March 28, 2008 7:02 AM
I-70 tolls killed but Ike Hike lives
At some point in the near future you're probably going to have to pay to travel I-70 through the Colorado mountains.
The legislature turned down a proposal for tolls during weekend ski traffic rush-hours as well as on Sundays year-around. However, a plan to impose a toll of up to $5 each way at the Eisenhower Tunnel was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Chris Barge reports:
Sen. Andy McElhany's bill is aimed at providing $3.5 billion for whatever highway improvements between Floyd Hill and Summit County are determined necessary.The Colorado Springs Republican's bill would exempt residents of Clear Creek, Summit and Gilpin counties from the toll. But opponents complained that businesses in the mountain corridor depend on workers from Denver and elsewhere who shouldn't be tolled for driving to work.
Greg Fulton, president of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, which represents the trucking industry, told the committee that the bill could violate the federal Commerce Clause because it creates a special class of people exempt from the toll.
"I can't imagine that's a factor," McElhany said later.
Other opponents argued that toll booths would slow down traffic. While McElhany's bill does not dictate where the toll booths would be built, he assured the committee that they could be erected off the shoulder of the highway so as not to impede traffic.
McElhany's bill heads next to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where it must be approved before being considered by the full Senate.
Is the Eisenhower toll plan reasonable? How would you deal with the congestion? Bus service? A high-speed train from DIA to Vail constructed with both public and private funds?
January 25, 2008
9:24 AM
jay writes:
Romer must not like his elected position.
January 25, 2008
9:35 AM
It's opposite day writes:
This is a great idea!
Shaggy sounds educated and genteel.
Jay always makes his points.
JW is a refined gentleman.
I won't finish in your mouth.
Bush is an inspiring leader.
The oil revenues will pay for the war in Iraq.
Saddam had WMDs, and was behind 9/11
We'll get Bin Laden.
NASCAR is riviting entertainment.
Britney will get it together.
Ritter is a wonderful governor
Taxes help maintain our infrastructure
Mexican immigrants enrich our culture with their ethnic contributions.
I'll call you soon, sweetheart
Size doesn't matter.
Rap music is great!
I really had a good time tonight, and you are the best.
Nancy Pelosi is a great example for our girls.
The tax rebate will really stimulate the economy.
January 25, 2008
9:47 AM
RonT writes:
Hmm - turn parking lot attendants into agents of the state? Well, with so many 'brave' Americans willing to stand in security lines and be wanded, or be frisked and searched at concerts, maybe Romer thinks the time has come to up the ante a little bit. Ah, the slippery slope....
January 25, 2008
9:59 AM
David Hakala writes:
This is an overly complicated plan to get impatient rich people on the slopes when they wish. How about raising lift ticket prices for those who arrive during peak hours?
January 25, 2008
10:09 AM
SASQUATCH writes:
Tax hike, fee hike toll...tax hike, fee hike, toll...tax hike, fee hike, toll...
CO is wearing thin on me while Wyoming is looking better by the minute.
January 25, 2008
10:19 AM
ML writes:
I simply refuse to go up on the weekends anymore. If I really want to ski, I'll take a day off during the week and go. Much more sane.
January 25, 2008
10:53 AM
Anonymous writes:
Considering the majority of colorado outdoor enthusiasts are clearly libtards, raise the damn taxes! Its always amazing how against paying for shit they are when its a righty that has to foot the bill!
January 25, 2008
10:57 AM
Tree writes:
This topic really has my slot machine spinning its wheels. We could all go different directions with pro's and con's.
1. Let's flip Romer's rock over and see what's hiding underneath. Oh, a fat set of 185cm powder boards. Sounds like his get out of my way toll road idea is pretty personal. If Romer didn't ski, would he have penned the idea for the rest of us?
2. $12. Is that each way? Does someone want to add $24. to a $75 or more ski lift ticket. Oh,
"Romer, a longtime skier and investment banker sick of sitting in weekend rush-hour traffic" An Investment Banker. There you go. This is change in the ashtray of his 4wd SUV Lexus.
3. Do we live in a Class Society? Hell yeah we do. Romer is saying get out my way peasant. I'll even pay you for it.
Reminds me of the Van Halen song where David Lee Roth is singing about sex (of course) on the song "Everybody wants Some" and at the very end says "fuck, I'll pay you for it".
4. What happened to the billion dollar high speed rail going up the mountain idea? That's too much tax and what? It won't drop you off at your condo in Beaver Creek?
5. What about this voucher idea where we can spend our $12. at the ski lodge restaurant. Is this Guv't cheese all over again? A chipolte burrito incentive to get out of my way?
6. You do know what's coming when the Guv't issues our $600. tax refund stimulate the economy checks this Spring, car dealers and furniture stores are already setting up their "sign over your checks here" booths. It's going to be sick. History repeats itself. I can every merchant in Silverthorne with those window stickers already. " We accept your Guv't Cheese here".
This reminds me of the movie Caddyshack where the old guy (Ted?) is launching his sail boat with a champaign celebration and ask the caddy, Danny, "what are doing on Saturday". Danny is thinking cool, I can hang out with the Beaver Creek people and go sailing, so he says " why nothing sir". Then Ted drops the bomb, " good, then you can come over and mow my lawn". Classic.
Hey Romer, what are your doing Saturday? Come on over and shovel my driveway, fuck, I'll pay you for it.
January 25, 2008
10:59 AM
ML writes:
"Considering the majority of colorado outdoor enthusiasts are clearly libtards, ..." anon @ 10:53am
Please post the link showing the study that confirms your (obviously) carefully thought out statement. Otherwise, please do everyone a favor and STFU!
January 25, 2008
11:03 AM
ML writes:
Tree, you mentioned on another post that you have 10 hockey sticks for sale. I coach a youth team, and may have a good lead for you on that. Can you give me specifics on the sticks...make, model, material, flex, R/L, etc.
January 25, 2008
11:10 AM
Ron Lumberg writes:
Yeah Romer, we're gonna need you to go ahead and come in on Saturday since we lost some people, so if you could just go ahead and come in, that'd be greeeeat...
January 25, 2008
11:24 AM
Tree writes:
ML-
Let me get back to you on that this afternoon, running out to lunch.
January 25, 2008
1:21 PM
Tree writes:
ML, I've got gear sitting in my basement.
shoot me an email at blackdogmaybe@yahoo.com
January 25, 2008
2:56 PM
Anonymous writes:
A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.
A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were
living in the Stone Age.
D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.
E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and
20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.
While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at New Orleans. It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.
Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number, what does it mean?
A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of
New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you
each get $516,528.
B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in
New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.
C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family
gets $2,066,012.
Washington, D.C .. HELLO!!! ... Are all your calculators broken??
Tax his land,
Tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes is the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirts,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his booze,
Tax his beers,
If he cries,
Tax his tears.
Tax his bills,
Tax his gas,
Tax his notes,
Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers,
Tax him more,
Tax him until he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom!'
And when he's gone,
We won't relax,
We'll still be after the inheritance TAX!!
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Perm it Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fe e Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Su rcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Su rcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax.
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago,
and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What happened? Can you spell Democrats.
Who is behind this proposal? A Democrat
January 25, 2008
3:01 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) aka ignorant strawman warmonger racist without friends writes:
Everything should have demand based pricing. So make I-70 a toll road from Avon to Evergreen and price tolls accordingly.
January 25, 2008
3:05 PM
Anonymous writes:
apparently someone hasn't quite come to terms with the fact that the republican policies of the last 7 years are going to result in an inevitable tax hike.
January 25, 2008
4:11 PM
Tree writes:
I would hate to be the person who burned dinner for 2:56
I think we all realize we didn't have "these" taxes 100 years ago. We also didn't have a military operation that out spends every country in the world COMBINED, so your republican voting spouse can sit at home safe and sound, watch fox noise and not burn your dinner.
January 25, 2008
6:34 PM
Anonymous writes:
Leave it to a Democrat to tax the users of I70 on top of the taxes they pay to maintain and upgrade the same road.
This is why Democrats are continually the tax and waste party. Congrats.
January 25, 2008
7:33 PM
Anonymous writes:
I do some work for State sponsored facilities and we aren't allowed to charge them Taxes.
January 26, 2008
12:52 AM
Anonymous writes:
What do you think? Should Coloradans have to pay to drive on their own road?
This is funny. Think Doug Bruce would pay? or any pubs for that matter?
No. We should be lucky that we have any roads at all.
January 26, 2008
9:01 AM
Anonymous writes:
this is a great tax idea by a Dumocrat - it has natural appeal because the users of I70 on a weekend are majority white - few minorities on the road to the ski resorts.
Now if they could only do something about those consistent references to "white" snow. Maybe a resolution can be attached to the tax to cease referring to snow by these racist terms.
LOL
January 26, 2008
2:35 PM
Ace King writes:
A better solution than tolls can be found at www.freeskibus.org where a simple transit test is outlined. Before we spend billions on expansion of I-70 and building a train into the mountains, let's see if people are actually willing to use it.
January 26, 2008
5:35 PM
Holier Than Thou writes:
Every bit as popular as the proverbial turd in a punch bowl, charging a toll doesn't fix the problem. Mountain topography makes highway widening prohibitive, so the solution is to move people faster. How does putting up a toll gate and stopping everyone to collect the fee effect that?
At 60-mph, one bus carrying 30 passengers requires 150-feet of roadway for safe following at peak traffic capacity. Let's be generous and assume that each car carries 5 passengers. At 60-mph, the car also needs about 150-feet of roadway. The six cars needed to carry the 30 passengers require at least 900-feet of roadway. Chances are that there are less than 5 passengers per car, so add another 150-feet per car. A bus requires less than 1/10th the roadway to carry an equal number of passengers at peak traffic capacity. This is why you idiots should learn some math.
As the number of vehicles increases at peak traffic, the available safe following distance decreases and the traffic must slow down, which is why the average speed is approaching something like 10-mph.
The solution: make all the skiers from down below ride the bus.
How? Make all the ski resorts include bus service in the price of the lift ticket and then provide that bus service.
Jesus! Why are you people so clueless?
January 26, 2008
8:41 PM
Anonymous writes:
It's so sad to see jay m decompensate as one of his aliases - again.
January 27, 2008
12:14 PM
Anonymous writes:
decompensate? is that a word? is that the same as uncompensate? or disconmpensate? how about malcompensate? i've heard of decompose and decompress, but decompensate is a new one on me. is it a home schooled word?
January 27, 2008
7:58 PM
Bottombly writes:
I think 8:41's point is understood despite the misspelling, don't you jay?
January 28, 2008
3:06 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) aka ignorant strawman warmonger racist without friends writes:
HTT,
Free bus service would definitely help. Here is a toll schedule that would help also.
Cars from California $100
Cars from Texas $200
Tractor Trailers $300
Subarus $400
January 28, 2008
3:22 PM
Anonymous writes:
And cars from Boulder, $5,000.00
January 29, 2008
8:27 AM
just sayin' writes:
Is somebody going to pay me $25 for sitting at home? I think I saw that in an article somewhere. "As popular as a turd in a punch bowl" now that is classic. Reminds me of "more gay than cum on a mustache". That's another classic.
January 29, 2008
9:33 AM
Anonymous writes:
just sayin, got a little something on your mustache there.
January 29, 2008
9:37 AM
Anonymous writes:
A $5 billion train? Suddenly, Romer doesn't sound so ridiculous. :-)
We might make buses work if the only way to get a lift ticket is to disembark from a bus. Adding bus fare into the price of a ticket won't get the job done. Exemptions could be made for handicap vehicles.
January 29, 2008
9:44 AM
ML writes:
Hogar, I am not getting your reference to Subarus...or are you just being sarcastic/facetious?
January 29, 2008
10:25 AM
Not Rocket Science writes:
Here's the solution; repeat after me: Move more people faster. Move more people faster. MOVE MORE PEOPLE FASTER. There. Get it?
January 29, 2008
11:14 AM
Tree writes:
Yeah Hogar, what's up with the Subaru reference?
$5B is a drop of a hat compared to what we spend spreading democracy in Iraqnam. I remember Republicans in favor of the invasion telling us citizens the oil revenues will pay for the war. I don't remember Bush bringing up the subject last night how much he's collected in oil revenues.
How about, just build the $5B high speed train/elevated rail, and bill it to our grandkids with interest.
Shaggy, just think, you can get on board of that "CRAZY TRAIN" and play all the Randy Rhodes you can handle.
My vote, we build the high speed rail all the way from DIA to all the resorts. Let the car rental company's lobby against it. Ready, set, fight.
January 29, 2008
12:10 PM
jay writes:
Half a month's worth of the bill for the fiasco in iraq and I can take a high speed train to the hill?
sign me up
please
January 29, 2008
12:50 PM
ML writes:
I'm with Tree and jay...if they build it, I will definitely use it!
January 29, 2008
1:03 PM
Yes! Oh Yes! writes:
We can easily fund the high-speed train with additional taxes on cigarettes and fast food. And the casinos can chip in, too!
January 29, 2008
1:52 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) aka ignorant strawman warmonger racist without friends writes:
Tree and ML,
I have noticed that the number one offenders of failure to keep right are subarus. I suspect that they are actually trying to prevent people from passing them so they can force them to drive slower.
January 29, 2008
2:16 PM
Tree writes:
Hoger, I used to drive a '97 Subaru Imprezza outback. Great little hatchback and with some good snow tires, it had traction like a cat on carpet. I don't know what I was doing when I sold it, best car I ever owned.
January 29, 2008
2:50 PM
mh air writes:
hmmm...i remember when dia was projected to cost 1.5 billion. if this latest ballpark figure becomes a little bit of history repeating, plan on 15 billion as the final price tag.
January 29, 2008
2:54 PM
Shaggy writes:
Hog, I have to agree with Tree about the Subaru part,
In fact I am looking at getting a used one right now to drive around for work.
I need a four wheel drive to get to some of the projects we do and my SUV is a gas hog.... Period.... I am usually by myself so I don't need a big truck.
The problem I am finding out is that Subarus retain their value so much and I wasn't planning on spending X$X on a used one with 30,000 or so miles.
They go forever if you maintain them.
The WRX's are little race machines right out of the box.
I will probably go for the outback style though. I sat in the bucket race seats on the WRX and it is a tight fit, they are also a bumpy ride I was told.
January 29, 2008
3:15 PM
just sayin' writes:
My wife bought an Outback 2 years ago and we love the car. Never get stuck or even slide in snow. The peace of mind is well worth it. We paid about $28K and I gulped hard. A golfing buddy of mine bought a Mercedes last Summer for $150K. Geez, he could have bought 5 Subaru's.
January 29, 2008
3:20 PM
ML writes:
That's pretty funny, Hogar, because I have noticed that those who usually fail to keep right are driving humongous SUVs, talking on the cell phone, and driving 5-10 mph under the speed limit. By the by, I drive a Subaru Outback, stay to the right except when passing, and Tree is right...it handles great and the mileage is quite respectable. Shaggy, take note.
January 29, 2008
4:03 PM
Tree writes:
ML-
Back in '97 I used zip around in that thing and just wished it had a turbo. Now that the WRX is out, I'll pass. I don't want to end up like those 3 kids who fought the light pole and lost. 13lbs of turbo boost in a car that light is a quick trip to jail or death. And, I don't want to be caught dead driving a car with a wing. Unless it's says Road Runner on the side. Beep Beep.
http://www.allpar.com/model/superbird.html
January 29, 2008
6:38 PM
Shaggy writes:
Tree, ML, Just,
I am serious about getting a Subaru.
The Outbacks also have the turbo, do you think I should go that route?
Were/are any of you under powered?
I am not a speeder for the most part, just want plenty of power to pull the hill and for passing.
I think the plain models are around 170 hp.
The turbo Outback is around 245 hp.
I am not interested in the WRX style, the Outback would allow me to haul small loads. I am going to keep my big truck for big loads and just keep it parked down at the shop, but just want something to drive back and forth from home to work and misc., I am tired of spending 80 bucks at the pump to fill up, and sometimes that is twice a week.
From what others have told me is if you maintain them and take care of them, you can't wear them out. Plus they hold their value.
Then again, I would feel bad about not buying American made, this would be a first for me.
App. the input.
January 29, 2008
7:26 PM
Matt writes:
Why not use that 5 Billion+ to build a few more ski areas on and around the Front Range? Forget the train.
January 30, 2008
5:05 AM
Thank you Dick Lamm and John Denver NOT writes:
We needed a high-speed train um, like about 30 years ago, but all the holier than thou types and gov't cronies dismissed that idea as too costly--besides making Colorado a magnet for overpopulation, blah, blah, blah. Yet the crowds came anyway. If Colorado had voted FOR the Olympics, we could've had LOTS of alternative transportation by now. But no. . .
January 30, 2008
6:34 AM
ML writes:
Shaggy, my Outback has a manual transmission and yes, I need to downshift from 5th to 4th to make it up some of the mountain passes, but I have never considered it underpowered. I can't answer as to how it would do pulling a small load. I have never owned anything other than a 4-cylinder car, so really cannot compare it to much else, but for my purposes, it does just fine. As to your concern with not buying American, well, they're made in Indiana...you can't get more American than that!
January 30, 2008
7:40 AM
just sayin' writes:
I wouldn't say that it is the zippiest car but it has enough pick up. I don't know anything about the Turbos. You should go to a dealer and drive both then go buy the used one that you like. I don't have any qualms about wasting a car salesman's time, they usually just standing around anyway. My dad was really upset with me when I bought a Toyota in 1982. (real piece of crap it was on of those Celicas that looked like a door stop. You don't see any of those anymore) My dad thought I should be deported for buying a foreign car. LOL
January 30, 2008
8:07 AM
ML writes:
Yup, as js said, just go test drive one (or several) and you'll be sold.
January 30, 2008
8:15 AM
car guy writes:
Shaggy-
The outback wagon is offered with a 6 cylinder 3.0 ltr engine. Plenty of power pulling up the hill. The wagon is also offered in a 4 banger turbo that has incredible acceleration. The downfall with the turbo, since the boost is so high, you have to buy premium gas and that's expensive. You might want to go with the 6 cylinder. Turbo's create red hot heat. Heat wears out engines faster.
January 30, 2008
8:35 AM
SASQUATCH writes:
How about the Jimmie Carter solution? Even numbered license plates on one weekenend, odd numbers on the next?
Yep, Wyoming is looking better by the minute.
January 30, 2008
8:39 AM
Shaggy writes:
Tnks guys,
I will definitely test drive them, the six cylinder is looking better and better because I'll bet if that turbo went out it would be a pricey fix.
btw, I won't be pulling loads, sometimes I need to haul some product for work.
Anything real heavy I will have my 1 ton to that kind of work.
Thnks again.
January 30, 2008
9:06 AM
ML writes:
Ok Shaggy, but if you end up getting one, make sure you stay to the right when you're not passing, otherwise you'll have Hogar pissed off at you! :)
January 30, 2008
9:22 AM
Shaggy writes:
LoL,
Hog will speak in tongues and put a curse on me:)
What kind of mpg are you getting with the 4 banger ML?
How big is your tank?
If I can save a couple hundred a month, that could go to my monthly payment plus save mileage on my other one.
Mine gets about 10 or 11 mph:(
January 30, 2008
9:46 AM
gr8fuldude writes:
Shagster - Some friends of mine bought an Outback in 1996, and they are still driving the thing today. They love it.
January 30, 2008
9:49 AM
ML writes:
Shag, I get low 20s in city driving, and mid-to-high 20s on the highway....heck of a lot better than 10-11 mpg. Ouch! I think the tank holds about 15 gallons, but I wouldn't swear to that.
January 30, 2008
1:16 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) aka ignorant strawman warmonger racist without friends writes:
ML and Tree,
Did not mean to offend you with the Subaru comment. And I will retract that and say generally:
Vehicles that fail to keep right $400.
ML,
The second worst offenders after Subarus (not all Subaru drivers) is anyone yapping on a cell phone, SUV or otherwise.
Coloradans in general seem to have a problem keeping to the right except to pass.
January 30, 2008
2:13 PM
ML writes:
Right you are, Hogar...it almost seems that the right lane has become the default passing lane due to all the morons just cruising along in the left lane.
January 31, 2008
5:46 AM
Tired writes:
Shag, Tree Et all,
I probably shouldn't let this one out of the bag but for those who want to see what real snow is like you may try looking south. I am getting ready to head up this AM to a local resort with no crowds, no man-made snow and no bumper to bumper traffic, see Monarch.com!
How about a resort that is owned by locals, you can park and walk to the lifts and you never have to travel the I-70 corridor. Plus it has some of the sickest terrain in the state (Mirkwood). My apologies to those who have discovered the bliss of NOT skiing amongst the Denver hordes. Yeah it is a longer drive, but with the congestion on 70 you will spend about the same amount of time in the car plus you get to play at an area that is a throwback to what it was like 30 years ago.....
January 31, 2008
9:24 AM
Tree writes:
Tired-
I've made the big drive to Wolf Creek twice 2 years ago for the snow with a co-worker who raves about it. Even rented a room there not far from the resort that allowed my dog.
I forgot, my co-worker is a snow boarder from out of state and doesn't need the steep and speed. I practically came to a stop 200 yards before getting to the chair lift. It's not steep enough for me. It's best runs are hardly blue. Great place to take the kids I would imagine. I don't have any kids.
It's been 10 years since I've done Monarch, maybe I'll have to go back. I can't remember the terrain too well. Does it have good blacks?
January 31, 2008
9:33 AM
Tree writes:
Are we building this high speed elevated light rail or not?
It can't be a train, trains don't have the traction to go up the hill on rail, that's why it takes 6 hours to take Amtrack from Denver to Glenwood Springs- you have to detour the thing practically to Wyoming to avoid the passes.
I'm ready, get those Colorado no bid contracts flowing, All aboard, I'll even listen crazy train with shaggy on the trip. Once. Then it's the easy listening Dead hour.
January 31, 2008
10:09 AM
james writes:
How about employers trading Saturday work days for skiing on weekdays (in industries or offices where feasible)
I never have an issue heading up to the slopes Monday or Tuesday. Weekends? I don't even bother anymore
james http://www.futuregringo.com
January 31, 2008
11:16 AM
subaru driver writes:
Hey, I have a 2004 Subaru Forester with a turbo, standard transmission, and I love it. I bought it off the showroom floor. I never thought I would own anything that even remotely resembles a stationwagon, but it was number one in safety ratings when compared to small SUV's and the insurance rates are much lower than for a normal SUV. My biggest pet peeve is people driving in the left lane when not passing. I have no problem driving in the mountains with the power the turbo provides, but the gas mileage is not quite as good with that kicking in all of the time. I like to pass quickly and get back in the lane where I belong.
February 1, 2008
2:39 AM
Tired writes:
Tree,
Monarch opened an area previously out-of-bounds and only served by their Cat operation called Mirkwood Forest. The only steeper terrain I've seen is at Silverton Mtn. It is a 20 min. hike but that keeps it fresh... check it out.
March 14, 2008
10:02 AM
England writes:
Tax it. And they will come.
Freeway of dreams.
Is there any tea laying around I can tax?
March 14, 2008
11:00 AM
Shaggy writes:
Now TaxRitter and TaxLooper have a new buddy......TaxRomer.
This is a great idea beings we are all struggling with the last round of taxes they imposed on us, the high gas prices, 80 thousand foreclosures in Denver alone last year.
All three of them are narcissistic.
March 14, 2008
11:47 AM
England writes:
Shaggy-
You're not helping. You're standing in the back bitching. How are you going to run your household without income? How are you going to pay for your mortgage, cars/trucks, your new deck and grill and new roof for the house without income? Fixing hiways and improvements is done by taxes, or income.
If you don't love your country, if you aren't patriotic, come on over to England, you'll love our taxes and hate our gun laws. Right back at you, whatever you say.
March 14, 2008
12:11 PM
Shaggy writes:
England,
I didn't realize I wasn't employed anymore and I don't want to move to England thank you.
If you want to pay for tax after tax after tax that these Democrats keep imposing, I am not standing in your way, don't force it on me...
March 14, 2008
1:00 PM
Bud writes:
Shaggy,
Why can't you say taxes being imposed by republicans? Why is that so hard for you?
The $5. toll is being imposed by a republican.
The war tax you haven't even started to pay yet was imposed by the republicans and it's going to make a $5. toll look like a decaf useless latte from 7-11. Get a clue man. Now I see how people get so tired of your non logic. And answer jay's question already!
March 14, 2008
1:12 PM
Anonymous writes:
Bud, you need to get a clue dolt. Its not a tax imposed by a republican, its a TOLL. Get it? What am I hearing, another femdem libtard who doesnt want to have a pay toll because rich republicans should the toll for him? If you dont ski, it wont affect you anyway jackass. The vast majority of Skiers / boarders are libtards, you can tell by the stickers all over their cars. This is a great example of you jackass femdems simply wanting someone else to pay your way, and as usual, you femdems want everyone but YOU to have to pay.
March 14, 2008
1:18 PM
Anonymous writes:
Hey Bud aka jay LoL...you so stupid it funny
March 14, 2008
1:49 PM
Bud writes:
I'm dealing with Shaggy, the manchild. When you get frustrated, you scream bloody murder.
I'll take the other posters word for it, you're retarded. I'm not jay. Not Ray, and not Rayjay you tool. I could be a rich Republican or Democrat or Indy. Doesn't quite matter.
March 14, 2008
2:18 PM
Anonymous writes:
Republicans just love to bury taxpayers with Interest costs and eventual debt repayment - why would they oppose burying taxpayers with higher taxes?
After all, small projects like this one a drop in the bucket compared to tjhe unnecessary interest costs we pay every year due to the GOP tactic of borrow-and-spend-like drunken sailors.
March 14, 2008
2:48 PM
ML writes:
HOV lanes are a failed social experiment. Just look at Santa Fe or I-25 during rush hour for proof of that. Open the HOV lanes up for anyone and you will increase overall traffic flow and decrease congestion.
March 17, 2008
9:13 AM
dl1011 writes:
Are any of the ski resorts like Vail, Keystone,Copper putting any dough into this issue? Seems to me like they should, as they benifit from it.
March 17, 2008
9:16 AM
dl1011 writes:
Are any of the ski resorts like Vail, Keystone,Copper putting any dough into this issue? Seems to me like they should, as they benifit from it.
March 17, 2008
4:05 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) aka ignorant strawman warmonger racist withsome friends writes:
"The residents of Summit and Clear Creek counties would be exempt from paying the toll."
Why? If you use infrastructure, you should pay for it. There should be demand based pricing for all from C470 to Copper Mountain exit 195.
March 28, 2008
8:45 AM
Oracle writes:
This is yet another one of those "this won't raise your taxes" tax hikes. The state borrowed from future federal revenue to finance T-Rex, and are now short on money while they are repaying the debt. Duh.
T-Rex was a disaster. Traffic still slows at the same places, it just does it in between federal agenda items like light rail, Lexus lanes and on-ramp metering. Just what we needed - traffic jams with Washington, D.C. polish on them, and long term debt to drain our future.
The only solution to traffic west out of Denver is more roads, not wider roads. Keep improving 285, and add a hookup to Breckenridge from Fairplay. Make Clear Creek Canyon a four or six lane superhighway, and add a hookup from Henderson mine to Silverthorne.
...or cower in denial, smoke some crack, and believe that a $5 toll will solve the problem.
March 28, 2008
6:54 PM
Brain writes:
I will not vote for anyone who votes for this "toll/tax"!
I am calling and e-mailing my reps and warning them not to vote for this!!
March 29, 2008
7:43 AM
Ace writes:
Alternatives already exist for skiers wishing to avoid the I-70 gridlock, but few people are willing to be flexible. This is also true for Senator Chris Romer, who won't consider ideas other than his own for reducing traffic.
A simple, low-cost test can be used to determine just how many skiers and snowboarders would actually use a proposed train to the mountains. In addition, the test would show us exactly what I-70 would be like without 16,000 cars per day.
Visit www.FreeSkiBus.org to see how it works. Clicking here is the only way to see the proposal because the Rocky Mountain News isn't interested in covering it. Decide for yourself if the idea has merit.
March 29, 2008
8:04 PM
suburbdweller writes:
A $5 toll is highway robbery. Folks back east have toll roads, lots of 'em, but they are absolutely astounded when they discover how much it costs to go a few miles on E470.
"How did this ever come to pass?" they ask.
"Colorado's a red state," I explain, "where huge profits are made by government-created businesses all the time."
It's at this point that I usually cite the emissions test racket and the accident-creating traffic light cameras erected in the name of safety.
Truth is, the notion that the state doesn't already have enough money to maintain and improve the highway system as needed is a farce.
Colorado is an income tax state, meaning they're getting HUGE revenues from virtually everyone in the state (check your tax bill from last year).
Maintaining public infrastructure is Number 1 on my list of things that tax money should be getting used for.
If there isn't enough left to do that, then maybe the state should stop spending it on other misguided things, like the booming penententiary system needed to incarcerate those guilt of victimless "crimes" like drug possession & use---things widely understood to be diseases requiring treatment, not crimes for which punishment has shown to have any significant effect.
April 1, 2008
8:06 AM
gr8fuldude writes:
Has anyone considered the fact that if Eisenhower is a toll tunnel, then many cars are just going to take US 6 over Loveland Pass...so the problem is not really solved, just moved.
April 26, 2008
9:36 PM
Robert Baker writes:
Build a monorail!!! folks will use it because of gas prices, convenience, and this will save our mountains. the whole idea to skiing is the fresh outdoor air. why smog it up with a car.
5 billion is a lot of money, however the air is priceless. Enjoying the outdoors is amazing and wouldn't it be nice to just move smoothly along the rails without the accidents, gridlock at the expense of our children's jeopardized right to do the same?