Colorado Darwin awards and other Colorado, CO Local Custom Tips

As late as the 1940's people who owned cabins in isolated regions of Colorado would leave them unlocked and stocked with food, in case a stranger would need sanctuary from a storm. Unfortunately, in the years following WWII, there were many cases of theft and vandalism to the cabins. Many owners dealt with the problem by locking their doors. But one Texan, the owner of a cabin near lake city, decided to rig a shotgun to fire at anyone who opened the door. Unfortunately for him, after leaving the cabin, he realized he'd forgotten something and went back to retrieve it. The man forgot about his new security system, opened the door and blew himself away.

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The original Hard Rock Café, although not of the franchise. In 1934, the Empire Café in the town of Empire, changed its name to the Hard Rock Café, honoring the hard rock miners of the area for their patronage. The Hard Rock Café chain, est in 1971, sued the preceding Hard Rock Café restaurant for trademark infringement, and lost.

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One of the most interesting amendments passed in Colorado in recent years, but subsequently declared unconstitutional, was one stating that all official business must be conducted in English. It was so broadly worded that it was questionable whether lawyers could use Latin terms.

In Ouray, it is illegal for a woman to work as a waitress or bartender in any saloon for the purpose of attracting customers.

Also, minors can not frequent a billiard house, saloon or house of ill repute between the hours of 9 pm and 5 am

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New York Times editor Horace Greeley attempted to create a cooperative colony in west Colorado. In 1878, Nathan Meeker was appointed agent of the colony. An overly zealous man, Meeker attempted to "civilize" the Ute population in the area by educating them in the ways of the whites. Meeker even went so far as to have the Utes call him "Father Meeker." His attempts were not well received as Meeker was killed and mutilated by the tribesman he over whom he attempted to exert paternal control.

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Taylor Adams began the Tomato Wars in 1982 as a protest against Texans in Colorado who constantly try to change the environment of the state. Legend has it that in 1982, when Adams was still the owner of the Black Wolf Inn at Twin Lakes, a woman from Dallas, while gazing upon Mt Elbert, said: "This is a pretty area. Its a shame nobody's done anything with it." This may have been the comment which inspired the battle cry: "Keep Colorado beautiful: put a Texan on a bus."
The tomato war contest is held in September. The battle zone varies from year to year. The rules are simple: There is an army consisting of a captain, 9 soldiers and an M.P. The soldiers carry their ammunition in plastic grocery bags strapped to their waists. The bugle sounds at noon and the Colorado soldiers charge the Texans, who usually retreat into their fort (known as the Tomalamo) and defend their fort by throwing tomatoes at a rapid pace. Soldiers hit above the torso by a tomato are considered dead and must leave the battlefield and watch from the sidelines. Although the Colorado armies often run out of ammunition, they ultimately surround the Texans fort and bring down the Lone Star flag. The process usually takes about 2 hours. After Saturdays battle, there is a shoot out on Sunday among the winning contestants.
Some of the best strategies have included a Texan arriving by helicopter, a Coloradoan arriving by parachute and a peace march held by a dissenting army, holding signs such as "Hell No We Won't Throw" and spouting slogans that tomatoes should be used for other uses, such as bloody marys. The best strategy involved an attractive Texas female who began to undress within sight of advancing male Colorado warriors. The Coloradoans were caught off guard and ambushed.

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Though the mythology and religion of the ancient southwestern Native Americans varies from tribe to tribe, there are many similarities. Emotional attachment to the land they dwelled upon dominated their lives and religion. The homeland was the center of their universe, an no common forces of nature could impel them to leave.
Today's Pueblo people live in the same rugged desert environment. They are there because it is their home, and they have always persistently resisted relocation by the U.S. Government. Belief in their religion and an intimate knowledge of their heritage seem to have provided the Puebloans with the strength needed to endure and enjoy such a world. These are a successful people who in early times sustained their culture. They lived with and survived Spanish culture for more than 200 years, and have also endured the stress of living with a constantly changing U.S. culture.

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