Colorado State Open Thread, 7/17/2017 (Picture diary)

Well, it finally happened.  The Kossack and Politician meet-up party I’ve been advertising for over a month took place yesterday afternoon at my house.  The first politician to arrive was Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn (he actually showed up 24 hours earlier, thinking it was Saturday).  Next was State Representative Susan Lontine.  State Senator Dr. Irene Aguilar arrived about 90 minutes into the party — something about doing some first-hand observations of hiking trails in Colorado’s mountains, but she helped close out the event.

Attendees included Mrs. Colotim, my sister who introduced me to Daily Kos way back in 2006 who is in town visiting from Missouri, some Kossacks and some progressive neighbors of mine who were able to come over.

We had excellent discussions about an issue near and dear to my heart, the pending sale and redevelopment of the Colorado Heights University land across the street from my house, with City Councilman Kevin Flynn explaining a good deal about where things stand and how the developers will have to work with the city and public on how they develop the property once it changes hands — likely in August.  Some of my neighbors had not had the chance for a one-on-one with him so this was a good meeting.

Looking across the street towards the campus with the large swath of open space.  Selfishly, I hope I don’t lose that buffer.  Denver has less open space per capita these days than the national average because of explosive population growth.

Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn (on left) and one of my neighbors chat while on a tour of my backyard.  The apricot tree Merry Light sent me a few years ago is on the right growing in the yard.

Representative Lontine was introduced to the world of Daily Kos — I don’t think she’s had much exposure to us, but I explained as best I could just how widespread the interests are and how far the reach is of our group.  

Colorado State Representative Susan Lontine (on left) chatting with my sister

Senator Aguilar has been to meetups before and so she knew some of the folk and was able to participate freely.  She is term-limited so I asked her what her future might hold.  She has been approached about that by many interest groups but she has not precisely settled on what she’ll be interested in doing after her term is up in 2018.  It sounds like she’d like to stay active in some sort of public role rather than just returning to private practice, but she admitted she has been more focused on being Senator than figuring out what she’s going to do in two years.  Her pattern to this point has been more of the citizen politician rather than the professional politician.  I’m glad she’s my neighbor.

State Senator Dr. Irene Aguilar (in orange) chatting with Kossacks and neighbors.  Jenn (next to Senator Aguilar) and Leftcandid (on the right in blue shirt) started the Caffeinating Liberally group.

Here are some more photos of the event.  These were taken by my sister.

We did pick a lovely day for our meetup.

Yours truly conducting the yard and garden tour.  Folks, it’s Sprite Zero in the glass, not anything harder at this point.  I did have some Sangria and beer later.  That sun was hot!

Yours truly standing with my hand on my smoker (this is the cool side).

Pulled pork BBQ from that smoker.  I also cooked a ham in there for the group, drenched in peaches from Palisade, Colorado.

Chips and healthier stuff (papaya, watermelon, pineapple, peaches, sweet limes)

Watermelon, more papaya and grapes

A huge bowl of guacamole made with pineapple toasted on my smoker grill.  This was my sister’s contribution and it was all gone by the end of the evening.  Yum.

Everyone got fed.  Wiley (larger) and Jackson (smaller) were very happy for the pulled pork and ham.

I do mean EVERYONE got fed.

The next Colorado meetup is this coming Saturday for Caffeinating Liberally.  It will be from 9AM — noonish at the Common Grounds Coffeeshop, 44th and Vallejo in NW Denver.  Leftcandid, Jenn and I will all be there, and I hope you’re able to come and socialize as well.

The next event I’m planning is one for Smileycreek and Paradise50 who will be in town the last weekend of September into October.  They suggested a meet-up at a coffeeshop or restaurant either Saturday the 30th or before the Broncos game on the morning of October 1st.  Please set aside some time to welcome them on their visit to the area.

So, what’s on your minds this evening?