3 April/May/June 2003

There are alternatives to soot, smog, and smokestacks. Today,proven technologies are available to address our energy needs effi-ciently, without compromising either our health or our environment.Support a brighter future for energy. Join the Sierra Club.

VIEW FROM

THE CHAIR

Greg CasiniRMC Chair

What’s going on in theRMC office

During the Spring and Summer, more people get out-side to enjoy the beauty of Colorado. So too does theChapter Office. During the Spring and Summermonths, you will often find us at outdoor events talk-ing about renewable energy and transportation choices.

This year, we are planning to participate in the EarthDay at Chatfield Reservoir, the Race to Stop GlobalWarming, the People’s Fair, and the Boulder CreekFestival. What a fun time to meet people, get outdoors, and talk about ourimportant issues! If you would like to volunteer for a two-hour shift, callLibby at 303-861-8819 or email [email protected].

We’re also working to build up our Transportation Committee to sup-port the work of the Chapter’s new Transportation Organizer. Our firstmeeting was March 27 in between Denver and Boulder at the WestminsterLibrary. If you would like to help promote transit, we’d sure like you tojoin us! Send me an e-mail at [email protected]. Be a Part ofOur Chapter's Success.

We need volunteers to help make a difference for the environment inColorado. You can help by joining one of these committees:

• Newsletter Editor• Finance Committee• Volunteer Fair Committee• Transportation Committee• Auction Committee• Staff Management Committee• Outings Committee• Energy Committee

For information, contact Libby Tart at 303-861-8819 [email protected].

Susan LeFeverChapter Director

Peak & Prairie 4

Please join the RockyMountain Chapter of theSierra Club as we conductour Fourth Annual WildPlaces, Open SpacesAuction on Friday,

September 12th, 2003, atthe Brown Palace Hotel inDenver. Join us for one ofour most successful andmarvelously FUNfundraisers of the year!

Sierra Club members andfriends dine on a deliciousgourmet meal and bid onitems ranging from bedand breakfast getaways tosnowshoes. Please be onthe lookout for more infor-mation on the auction andticket sales beginning inJuly.

Interested in obtainingtickets or in helping outwith the Auction? Pleasecall or write Libby Tart at303-861-8819 [email protected]

and she can help you out.

Save the Date! Fourth Annual Auction on September 12th

From the Field...Plan ahead for Forest Fire Season!First let me say, ithas been a pleas-ure working withall the RockyMountainChapter membersand I am gratefulfor the warm hos-pitality that folkshave given me inthe past few months. I have enjoyed get-ting to know all the members Libby & Imet during the Tour de Snow and lookforward to continuing those relation-ships and starting new ones.

As summer approaches I have beenreading a lot about the drought’s impacton our forests and am doing everything Ican to encourage our members to pre-pare their homes & communities for theupcoming fire season. Protecting com-munities and homes FIRST is the SierraClub’s number one priority this fire sea-son. We are looking to educate mem-bers, activists and local communitiesabout the importance of creating defen-sible space, how it is done and when youshould do it. To show our commitmentto these principles, the Club in conjunc-tion with the Blue River Group, theSummit County Fire Mitigation Officer,

the State Forest Service and a localhomeowners association will be conduct-ing the following activities in May &June:

Distributing Forest fire protection lit-erature to communities in SummitCounty door-to-door and at the SummitCounty Home & Garden Show.Supplying volunteers to Summit Countyto assist a local community with brushclearing around private homes to createdefensible space.

Hosting a forum where panelists willtrade views on forest fire policy.

Please stay tuned for more details andif you are interested in getting involvedin Summit County please contact me at: [email protected], or 303-449-5595.

April/May/June 20035

Be on the lookout Front Range members– the Sierra Club is showing up at aBUNCH of fun spring and summer festi-vals. The Rocky Mountain Chapterwould absolutely love to have a greatpresence at these events and therefore weare actively recruiting enthusiastic mem-bers to help us out with our tablingefforts. If you think you may not beproperly equipped to volunteer for a festi-val, we can always: a) prepare you aheadof time by giving you the appropriatereading materials on the RMC, and/or b)put you in a shift with a more experi-enced volunteer.

So please bring sunscreen, bottledwater, and Sierra Club t-shirts/buttonsand come on out and help us! Here arethe opportunities we have on our calen-dar:

Saturday, April 19th – Earth Day! At Chatfield Nature Preservein Littleton. 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22nd – Earth Day Worship Service withEcojustice Ministries, 7:00 p.m. at Christ

Congregational Church in Denver.

\Tuesday, April 29th – John Fielder Slide Show and Workshop,6:00 – 9:00 p.m. We need 10-15 volun-teers to help take tickets, direct people totheir seats, and help with book sales, etc.In the Wash. Park neighborhood ofDenver.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 24th-26th – Boulder Creek Festival. We’ll be sunningourselves all three days at this festivalfrom 9 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Boulder

Saturday and Sunday, June 7th and 8th – CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair. We’llbe having a great time, listening to localbands as we table from 10:00 a.m.-5:00p.m. Denver

Saturday, June 14th – Culturefest…Tasteof Brighton. 11 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Brighton.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 15-17th – Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. We’ll belooking for all day volunteers for thisweekend’s tabling b/c we only get a fewpasses. ONLY look into this event if youare serious about tabling ALL DAY.

Any of these events sound interesting toyou? Please call Libby Tart at the RockyMountain Chapter office to sign up fortime slots, 303-861-8819, or give her ashout over email, [email protected]

Spring & Summer Sierra Club Events!

LAWYER

DIVORCE LITIGATION

SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTATION

1942 BROADWAY : BOULDER : 442-3535AT THE PEARL STREET MALL

BARRY SATLOW, P.C.

Former Chair Indian Peaks Group &Sierra Club Council Delegate

The Sierra Club is saddened by the death of Bettie Willard who helped to organ-ize the Rocky Mountain Chapter in 1965. One of the first women to work inthe field of ecology, Bettie helped organize the Colorado Open Space Council(COSC), and was active with the Rocky Mountain Center on Environment, andthe Thorne Ecological Institute. She worked as a researcher for Rocky Mountain

National Park, and published books about the park’s plants.In an interview in 2001, Bill Coors gave credit to Willard and David Brower forconvincing him to create a recyclable aluminum can by showing him the impactof tin cans littering the tundra.

According to Bert Melcher, “She had a unique talent for translating the eso-teric and complex science of ecology into simply stated terms and principles thatbusiness people, engineers, non-scientists and school children could understandand use. We are all of us the beneficiaries of her efforts and successes. Bettieplayed a unique role in creating new processes for preserving environmental qual-ity: she was a true national leader.”

In MemoryExtraordinary Ecologist, Beatrice E. Willard, Ph.D.

6Peak & Prairie

BE A PART OFOUR CHAPTER’S SUCCESSVOLUNTEER FAIR COMMITTEE MEMBERSHelp to develop a new event in the late summer to let volunteers know aboutall our activities and how they can get involved. The committee will design,produce, and promote the event to new and experienced activists. ContactGreg Casini at 303-315-3309 or [email protected].

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE MEMBERSHelp to increase our resources by cultivating and educating major donors andby writing grant proposals. Build on your experience, or learn new skills whilehelping the Sierra Club. Contact Susan LeFever at 303-861-8819 [email protected].

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERSImprovements to Highway 36? Upgrades to Union Station? Allowing RTD toask voters for money for transit improvements? A number of transportationissues are on the horizon for Colorado, and you can help the Sierra Clubrespond and activate our membership. Contact Susan LeFever at 303-861-8819 or [email protected].

JOIN THE OUTINGS COMMITTEEBe a part of the growing RMC Outings Program. We need help expandingthe outings program in the state and putting together outings that focus onspecific conservation issues. Contact Gary Matthews at 303-449-8182 or [email protected].

H. ANTHONY RUCKEL

Investment Advice &Portfolio Management

Stocks, Bonds, Tax ExemptsRegistered • Sierra Life Member

Environmentally Responsible Investing

5840 E. Evans Ave.Denver, CO 80222

• 303-756-2277 •

Activism in the Snow: The Tour de Snow Wrap-Up

Wow! It was really incredibletrekking around the state andmeeting so many wonderful peoplethat are interested in Sierra Club’sregional and statewide issues.

While Deb Robison (SWAssociate Reg. Rep.) and I spent agreat amount of time with localgroup members and the public, wewanted to provide you with the in-depth version of our travel diary:

Friday, January 24th – Leaving for Colorado Springs.

Deb and I met with the Trails andOpen Space Coalition, VotersNetwork, and several TOPS mem-bers down in Colorado Springsbefore we joined over 25 activistsfor a refreshing Thai dinner atLittle Bangkok in downtownColorado Springs. Deb and Iagreed that we must have been anoverwhelming bunch to such asmall restaurant, but the staff han-dled us so well! Many thanks to allfor making our informational din-ner such a success.

Saturday, January 25th – Deb and I kicked off the snow-

shoe leg of our trip to ColoradoSprings by having a posse of 15take off to the Craigs for a littlehike in the snow. We had a mar-velous time maneuvering throughthe trees at the top, although every-one of us expressed some sadnessabout the state of the snow and thepine trees. Thanks to Jim Lockhart

for co-leading the snowshoe withme! Then Deb and I drove anddrove our way to Montrose to stayovernight.

Sunday, January 26th – Driving, driving, driving…..and

finally arriving in Durango beforeour designated snowshoe time. Afew wonderful people showed upand we took off to an area of townthat was sincerely lacking in snow.Off came our snowshoes and wedecided to make it into an enjoy-able hike. Later on we joined a fewothers for a Mexican dinner atGazpacho’s in downtown Durango.Highlight: a personal tour of theAnimas La Plata project providedby Weminuche Group Chair, JohnZwierzycki (I don’t get out toDurango often enough).

Monday, January 27th – Off Day for us – relaxation –

yeah!

Tuesday, January 28th – Driving,driving to Grand Junction….nosnowshoe here but then again, weweren’t expecting it. Hiking theSerpent’s Trail in the ColoradoNational Monument was wonder-ful with our two carloads of people.Then wee proceeded to eatJapanese food at a downtownGrand Junction establishmentbefore heading off to bed.

Wednesday, January 29th – Driving, driving to Vail……

where I proceeded to kick off mysnowshoes immediately to hike upthe Davos Trail. We had a wonder-ful time with the weather andlearned more about issues relevantto this area. A lot of interest wasexpressed in starting up a subgroupof the Summit/Eagle/Grand folkshere, so if you’re reading this andyou’re from the Eagle County area,please contact me!

Thursday, January 30th – Settled down and worked a greatportion of this day in Vail.Attended a local activist meetingthat night on the White RiverNational Forest.

Friday, January 31st – Driving, driving to SummitCounty……where we proceed toentertain ourselves until our dinnerwith 10 activists from the area atthe Dillon Dam Brewery.

Saturday, February 1st – The last snowshoe hike and we hadthe most wonderful snow condi-tions thanks to Mother Naturefrom a couple of nights before!Sickness ensued for me, but theothers kept on snowshoeing andhad an absolutely wonderful time.

By Libby Tart, RMC Coordinator

continued on page 12


Rocky Mountain Chapter Sierra Club Photo ContestHave you achieved your 15 minutes of fame yet?

Here is your chance!

Send your best nature photos to:Photo Contest1410 Grant Street, B303Denver, CO 80203

Each issue of the Peak & Prairie will feature thebest photo submission.Entry rules: You may send up to 5 of your best original shots at a time. You may enter as often as you like.Submissions should be prints no larger than 8 X 10. Include a description of the photo with your name, addressand phone number. Include any pertinent technical information such as shutter speed, aperture, filters, etc.Submission grants SC-RMC the right to publish selected photos in print, electronic or other media including pro-motional or advertising use. By submitting photos you attest that the photos do not violate the rights of any thirdparty and that you have any required permissions and releases. Photos will be returned only if you provide aself-addressed stamped envelope. SC-RMC assumes no responsibility for the return or safety of photos. Winningphotos will be selected by the editorial committee of the SC-RMC or a delegated representative.

This sad scene was captured in February on Highway 50 in Nevada.

These three collared pecca-ries was part of a family offive spotted near CopperMountain in southeastArizona. The collared pec-cary is the only wild, native,pig-like animal found in theUnited States. According tothe Desert, USA web site,sightings of these animals,also known as javelina, ormusk hog because of theirscent, are quite rare. Theyare called Javelina becauseof their razor-sharp tusks,Spanish for javelin or spear.The prickly pear cactus isideal food for the CollaredPeccary because of its highmoisture content. This photowas made using a 1000 mmlens.

These bighorn sheep were part of a group of 11 spotted in January in Titus Canyon in Death Valley NationalPark. While bighorn are relatively common in Colorado’s high mountains, park rangers said that they are spottedmuch less often in the Mojave Desert due to the extreme heat and lack of water.

Northern Elephant Seals resting atPt. Reyes National Seashore northof San Francisco. This colony onDrake’s Bay is a short hike fromthe road to the Lighthouse at Pt.Reyes. Even so, the males (bulls)can weigh in at 1,300 pounds(600 KG) and reach a length ofover 12 feet (4,000 mm).Between the months of Decemberand February, the seals come outof the water for to breed and givebirthing. The males often arrive onthe shore up aes and spend mostof their time sleeping on thebeach.

Two California SeaLions push andshove each otherat Pier 39 in SanFrancisco. Theyare part of a yearround colony ofseveral dozen thathave taken overthis pier on SanFrancisco Bay. Asmarine mammals,they are protectedunder Federal lawand have becomea major touristattraction forwildlife enthusiasts.

More Pictures......Wildlife from

Arizona and California

Congratulations go to James K. Holst of Pueblo West. James is the firstwinner in the Sierra Club--Rocky Mountain Chapter Photo Contest. Jamessent in this photo taken at Skagway, Alaska. Send in your favorite naturephotos and you too can get some

– Photo by Mark Itkonen

Peak & Prairie 8

An Interview with Debra Asher, NationalSierra Club ICO StaffBy Kathy Glatz

Kathy: Please give us a history of theInner City Outings program.

Debra: ICO was established as a SierraClub outreach program in 1976 in theSan Francisco Bay Chapter. It grew outof the Sierra Club’s attempts in theearly 1970’s to create the Golden GateNational Recreation Area, the nationalparkland that surrounds the city.

Sierra Club volunteers were doing out-reach to community groups to get sup-port for the creation of this urban park-land, and in the process they realizedhow limited the access to hiking andexploring open spaces was to manypeople living here. A small group ofvolunteers decided that it was impor-tant to provide access to city dwellers,who, due to lack of income, awarenessor skills, just didn’t participate in SierraClub or other outdoor activities.

A small group of volunteers with out-door skills started doing hikes withyouth from some community agencies.This activity eventually developed intoan official “activity section” of the SFBay Chapter and then became a nation-al Sierra Club program (1976). A part-time staff personsupported by grant monies came onboard in the early 1980’s, and eventual-ly that position became full time. Istarted in this position as ICOCoordinator in 1988 when there wereabout 15 ICO groups. There are now47 nationally.

Kathy: What keeps ICO

going financially?

Debra: What keeps ICO going aredonations from individuals and founda-tions that are used to support staff andoffice expenses, insurance, & leaderscreening, in addition to the NationalSteering Committee’s meetings, nation-al conference travel, Intra-RegionalOutings and the like.Local ICO groups must raise their ownfunds to support their operatingexpenses. Sometimes we raise funds todistribute to the local groups, but gen-erally, each ICO group is responsiblefor its own fundraising.

People who want to make tax-deductible donations to the local ICOcan make a check out to The SierraClub Foundation/Denver ICO. Theywill be deposited into your group’s fundat The SC Foundation and the donorswill be acknowledged by theFoundation. If the donors don’t careabout tax-deductibility, they maydonate checks directly to you: DenverICO, and deposit directly into yourlocal checking account.

Kathy: Thanks, Debra! Yes, our localdonations have allowed us to take kidshiking, camping, biking, canoeing, ski-ing, skating, and on other imaginativeadventures for over 10 years now. Wehave received gift certificates to buylunches and some gear. We have anagreement with a van rental companythat lowers our transportation costs.We have negotiated a 10th MountainDivision Hut for spring break 2003 athalf price. We just purchased x-c skigear & helmets, which are stored in adonated renovated [by ICO volunteers]gear shed.

INTERVIEW WITH ICO STAFF

OUT OF THE CITY

Yes, that’s right. The Sierra Club does have a swim team, of sorts. Last sum-mer the Inner City Outings Group sponsored a group of 16 kids for twoweeks of swim lessons.

What do swim lessons have to do with the Sierra Club’s mission to“explore, protect, and enjoy” the natural world? Well, in order for childrento do exploring and enjoying anywhere near lakes, streams and rivers, theyought to be able to swim. But, for a lot of inner city kids, swimming is justsomething they watch somebody else do on TV. Opportunities to learn arein such short supply that the local public recreation centers run a lottery forthe few spots available.

Sierra Club ICO is not leaving our kids’ safety to chance. This summer wehope to teach more kids for more weeks so that they acquire one of life’sessential skills and are able to participate in ICO raft and canoe trips.

Here’s where you come in. We need patrons! SAVE A KID’S LIFE andincrease their self-confidence and self-esteem at the same time. For $40 youcan be a swim coach.We are especially looking for corporate and businesssupport that will enable us to train a whole “school” of swimmers.

Please contact The Sierra Club Swim Team c/o Dan Ridgeway, 3090 S.Decatur St., Denver Co 8023, or phone (303)761-9502. A giant thanks tothe sponsors of last year’s pilot project: Denis and Julika Bond, BettyCannon (in memory of Martin Cannon), Claudia Elsner, and The TerraceClub (a non-profit swim club looking for new families, terraceclub.org).

ICO WISH LIST FOR THE COMING YEARCamping supplies for warm weather, including boots, backpacks, sleepingbags, tents, pads.

Lovingly-used outdoor non-cotton warm clothing.And, of course, volunteers are always needed to assist our trained leaderson trips, or to help with grant writing, equipment repairs or whateverexpertise you have to offer.

Report on the Sierra Club Swim Teamby Dan Ridgeway

Volunteer as an assistant leader on one of our published trips.Commitment level is low, and the satisfaction of working with kids ishigh.

Become an ICO outings leader. You have to volunteer on at least a fewoutings, join the Sierra Club ($25), get fingerprinted (for a backgroundcheck) and take an 8-hour (2 evening) Red Cross First Aid/CPR class(which ICO will pay for). If all goes well, you’ll be approved to be aleader at an ICO meeting, and can start taking kids from a school (orother group) on trips once a month. We look for a commitment of atleast a year when you become a leader.

Become involved in supporting the infrastructure of the ICO group.Please contact Kurt Aronow at 303.823.6135 or [email protected] formore information.

Ways YOU can volunteer with ICO

What is ICO?Inner City Outings (ICO) is a community youth outreach pro-gram of the Sierra Club. Its volunteer certified leaders are trainedin first aid, outdoor adventures and environmental education.

Most ICO trips are free of charge to participants, and mostequipment is provided such as snowshoes or water bottles.Outings can include hiking, snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-coun-try skiing, downhill skiing, canoeing, rafting, bicycling and back-packing.

ICO ContactsICO cell phone (also for messages): 720.299.9967• To subscribe to our newsletter contact Melody at

[email protected]• To become an ICO leader contact Jennifer Stotter

at [email protected] or 303.300.9661• To volunteer or donate equipment contact Kurt at

[email protected].• http://www.rmc.sierraclub.org/outings/ico/index.shtml

Hi, my name is David Flores and Iam in the sixth grade at HenryMiddle School. I am a member of theSierra Club and go on the ICO trips.My membership expires in April andI need to earn some money to pay mydues.

There are other kids in my groupthe same way. Also new kids whowant to join. If you have any workthat we could do to earn the dues,$19, please let us know. Please call theCollege View Group leader, DanRidgeway at (303)761-9502 or e-mailat [email protected].

Thanks, David


Thanks to the people who donated equipment:• Kris Combs• Rusty Jesse• Libby Tart• Kathy Glatz • SnowSports Industries

America Foundation• Provider’s resource Clearinghouse

Thanks to vendors who gave us deals: • Gary and Roland at Neptune

Mountaineering, Boulder• Polly Tucker from Swix• Kirk Haskel from G-3• T.J. Larson with Fisher Skis

Super extra thanks to Scott Sutton atApin Sales who represents: Garmont,K2, Marmot, and Tubbs.

Many thanks to anyone we left out.Also a bow to all ICO volunteers whohelped in diverse ways by inventorying,marking, assembling, and buildingracks for the new gear.

LETTERS FROM ICO PARTICIPANTS

& INTO THE WOODS

ICO Donor List

I want to tell you my story aboutmy experiences with the ICO. Ihave been in ICO for about twoyears and I have been in a lot oftrips. We usually practice at WinterPark for fun but I like more to goout in the back country skiingbecause it is funner and we see thenature and have fun with ourfriends, with out smoke and pollu-tion. In Denver we all live in apart-ments but with the ICO we havethe opportunity to know the natureor other things besides cars, pollu-tion and buildings. I have been onseveral trips. One time we went toa place very far away from the citycalled the Tenth Mountain Hut.There was beautiful wild life likesome song birds and the trees. Andanother trip that I did was in one

place called Second Creek. Wepracticed telemark and backcountryskiing. In this club we don’t needto have skis or anything you justneed your person and you need tobe able to learn things. I’m reallythankful with the ICO because Ihave the opportunity to go and ski,know a lot of places and be in con-tact with the nature. Hey! Youknow something, I don’t speakEnglish very well so they help inthe ICO. I like it because you feelgood when they help you. You canfeel that friendship and I like to bewith them.

Thank you ICO.Cesar RasconSophomore, Lincoln High School

Sierra Club: The Next Generation

What Sierra Club Means to Me

David Flores

Cesar Rascon

ICO ContactsICO cell phone (also for messages): 720.299.9967• To subscribe to our newsletter contact Melody at

[email protected]• To become an ICO leader contact Jennifer Stotter at

[email protected] or 303.300.9661• To volunteer or donate equipment contact Kurt at

[email protected].• http://www.rmc.sierraclub.org/outings/ico/index.shtml

Our SW regional ICO has received agrant to take kids from Coloradoand Texas to New Mexico for a 4-day backpacking trip in the PecosWilderness, and to visit the ruins atBandelier National Monument. Partof one day will be spent assistingpark staff with a service project. Inaddition to learning outdoor survivalskills and ethics, participants will

learn to form teams with kids fromother states. (I’m going to beg ourlocal ICO to extend this trip an extrafew days to include our Sand DunesNational Monument and other toursof forts along the way, ending up atMt. Princeton Hot Springs so thekids’ families will recognize themupon their return!)

Inter-Regional Outing Grant Approvedby Kathy Glatz

Educating decision-makers and sup-porting legislation that will requireColorado’s largest utilities to meet thestates demand for electricity throughclean renewable energy sources are aprimary goals of the Colorado CleanEnergy Campaign. But convincingvoters and legislators of the merits ofrenewable energy is often difficultbecause of widely held misconceptionsabout the costs and perceived unfairgovernment support of renewable ener-gy. Most people understand the posi-tive environmental benefits providedby clean renewable energy, but not allunderstand the costs of these technolo-gies and, indeed, positive financialimpacts of renewable energy.

Myth #1: “Renewable energy costsmore.” The costs for all renewableenergy technologies have been drop-ping faster than for conventional tech-nologies, and wind and geothermalpower are actually cost-competitive inmay areas with gas and coal. And afterthe initial capital expenditures onequipment, the cost of the wind andsun is free over the lifetime of theequipment, with the exception ofminor maintenance. By contrast, thecosts for electricity generated from nat-ural gas – the electric industry’s firstchoice for new generation - are invari-ably going to rise in the long-term asdemand outstrips supply, as is currentlythe case. In this regard, wind energy,with predictable long-term costs, actu-ally acts as a hedge against volatile gasprices - and subsequently electricityprices - providing price stability.While solar power is still many timesmore expensive than conventional gen-eration, it is still the most economicalgeneration technology for applicationsremote to the electrical grid. Yet solar,wind, and all renewable energy tech-nologies, are on a downward cost tra-jectory as technologies mature andgreater production lowers manufactur-ing costs.

Myth #2: “Renewable energywould never make it without subsidies”Government funds for energy develop-ment in 1999 totaled $3.9 billion dol-lars, $2.8 Billion (72%) of which wentto oil, gas, coal and nuclear energy.Many people would consider theseenergy sources self-sustaining and notin need of government support. Theydo not realize that all energy produc-tion in the U.S. today is subsidized insome form or another, and the cost forelectricity would be much greater if itwere not for the government subsidiesgoing to these “mature” industries. Bycomparison, less than one percent ofthis energy budget, $346 Million, wentto developing renewable energy,

including hydropower. Renewableenergies do receive government fund-ing and tax incentives, but the issue isnot whether government should investin clean energy development; ratherhow much subsidy each energyresource should receive. In the first fif-teen years of its development, nuclearpower received 33 times more subsidiesper kWh produced than wind power inits first fifteen years, and twice as muchas solar energy.

In fact, all of the above conventionaltechnologies received comparativelylarger subsidies when the governmentfelt they needed an incentive.

Misconceptions like those aboveinfluence voters’ and, legislators’ deci-sions for supporting renewable energyand these myths are some of the great-est obstacles to what could otherwisebe a rapidly developing, economicaland increasingly sustainable renewableenergy industry. The Union ofConcerned Scientists estimates thatColorado’s economy, health and envi-ronment could benefit significantly bygenerating 20% of its electric powerfrom renewable energy by 2020. Asanyone familiar with Colorado’s sun-filled days, blustery plains and wind-swept ridges can imagine, our state hasenormous renewable energy potentialestimated at over 549.0 billion kilo-watt-hours (the average household uses1000 kilowatt-hours per month).Estimated financial benefits includemillions of dollars going to rurallandowners, hundreds of millions intaxes for rural governments, $1.9 bil-lion less spent on consumer electricitybills over the next 18 years, and thecreation of hundreds of jobs. Renewable energy has clear health andenvironmental advantages, but thatshould be enough to motivate mostAmericans into action. However, thegreatest motivator will come fromfinancial rewards that impact an indi-vidual’s pocketbook. The CleanEnergy Campaign is a grassroots effortto require Colorado utilities to increasethe portion of electricity they producefrom renewable sources. This effortneeds your help. To learn more visitwww.rmc.sierraclub.org/energy or callthe Sierra Club at 303-861-8819.

1 The Union of Concerned Scientist,“Renewing Colorado” fact sheet,February 2002.

If you want to be a good environmen-talist, the more you know the better.Sometimes the things you learn arescary and depressing but that’s whywe’re all making this effort isn’t it? Weneed to prevent greedy lunatics fromdestroying the planet, and smell theflowers at the same time. We hopethat these reading suggestions mighthelp you explore, enjoy and protectthe planet.

Annals of The Former World - John McPheeAnsel Adams: A Biography - Mary Street AlinderBelieving Cassandra - Alan AtKissonBeyond Growth - Herman E. Daly

Cadillac Desert - Marc ReisnerCradle to Cradle: Remaking the WayWe Make Things - McDonoughFor the Common Good - Herman E. Daly and Cobb, J.Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared DiamondIs Your Food Safe? - Warren Leon andCaroline DeWaalNatural Capitalism - Paul HawkenRefuge - Terry Tempest WilliamsThe Fatal Harvest Reader - Edited Andrew KimbrellThe Sibley Guide to Birds - David Allen Sibley

What books do you recommend?

One way to conserve water is toremember to avoid wasteful habitssuch as taking baths instead of show-ers, leaving the faucet running whilewashing vegetables or brushing teeth,or watering the garden on a hot windyday. But there are also some one-timehousehold fixes that will help youconserve water without even thinkingabout it:

Install new faucet washers and uselow-flow faucet aerators. Never leave afaucet dripping. A faucet that dripsonce per second that can waste 3.5gallons per day or around 1200 gal-lons every year.

Turn the valves under the sink toreduce the rate of water flow.

Test your toilet for silent leaks,which can waste up to 150 gallons ofwater a day. Put a dozen drops of red

food coloring into the tank. If the dyeappears in the bowl, there is a silentleak; you may need to change theflapper or ball. If no dye appears inthe bowl after 15 minutes, the toilet isleak free.

If you have an older model of toilet,install a space occupier in the tank toreduce the amount of water used foreach flush.

Evaluate for other hidden waterleaks. Read your water meter while nowater is being used in your house.Check again after several hours whenno one has used any water. If themeter reading has changed, you mayhave an underground water leak.

Insulate your water heater and allhot water pipes. Less water will bewasted before hot water flows.

Peak & Prairie 10

L i f e No-Brainer Water Conservation

Family Law Bodily Injury DUI

Gary L. MerrittATTORNEY AT LAW

250 Arapahoe Ste. 304P.O. Box 4306

Boulder, CO 80306-4306

(720) 406-0011 [email protected]

Recommended Reading ListBy Peter Butler, Indian Peaks Group

The Dollars and Centsof Renewable Energy

By Brian McIntosh, RMC Energy Committee

ELECTRONICPEAK & PRAIRIESave Trees and Money!Tell Us How YOU Want to Receive the Peak & PrairieThe Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMC) of the Sierra Club is pleased to announcethat members now have the opportunity to receive its bi-monthly newsletter, Peak& Prairie, in printed form, electronic form, or both.MONETARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS VERSUS BENEFITSMany people don't realize it costs the Sierra Club over $30,000 per year tosend Peak & Prairie to the 20,000 members of the Sierra Club in Colorado. If alot of members elect to receive Peak & Prairie in electronic form, we can save alot of money (and trees!) and put that money to work in other ways to help pro-tect the environment in Colorado.

REQUESTING ELECTRONIC PEAK & PRAIRIEIf you choose to receive Peak & Prairie in electronic form, we will notify you viaelectronic mail each time a new issue of Peak & Prairie is available on the RockyMountain Chapter's web site – usually several days before the printed version ismailed. The notification will include a link for your browser which will take youdirectly to the new issue of Peak & Prairie on the Rocky Mountain Chapter's website, which you will be able to view with Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free programavailable at www.adobe.com).

Please visit http://www.rmc.sierraclub.org/pandp/deliveryoptions.shtml to select your Peak &Prairie delivery options today.

Join the 404+ RMC members (approx. 2%) who have chosen to receive the elec-tronic version of Peak & Prairie instead of the printed version!


s t y e s

Recycling in Denver got easier. Totake the guess work out of recyclingplastic bottles, DenverRecycles, the City’s residen-tial recycling program isnow collecting all plastic bottles.

What’s a plasticbottle?

Check for the neck!A bottle is a containerthat has an openingsmaller than its base andusually has a screw toplid. Plastic bottlesfound in the kitchen,bathroom, laundryroom, garages, playrooms and utilityclosets that are used to package suchproducts as soft drinks, milk, sham-poo, cleaners, peanut butter andlaundry detergent will now be collect-ed under this program.

Denver Recycles also collects alu-minum and steel food and beveragecontainers (including empty aerosolscans), glass bottles and jars (green,brown, and clear), and newspaperswith inserts.

Denver residents who are notalready participating in the DenverRecycles program can call 720-865-6805 to sign up for the service for noadditional fee. For more informationon all plastic bottles recycling and therecycling program call 720-865-6805or visit Denver Recycles web site at:www.DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles. n

Denver Recycles CollectsAll Plastic Bottles

Recyclers’ CornerArticles sponsored by Denver Recycles

Mountain Muse CommunicationsDear Recycle Lady: Over the pastyear, I have seen coverage of theimpracticality of municipal recy-cling. Programs in New York andother metropolitan areas are inupheaval. The press reports repeat-ed discussions of charging forDenver’s curbside program. Arethese programs worthwhile? Dothe materials get recycled? ShouldI support my tax-funded recyclingprogram?

– Bin Wondering

Dear Wondering: Many Sierranshave asked these questions recent-ly; this column is dedicated to pro-viding answers and clearing upmisconceptions.

The Denver Mayor’s office, twocity council persons and DenverRecycles staff assure me there areno plans to drop or charge a feefor curbside recycling. In fact,Denver Recycles has voluntarilyhelped with the City’s budget crisis

by adjusting routes and makingother changes to increase efficien-cy, reduce costs and maintain cur-rent levels of service.

Let’s review a few facts, usingDenver Recycles’ 2001 and 2002budgets as a reference point (fig-ures below are approximate).(Because landfilling and recyclinginvolve land and commoditiesprices, costs vary from region toregion and year to year. TheDenver Recycles experience shouldbroadly apply to the Front Rangeand some Western Slope areas.)Recycling is waste removal. It isnot and should not be “free,” as itprovides a service, like trash haul-ing. Denver residents pay for recy-cling with taxes. Private haulercustomers pay as part of theirwaste removal package or with anadditional fee. Drop off recyclerspay with the time and resourcesneeded to go to drop locations andwith a fee for some items. Dropcenters are also funded by income

from recyclables, government sup-port or corporate sponsors.Colorado has a low rate of recy-cling when compared nationally.The fact results from a variety ofpressures: for example, Colorado’ssparse population and the largeamount of reserved landfill space-enough to serve the Denver Metroarea for nearly 100 years!

Therefore, landfill fees are quitelow for much of the state; withouta change in economic pressures orregulations, it is difficult to arguean an immediate or obvious needto change current waste practices.Yes, a poorly run municipal recy-cling program can be an economicor environmental burden. Yet,well-run programs can save localgovernments-thus taxpayers-money while providing environ-mental and economic benefits.The following figures illustratethese savings.

Annual recycling program costs include savings fromnot landfilling recycled materials (these savings arenot included in per ton costs). In 2001, the programeffectively made a small profit. Further, these figuresdo not include economic benefits like local co-modities sales and jobs created by recycling.Recycling actually costs the City of Denver less perton than hauling those same materials as trash. Ifevery eligible Denver household participated in thecurbside program (current participation is at 50%)the City would net a savings of $40,000-$80,000,not counting saved landfill fees. Residents can easethe City’s budget crunch through curbside recycling.Clearly, well-run programs like Denver Recycles-orEcoCycle in Boulder, Loveland’s curbside programand others-do save money, divert usable commoditiesto viable businesses, preserve natural resources andsave land for uses other than landfills. These pro-grams are an important part of our waste manage-ment plan and they need your help.

First, sign up to use the programs. Next, Julie Kleinof Denver Recycles (720-865-6813; [email protected]) encourages you to volun-teer. In an effort to keep public relations and educa-tional costs down, Denver Recycles will start a block

captain program in 2003. You can distribute materialsand host informational gatherings. To learn how youcan help programs elsewhere, call your local recyclingor solid waste department; Colorado Recycles (303-231-9972; www.colorado-recycles.org) is a goodplace to start your search for local information.

Mountain Muse Communications provides com-plete print and electronic communications services tosocially and environmentally responsible organiza-tions, including waste and environmental impactreduction consulting, presentations and workshops.The information provided is based on what arebelieved to be reliable sources at the time of writing;no guarantees of accuracy are implied and noendorsement is made of any particular service, busi-ness or product. Recyclers and recyclees can sendtheir corrections, suggestions and inquiries to [email protected] or Ask the Recycle Lady,

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

OF THE SIERRA CLUB

1410 Grant Street, Suite B303Denver, CO 80203303-861-8819, (FAX) 303-861-2436

Ask the Recycle Lady:Supporting Municipal Recyclingby Leslie Martel Baer, MA

City of Denver Residential Waste Removal& Curbside Recycling Expenses

The Sierra Club has a new pro-gram to help protect migratorysongbirds, small farmers and con-sumers – by selling coffee with adifference. Sierra Club Coffee is:

Certified Organic: Sierra ClubCoffee is grown without the dan-gerous pesticides and fertilizersthat are commonly used on con-ventional coffee plantations.

Fair Trade Certified: Fair traderaises living standards for smallfarmers while helping to protectthe environment. Fair trade practicesinclude: paying farmers a fair price;helping farmers gain direct access toloans and establishing relationshipsbetween buyers and farmers.

Shade Grown: Unlike much conven-tional coffee, Sierra Club Coffee isgrown under diversified shade cover,the natural habitat of hundreds ofspecies of migratory songbirds.

Sierra Club Coffee is a deep roastedblend of Latin American andIndonesian coffee that bridges the gapbetween tasting great and doing good.A portion of every purchase of this deli-cious coffee directly supports the SierraClub in its mission to explore, enjoyand protect the planet. You can buySierra Club Coffee at www.sacred-groundscoffee.com/sierra.html.

Our other leg of thetour took us intoSteamboat Springs……

Friday, February 21st – Deb and I challenge theforces of nature as weattempt to make it toSteamboat in a serioussnowstorm! We didmake it in one piece,thanks to some entertain-ing CDs and good con-versation. Later we haddinner with a fewactivists in the area.

Saturday, February 22nd – Snow, snow everywhere! The

snow continued to fall throughoutthe night. Deb and I were slightlyconcerned about the safety of myCamry on Rabbit Ears Pass, but wesurvived and had the best snowshoewe’ve had all winter. A great groupof people showed up for both thesnowshoe and the potluck later thatevening.

Sunday, February 23rd – Met with members for breakfast

at a local coffee shop and enter-tained thoughts of staying one morenight because of the amount ofsnow on the passes. However, we

made it through by taking the longway back to Denver. Lots of trafficon the road and some nasty weatherconditions, but we prevailed!

Thanks to all of the members andpublic that joined in with us on ourjourneys. We had a marvelous timetalking to each and every one ofyou about issues that you careabout and are interested in at yourregional level. It’s fascinating whenwe receive that kind of feedbackabout growth, water, forest/wilder-ness issues, and energy.

Many thanks also to our businessco-sponsors, La Fuma and Odwalla.They were so generous with theirdonations and we greatly appreciatethem!

12Peak & Prairie

HELP THE PEAK & PRAIRIE -

SUPPORT OURADVERTISERS -

THANKS!For information onPLACING AN AD

contact

Matt Andersonadvertising-manager@

rmc.sierraclub.org720-898-1136

Daniel Ziskin, PhD

Creation, which we environmentalistslove, is a source of endless fascination.What is it about nature that compels usmore than the work of human handsever could? My response is four-fold.Creation is big. Creation is small.Creation is complex. And Creation issimple.

The bigness of Creation is so obviousit is barely worth mentioning. How bigis the entire Earth? (Big enough so thatwe need to poison her with car exhaustjust to get from place to place.) And yetthe Earth is a mote of dust in the solarsystem. And the solar system is one of ahundred billion stellar objects in thisgalaxy. You know the rest of this liturgy.Likewise, so is the smallness self-evident.Imagine the smallest crumb you can see.That crumb is an Earth all to itself. Thesmallness of scale that the preponder-ance of life exists on is a mystery beyondreason. And the bacteria and cooties thatpopulate that microscopic dimension arethemselves gigantic to the atomic scale.Even the atoms themselves consist ofvastly smaller entities such as quarks andelectrons. The range of scale from super-clusters of galaxies to sub-atomic parti-cles surely makes the paradox thatCreation is both big and small theunderstatement of 2003.

Nature is also complex. Consider oneof the simplest forms of life – a blade ofgrass. Even this relatively formless cornerof the biosphere contains molecules ofstaggering complexity. This blade ofgrass also creates a seed. This seed con-tains the instructions to make itself new.Not just the instructions - the mecha-nism to actually recreate the next genera-tion perpetually. It would analogous tous building a car where the plans for thecar were hidden in invisible ink on thewindshield (like the Mach-5) and the

plans also included the blueprints for thefactory to make this car. And have theinstructions so encoded so that the nextcar would be thermodynamicly capableof making itself. That’s complex.

And yet Creation is simple. We believeit is guided by a few simple rules. Allmatter attracts itself (gravity). Electriccharges interact following the laws ofelectromagnetism (Maxwell’s equations).The particles within each atomic nucleusare bound to each other (strong force).And the laws of thermodynamics governthese interactions. How could such abland set of rules manifest as the wonderof Creation?

As we ponder these riddles, a linefrom the Psalms comes to mind. “Howgreat are your works, Creator. How verydeep are your designs.” (Ps 92:6). Thefirst phrase acknowledges the bignessand smallness of Creation. The secondregards complexity and simplicity. It ispossible for people of faith to grasp thesespectacular aspects of Creation (sur-prise!). Why do they seem to get sohung up on worshipping the Creator?Likewise, they are confused how we canhave such a profound encounter withCreation and be ambivalent about itssource.

As we “evangelize” to the faith com-munity about the value of good Earth-stewardship, we should keep in mindtheir perception that our perspective isincomplete. If we are not prepared totolerate their Truth that a Creator causesthe whole universe to exist, we shouldnot expect them to tolerate our Truththat the Earth is worth saving for itsown sake.

Daniel Ziskin is the president of Jews OfThe Earth (JOTE), an eco-Jewish groupbased in Boulder Colorado. For more infosee www.jote.org.

We Love Creation. They Love the Creator – Is Reconciliation Possible?

Activism in the Snow • from page 6

Ten Reasons • from page 1

(l-r) Libby Tart and Deb Robinson toured Colorado meeting people interested inSierra Club issues.

6. ‘Loathsome’ energy bill dies in com-mittee. The House bill includeddrilling in the Arctic and billions intax breaks to the fossil fuel indus-tries. The Senate bill spared theArctic and promised fewer taxbreaks, but was still a huge stepbackward. Any marriage of these billswould have increased pollution andthe nation’s dependence on oil.

7. The last time anti-environmentalRepublicans took over Congress,they squandered their ‘mandate.’House Speaker Newt Gingrichlaunched his ambitious “ContractWith America” in early 1995, whichwould have dismantled decades’worth of environmental protection.By the end of the year, his campaignhad sputtered and only a fraction ofit became law.

8. The Kyoto Protocol is on the vergeof ratification. In December, Canadaand New Zealand signed the KyotoProtocol, bringing the total to 98countries, contributing 40.7 percentof greenhouse emissions. The Kyoto

Protocol becomes law when a mini-mum of 55 countries covering atleast 55 percent of 1990 greenhousegas emissions have ratified it. Despitethe U.S refusal to sign it, it will takeeffect when Russia, which has prom-ised to ratify, signs it in 2003.

9. The Sierra Club is strong. PRWeeknamed the Sierra Club “the mostpowerful and influential solutions-based nonprofit environmentalorganization in the country.” Withmore than 700,000 members in 66chapters and 355 groups and a $70million budget, the Sierra Club issolvent, stable, and ready to climbinto the ring for the next round.

10. The Sierra Club is attracting youngpeople. The Sierra StudentCoalition has more than 20,000members and is active on morethan 100 campuses. The SSC’sorganizing training programs havetrained hundreds of high schooland college students in activism,many of whom have become volun-teer leaders of the Club.

Sierra Club Sells CoffeeCoffee never felt so good!


The Sierra Club’s SouthwestRegional Office in Boulder is co-directing the Southern Rockies WolfRestoration Project, a coalition ofconservation groups dedicated toreturning the gray wolf to theSouthern Rocky Mountains, includ-ing parts of Colorado.

However, plans to restore the bal-ance by returning the wolf may facethe same fate as grizzly bear restora-tion. We need you and all of ouractivists at the ready. Much of theeffort to ensure recovery is centeredon building public support andunderstanding for the importantrole that wolves play in the nativeecosystems of the Southern Rockies

— and reminding our public offi-cials that science is on the side ofrestoring wolves to more places.These important decisions shouldbe based on sound science, not poli-tics.

We here at the Sierra Club canplay an especially important part inthis coalition effort by mobilizingour active, dedicated, and skilledvolunteers to speak out and educatein favor of restoring the balance tothe Southern Rockies by returningthe wolf. For more information,please visit the Southern RockiesWolf Restoration Project’s web pageat www.rockywolf.org.

Southern Rockies WolfRestoration Project

ONE DAYBy Lynn Fogarty

In a day, I could pray For things to be rightWith the world again

My eyes would seeThe best you can be

And we would not fight again

The children, they hearFrom us, they learn fear

Please hold me, dear

For a lifetime I’ve prayedA happy home I’ve made

So much to be thankful for

I wish you love,That it will be enoughTo carry you through

When times get tough

The SUVs keep rolling off the car lots, there’sno denying that. And Congress, which reject-ed an opportunity to increase fuel-efficiencystandards for cars and SUVs last year, is cer-tainly not poised to change its mind anytimesoon.

But the notion that gas-guzzling SUVs areour birthright as Americans is losing traction.With a war against Iraq close at hand, fuel-efficient vehicles are starting to sound pru-dent to more and more Americans, not justSierra Clubbers and their ilk. Gas-guzzlingSUVs are becoming-cross your fingers-uncool.

Certainly the backlash against SUVs, sim-mering for years, is blazing now.

You can see it in the “What Would JesusDrive?” campaign launched last fall by theEvangelical Environmental Network. You cansee it in the provocative TV ads aired bycommentator Arianna Huffington equatingSUV ownership with supporting terrorism.“This is George,” a child’s voice says. “This isthe gas that George bought for his SUV.These are the countries where the executivesbought the oil that made the gas that Georgebought for his SUV. These are the terroristswho get money from those countries everytime George fills up his SUV.”

You can see it in Massachusetts GovernorMitt Romney’s proposal to eliminate all butthe most essential SUVs in the state govern-ment fleet in favor of cars that get bettermileage.

You can see it in the peace marches- SierraClub volunteers and staff marched in SanFrancisco with an “environmentalists againstthe war” contingent on January 18, among

placards that read, “If there’s a war, draftSUV drivers first.”

There’s more. Keith Bradshear, who cov-ered the auto industry for The New YorkTimes until last year, blasted SUVs in “Highand Mighty: The World’s Most DangerousVehicles and How They Got That Way,” pub-lished last September. A billboard for BMW’sMini proclaims, “The SUV Official BacklashStarts Today.” The Bush administration’s pro-posal to boost the tax deduction businessescan take for new SUVs to $25,000 was greet-ed with outrage, and Senator Barbara Boxer(D-Calif.) announced a bill to stop it. Toyotapromised that every model it makes by 2004will be available as a hybrid. GM said it plansto offer a broader array of hybrid gas-electricvehicles. “You just can’t fly in the face of pub-lic opinion,” said Robert Lutz, GM’s vicechairman for product development.

Last summer, after the Senate rejected afuel-economy hike, the Sierra Club launched

its “freedom option package” campaign, inwhich we took the fight for fuel efficiency toconsumers and auto companies. Despite whatour opponents might say, the Sierra Club isnot against SUVs per se, but against theloophole that allows them to pollute morethan regular passenger cars. The technologyto make them more fuel efficient is availablenow.

Whether our campaign is having unexpect-edly quick results or is mirroring a shift inpublic opinion isn’t clear, but it has struck achord. What we’ve been saying about fuelefficiency for ten years is finally being echoedby many others across the political spectrum.

A hulking behemoth like the auto industrydoesn’t have a small turning radius, no matterhow much power steering it has. The changewe’re seeking isn’t going to happen overnight.But the wheels are starting to turn.

John Byrne Barry is the Editor of The Planet,the Sierra Club’s newsletter for activists.

SUV Backlash– The wheels are starting to turn

by John Byrne barry

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in whichyou really stop to look fear in the face.... You must do the thing you cannot do. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Happy Springfrom all

of us at the Sierra

Club

Late submissions may be included inthe online Rocky Mountain ChapterCalendar. Send info. as an attacheddocument to [email protected].

Please check the web site –www.rmc.sierraclub.org and then click onCalendar (left menu bar) – for a completeand up-to-date listing of outings.

In order to participate on one of theSierra Club's outings, you will need tosign a liability waiver. To read a copy ofthe waiver prior to the outing, see http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms or call415-977-5630.

In the interests of facilitating thelogistics of some outings, it is customarythat participants make carpoolingarrangements. The Sierra Club does nothave insurance for carpooling arrange-ments and assumes no liability for them.Carpooling, ride sharing or anythingsimilar is strictly a private arrangementamong the participants. Participantsassume the risks associated with thistravel.

Meetings and events are open tomembers and the public at no cost.They are a good way to meet activistsand discuss Club issues. Hikes beginand end at the trailhead. Call the leaderindicated for info., preferably a coupleof days in advance. Appropriate experi-ence and equipment required.

• Please RSVP ALL Outings •

Friday, Apr. 11, 5:30 - 7 PMHappy Hour, Colorado SpringsSunbird Restaurant, 230 Point of thePines Dr. Join the Sierra Singles forhalf price drinks, live entertainment,good food and great views. RSVP DaveHarmer at 719-597-3996.

Sunday, April 13 Nugget Hill, Boulder CountyHike past old mines to a great 360-degree view. Trail is short but steep, agood conditioner hike. 5 milesroundtrip, 1,400 ft. elevation gain. Ifweather or trail is poor we will do analternate hike. RSVP Bev Baker,303/447-8390 (before 8 p.m. please)

Thursday, Apr. 17, 7:30 PM -WheneverBlues Nite, Colorado SpringsNavajo Hogan’s Roadhouse, 2817 N.Nevada. Let’s have some fun at BluesNite with the Sierra Singles! Meet usfor evening Blues and dancing withsome of the greatest musical talentColorado Springs has to offer. CallDave Harmer at 719-597-3996.

Saturday April 19, 6:30 pm Potluck in Boulder.Please RSVP by April 12 to AnneSeidenberg at [email protected] for after-party cleanup aregreatly appreciated. Call (303) 514-4232.

Saturday, Apr. 19, 9 AM - 1 PMWaldo Canyon Loop – Meet inColorado SpringsMeet us for a fun General MembershipOuting “up Ute pass.” 7 mi. roundtrip, with a (non-trivial) 1700’ Elev.Gain. Bring a lunch and drink, and beprepared for snow and ice! CallChristie Lee at 719-635-2336.

Saturday, April 19, 9:00 AM - 1 PMSection 16 Hike, Colorado SpringsAn easy 6-mile loop hike with theSierra Singles. 1,400 feet Elev Gain.RSVP to Jim McCreary at 264-8486by Friday evening, April 18th for infor-mation.

Saturday, April 19 Centennial Cone Day Hike, JeffersonCountyExplore Centennial Cone in GoldenGate Canyon, a unique geologic featureand one of Jefferson County’s newestOpen Space Parks. Leisurely 4-milehike, easy to moderate pace, elevationgain of about 700 ft. Open sunny ter-rain with some wooded areas and niceviews. RSVP Lin Hark at 303-674-9369 or [email protected]. Limitedto 12 participants.

Saturday, April 26Homestead, Mesa, Big Bluestem TrailLoop, Boulder CountyEasy/moderate loop hike, 4.5 milesroundtrip with 1,000 ft. elevation gain.We’ll wander through a nice mix ofgrassland, pine forest, and creeksidehabitat and pass some old homesteadsites. Contact Steve Welter, 303-499-7261.

Sunday, Apr. 27, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PMSeven Bridges Trail Hike, ColoradoSpringsHike Seven Bridges trail with the SierraSingles - it’s fun and close to town!About 5 miles, with a 500 ft Elev.Gain. Pack a snack; we will go for eatsand treats after. RSVP to DaveHarmer by Sat. Apr. 26. Will carpool.Call Dave Harmer at 719-597-3996.

Saturday, May 3, 9:00 to noon.Wetlands Restoration: Sawhill Ponds,

Boulder Wetlands restoration work at OpenSpace. Emphasis will be on the removalof non-native species. Contact KirkCunningham, 303-939-8519.

Saturday, May 3, 8:30 AM - Late DaySnowshoe or Hike, Colorado SpringsSnowshoe - or hike depending on snowconditions - up Northstar, a 13,000-foot peak, south of Quandary andnorth of Hoosier Pass with the SierraSingles! The Outing is rated as “diffi-cult” with a 2400 ft Elev. Gain over 8miles round trip. Contact Christie Leeat 719-635-2336 for registration.

Saturday, May 3Beaver Creek Proposed WildernessDayhike, Colorado SpringsOn our annual spring trip to the wildsouth slope of Pikes Peak, we will covera strenuous 7 miles gaining 3,000 feetin elevation amid granite canyonscenery. RSVP John Stansfield at 303-660-5849 or [email protected]

Friday, May 9, 5:30 - 7 PMHappy Hour, Colorado SpringsSunbird Restaurant, 230 Point of thePines Dr. with the Sierra Singles. Halfprice drinks, live entertainment, goodfood, great views. Call Dave Harmer at719-597-3996.

Saturday, May 17, 9 AM to 12 PM Barr Trail Outing, Colorado SpringsSierra Singles hike on Barr Trail to theManitou Incline. This Outing has a2000 ft. Elev. Gain and is 6 miles RT.RSVP Christie Lee, 719-635-2336.For those interested, we will have lunchat a restaurant afterwards.

Saturday, May 17, 9 AM to 12 PM Leader Training Hike, ColoradoSprings.Please contact Jim Lockhart for moreinformation at 719-385-0045.

Sunday, May 18, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PMSleeping Mountain, Colorado SpringsSierra Singles. Moderate to difficult 5-mile hike, with about an 800 foot Elev.Gain to the top at 10,604 ft, with greatviews along the way. We will carpool.RSVP to Dave Harmer at 719-597-3996 by Sat. May 17.

Lichen Walk, Sunday May 18Ann U White Trail, BoulderLearn about lichens on this easy 3.5miles round trip hike. 600 ft. elevationgain. Contact Steve Welter, 303-499-7261.

Sunday May 18Mills Lake, Rocky Mountain NationalParkModerate hike with a round trip dis-tance of 5 miles. Elevation gain is 700ft, starting at 9,240 ft. This hike isextremely scenic with alpine views andsubalpine forest. Starts at the GlacierGorge trailhead. Call Maggie at720/258-1897.

Friday, May 23, 5:30 - 7 PMHappy Hour, Colorado SpringsOld Chicago, 4110 N. Academy. Startthe weekend off right with the SierraSingles. Great prices on drinks andmunchies. Call Dave Harmer at 719-597-3996.

Saturday, May 31Bear Peak Loop, BoulderClimb Bear Peak via Fern Canyon andthen loop back along Bear Peak WestRidge. Strenuous, about 7 miles RTand 2,500 ft. elev. gain. A good warm-up for summer climbs in the highcountry. Contact Rebecca Dickson,303/499-7261.

Friday, June 13, 4:30 - 7:30 PM.Happy Hour at the Sunbird, ColoradoSprings230 Point of Pines Dr. Meet the week’sSierra Singles “survivors” either on the

patio (weather permitting) or in thelounge. Half price drinks, free snackfood, live entertainment, and greatviews of the city. No RSVP required.Dave Harmer, 597-3996.

Saturday, June 14, 9 AM to 12 PM Barr Trail Hike, Colorado SpringsOn this hike the Sierra Singles will hikeon Barr Trail to the Manitou Incline.This Outing has a 2000 ft. Elev. Gainand is 6 miles RT. Contact ChristieLee for information at 719-635-2336.For those interested, we will have lunchat a restaurant afterwards.

Saturday, Sunday, June 14, 15Easy Backpack, near Colorado SpringsPrior backpacking experience or partic-ipation in the June 3 -10 backpackclass are not required. There is nocharge for this backpack, other thancarpooling expenses, but participantsbring their own individual food andequipment. For information, call JimLockhart at 719-385-0045.

Sunday, June 15, 9:30 - 2:30 PMHike Pancake Rocks, near ColoradoSpringsJoin the Sierra Singles gang for thispopular hike with great views from thetrail and from the pancakes. Pack asnack for the trail and we may stop forfood and drinks afterwards. Ratedmoderate with a 1400-ft gain andabout 5-mi RT. RSVP by Saturday,June 14, to Dave Harmer, 597-3996.Will carpool.

Sunday June 15Sky Pond, Rocky Mountain NationalParkStrenuous hike to Timberline Fall, Lakeof Glass and Sky Pond. Round trip 9.2miles with a starting elevation of 9,240ft and an elevation gain of 1,660 ft.Both Lake of Glass and Sky Pond areabove treeline. The hike starts at theGlacier Gorge trailhead. Call Maggieat 720 258-1897.

Saturday, June 28, 4:30 - 7:30 PMSierra Singles Dinner, ColoradoSpringsMacaroni Grill, 7605 N. Join the SierraSingles gang for a fun evening withambience and fine Italian food at rea-sonable prices. RSVP to Dave Harmer,597-3996.

Friday, July 11, 4:30 - 7:30 PMHappy Hour, Colorado SpringsSunbird, 230 Point of Pines Dr. Meeton the patio, weather permitting or inthe lounge with the Sierra Singles. Halfprice drinks, free snack food and liveentertainment, and great views of thecity. No RSVP reqd. Dave Harmer,597-3996.

Saturday, July 19, 8 AM - Late Day13,000 Ft Mountain Climb, fromColorado SpringsThe Sierra Singles plan to climb a13,000 ft peak, and will carpool to thebase of that mountain (to be laterannounced). Elev Gain will be perhaps4000-5000 ft, in a RT of maybe 12miles, so come prepared for a workout!Contact Christie Lee for more informa-tion at 719-635-2336.

Sunday, July 20, 9:30 - 2:30 PMHike Stanley Canyon, ColoradoSprings.Sierra Singles. Moderate to difficulthike with some challenging terrain. Ithas about a 1500-ft gain and is about6-mi RT. Pack a snack for the trail andwe may stop for food afterwards. RSVPby Saturday, July 14, to Dave Harmer,597-3996. Will carpool.

Friday, July 25, 5:30 - 7:30 PM Happy Hour at Old Chicago, N.AcademyForget the midweek crises and join theSierra Singles at Old Chicago and amovie afterwards. No RSVP reqd. For

OU T I N G S

Peak & Prairie 14

CALENDAR

SUBMISSIONDEADLINE

for July/August/September 2003 issue

Monday, May 27, 2003To list your event, email

[email protected]

for submission guidelines.

info, Dave Harmer, 303 597-3996.

MountainFilm Festival Saturday, April 19, 6:00 - 9:30 PMColorado Springs, Fine Arts Center,30 West Dale StreetReception, followed by 2 1/2 hours ofadventure films, featuring “Mzima:Haunt of the Riverhorse”, a lyrical lookat a crystal-clear spring in Kenya; fiveother films follow. Tickets availablebeginning Mar 15th at MountainChalet, REI, and EMS for $20; $22 atdoor. www.rmc.sierraclub.org/ppg

Earth Day ServiceApril 22, 7pm, Denver“Celebrating God’s Good gift ofWater.” Christ Congregational Church,2500 S Sheridan Blvd. For info call303-715-3873. Sierra Club and EarthJustice Ministries.

Evening with John FielderApril 29th at 7:00 p.m., DenverCameron United Methodist Church,1600 S. Pearl Street, Denver. Ticketssold at the door, $10 for adults and $5for children.

Outdoor Leadership WorkshopMay 2 -4, 2003, BreckenridgeFriday evening, Saturday and SundayAre you currently leading Sierra Clubhikes, or would you like to? Want tostrengthen your wilderness survivalskills, use outings to raise the environ-mental awareness of participants, orjust find out how to make your tripsmore enjoyable? For info, call PatriciaBerman at 303-691-9255 or go tormc.sierraclub.org/calendar

Beginner Backpack Class Tuesdays, June 3 and 10 6-9 pmSaturday, June 7, all dayThis class for beginners and near-beginners will consist of two indoorinformational sessions and one outdoorpractice session. The basics of gear, hik-ing and camping techniques, safety.Saturday, take a short hike and set up apractice campsite. The total cost for thethree sessions is $30 per person ($15for additional family members). Forinformation, call Jim Lockhart at 719-385-0045.

CHAPTER MEETINGSAll Members Welcome.

RMC = Rocky Mountain ChapterChapter Office is located at 1410Grant Street, Suite B303 DenverEnter on the north side of the build-ing, ring doorbell.

Auction CommitteeFirst Thursday of the month, 6:00pm, Chapter Office. Help plan our gala auction! Llibby,303-861-8819.

Chapter Conservation CommitteeContact Kirk Cunningham, [email protected].

Energy Committee2nd Wednesday, 6:30 Support the Chapter’s renewable ener-gy campaign. Greg Casini, [email protected].

Gay and Lesbian Sierrans (GLS)Contact Lisa Lewis at 303-777-3664and check the website for info:www.rmc.sierraclub.org/gls/act/html

Genetic Engineering Committee LastWednesday 7:00 pm at Chapteroffice. Call Suzanne Wuerthele to confirm(303) 333-2519,[email protected].

Inner City Outings (ICO)Help young people learn about wilder-ness. Call ICO hotline, 720-299-9967.

Lifestyles Education Committee April 21, May 19, June 166:30pm. Chapter officeJoLynn Jarboe [email protected].

Pesticides CommitteeApril 23, May 16, June 20, 6 pmPotluck at Chapter OfficeCall Angela - 303-433-2608.

Transportation Committee Meeting,Fourth Thursday, 6pmSusan LeFever, [email protected].

ALL MEMBERS WELCOME

Blue River Group

(Summit, Grand & Eagle Counties)First Monday of each month, 6 pm.Call Karn Stiegelmeier 970-468-9013,[email protected].

Enos Mills Group (Denver)First Tuesdays, 6pm potluck followedby Executive Committee meeting, dis-cussion of issues and activities. Ross-University Hills Library, 4310 EAmherst Ave. Call Diane, 303-504-9657.

High Plains GroupThe Eastern Denver suburbs group isin reorganization. To get involved, callthe office at 303-861-8819.

Indian Peaks Group (IPG)(Boulder County)* IPG Conservation and LetterWriting, First Wed, 6:30 - 9 pm,Enviro Center of the Rockies, 2260Baseline, Boulder. Call Kirk, 303-939-8519, [email protected]

* IPG Executive CommitteeFourth Wednesday. Steven Welter, 303-499-7261,[email protected].

* IPG Sprawl & TransportationTuesdays, 7pm.Sonya Guram, 303-245-9115 [email protected].

* IPG Urban Land UseThird Mondays,Matt Appelbaum, 303-499-8970.

Mount Evans Group(SW Jefferson, North Park, ClearCreek & Gilpin Counties) SecondThurs - Evergreen Rec Center.Betsy 303-674-7236.

Pikes Peak Group(El Paso & Teller Counties)* General Meeting, Second TuesdayEvening.* Executive Committee, ThirdTuesdays, Beidleman EnvironmentalCenter, Kirby Hughes, 719-685-3019.

Poudre Canyon Group(Larimer & Weld County)* Executive Committee, SecondMonday, 6:30 pm, Poudre FireAuthority Conference Room, 102Remington, Ft Collins.Janna Six 970-493-5034.

* Conservation Committee, FourthMondays, 6:30 pm Ft Collins, call DanBihn, 970-498-0376.

Rachel Carson Group

(Eastern Jefferson County)The group is being reorganized. To getinvolved, contact the Chapter office at303-861-8819.

Sangre de Cristo Group(Arkansas River & San Luis Valley)Contact Jim Trujillo, 719-948-4129.

South Platte Group(Arapahoe, Douglas & Jeffco)Second Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 pm.Dinner meeting at various restau-rants. RSVP Judy Gee, 303-761-8743.

Trappers Lake Group(Routt, Moffat, Jackson, Rio Blanco)General Meeting, Second Mondays,12 noon, Centennial Hall, 10th &Lincoln. Call Jane, 970-8779-5760.

Uncompahgre Group(Mesa, Delta, Gunnison)General Meeting, Call Shelly at 970-243-5138 for info.

Weminuche Group(Durango & surrounding Counties)Third Weds, 5:30, Bayou Doc’s, 7102nd Avenue, Durango. Everyone interested in preserving andenjoying the Four Corners’ naturalbeauty is welcome! For info,[email protected].

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Painting Workshop to benefit OpenSpace & Trails: Plein-air painting inthe Crystal River Valley with HenryIsaacs. May 29th, Redstone ArtCenter, Redstone, Co. Call Bev Goss 888-963-3790

Renewable Energy Now! CommunityProsperity Through Self-Sufficiency.June 27 - 29 Montrose Pavilion,Montrose, Colorado. www.cres-energy.org/

The Telluride Mushroom FestivalAugust 21-24, 2003Highlights: Dr. Andrew Weil,Mushroom Feast, Forays, Workshopswww.shroomfestival.com May 29th,Redstone Art Center, Redstone, Co.Call Bev Goss 888-963-3790

GROUP MEETINGS

EV E N TS


YES! I’d like to participate in the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Sierra Club! So we can best utilize your time & talents, check your top 4 priorities only.

___ Accounting/Bookkeeping–Budget/Finance ___ Merchandise Sales___ Air Quality ___ Mining___ Agriculture ___ Newsletters–Chapter/Group___ Energy ___ Outings/Outdoor Service Projects___ Event Planning ___ Outreach/Program Development___ Environmental Education ___ Pesticides___ Environmental Justice ___ Phone Banking___ Federal Facilities Monitoring ___ Population___ Fund raising/Grant Writing ___ Recycling/Simplicity/Sustainability___ Gay & Lesbian Sierrans–a social/outings group ___ Singles___ General office work, data entry, mailing parties ___ Solid Waste–burning haz. wastes___ Genetic Engineering ___ Speakers Bureau/Public Speaking___ Hazardous Materials/Toxics ___ Transportation___ Information Technology–Computers/Web ___ Urban Land Use/Sprawl___ Inner City Outings ___ Water Quality___ International & Trade Issues ___ Water Resources–prof. & experts___ Legislative–Contact legislators/hearings/review ___ Wilderness/Forests/BLM/Public Lands___ Media Relations/Publicity ___ Wildlife/Endangered Species___ Membership/Volunteer Welcome Wagon ___ Write letters to legislators/newspapers

If you are a college/graduate student that has any interest in Sierra Club Student Coalition activities or involvement, please state the name of your college/university below:

Special skills, knowledge or experience I am able to contribute as a Sierra Club volunteer:

Thanks so much for participating! April/May/June 2003

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTERMEMBER INTEREST SURVEY

Please clip, mail or fax (303-861-2436) this form to:(or fill this out online at: www.rmc.sierraclub.org/volunteer.html)

Volunteer Development Committee, Sierra Club1410 Grant Street, Suite B303

Denver, CO 80203NAME ______________________________________________ADDRESS____________________________________________

____________________________________________________

PHONE (day & evening) ______________________________

E-MAIL ______________________________________________

Occupation/Educational Background____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To receive e-mail alerts and announcements(the easiest way to get involved!),

log onto our website to register for them at:www.rmc.sierraclub.org/listserv.html

Sier

ra C

lub

Rock

y M

ount

ain C

hapt

er14

10 G

rant

Stre

et, S

uite

B30

3D

enve

r, CO

8020

3

Non

-Pro

fitO

rgan

izat

ion

US

Post

age

Paid

Den

ver,C

OPe

rmit

#389

INSIDE this issue

8-9

DOLLARS AND CENTS

OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

SPEND THE EVENING WITH COLORADO

PHOTOGRAPHER, JOHN FIELDER

PLAN AHEAD

FOR FOREST FIRE SEASON

10

1

4

Vol

ume

XX

XV

II—

No.

2A

pril/

May

/Jun

e 20

03

OUT OF THE CITY

AND INTO THE WOODS

an evening with john fielder - sierra club · pharmcrops coming to colorado ... wind turbines has...

Documents