Even in the rural West, it is common for humans to enjoy living in town amid wildlife. This phenomenon hasn’t played out in a historic context. Yet. Is it possible for places to tip the scales to make it possible? Many communities think so, with “bear-proof” garbage, containers, preservation of Read more
With Impeachment hearings rapidly unfolding I request that we step back to reflect on where all this is taking us. This cult of personality and bullying being defended over the rule of law and decency has no upside for our systems of governance and demeans the faint hope of our Read more
The bio on Andrew Yang’s book says he has “been the CEO, co-founder or executive of a number of technology and education companies.” He leveraged success to train “the next generation of entrepreneurs” through his non-profit, Venture for America. In The War on Normal People: The Truth about America’s Disappearing Read more
I had a Martin Buber I-Thou moment at this summer’s CCCMA Emerging Managers Summer Camp in Fort Collins when the welcome was delivered by Darin Atteberry, City Manager. His enthusiasm for the job, the place, and the people after 24 years is infectious. “I happen to be one of those Read more
The saying goes, “Don’t judge another person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” It seems a quaint, Depression-era notion today. Who walks a mile anywhere? Who judges status by shoes? Who wears shoes till they are worn through? Who withholds judgment until they see, listen and come to Read more
“The other night I came home late and tried to unlock my house with my car keys. I started the house up. So I drove it around for a while. I was speeding, and a cop pulled me over. He asked where I lived. I said, “right here, officer:” Stephen Read more
This Memorial Day weekend, the Town of Eagle celebrates a significant milestone in a robust public land use process that began in 2014. With the grand opening of Eagle River Park, the in-stream “water park” improvements join an “upland” park carved from an unsightly gravel truck parking area and a Read more
Heard about fraud lately? I sure have. At CCCMA in February this year, Charles Jones, Professor at the University of Kansas taught The Shape of Ethics: Two Columns, Three Triangles. In his presentation he said “ethics and policy have a human face.” He urged city and county managers to open Read more
I am still absorbing the U.S. Mountain Community Summit presented by APX1 and hosted by the Town of Vail January 14-17th to sift through what set it apart from other forums on the resort housing challenge. For one, it wasn’t the usual one-hand clapping conversation among public officials and staff Read more
Happy City by Charles Montgomery features encouraging stories about places improved by individuals. The first and best story of Happy City is about the Mayor of Bogota who altered the Columbian capitals’ sense of possibility through no-car days. Happy City sprints from Athens through tales of modern places revealing urban Read more