Born and Raised, A Rare Breed: Coloradans talk about what they love and what has changed about the state in their lifetime

Coloradans talk about what they love and what has changed about the state in their lifetime

Over the past few decades, more people have flocked to Colorado: first for the outdoors, then legalized marijuana, then for the booming tech industry. Each rush brought changes and growth. However, a rare breed, the born and raised Coloradan, has remained to witness the changes.

Several of these locals took time to discuss the changes in the state, what they love, the growing pains, and everything in between.

Colorado is well-rounded with the glorious Rocky Mountains to the west and the rolling plains to the east. Despite being landlocked, it boasts natural lakes and waterfalls hidden in the crevices of the mountains. It became clear very quickly that the natural environment is what keeps Coloradans here and continuously brings them back. 

“People are drawn to Colorado because they love nature. I think it’s something that unites people,” Jennah Synnestvedt explained. 

As the population increases, the environment changes, and the political climate polarizes, Coloradans remain strong in their unwavering pride for the state. Most agree that Colorado is still special with its hidden gems and versatility. Like Trinity Jacobs put it, “You appreciate different sparks,” as the state evolves. 

Coloradans

Emily Sanchez, Thornton

Emily Sanchez, Thornton

Sanchez has lived in northern Colorado for the majority of her life and has memories all around the state. She spoke warmly about memories of visiting Steamboat Springs, hiking a 14er this year, and going to Elitches. She said that regardless of the area’s quick expansion, “It feels like home. Everybody’s very united, very close.”

“Everything I like doing is here. I get a little bit of outdoor activities. I get the city vibes. I get out in the countryside. Colorado is a state that has a little bit of everything for everyone. You have to go out of your way and look for that spark now, but its there.”

Trevor Klaus, Lafayette

Klaus reflected on the memories he has with his family in the outdoors. After being, as he put it, dragged outside by his mom and experiencing things like camping in the Sand Dunes, he gained an appreciation for the nature that Colorado has to offer. He spoke passionately about the national and state parks here, saying that he hopes we take care of them for future generations.

“If they start messing with them, the environment will get worse. I think the parks are the biggest part of Colorado.” 

Kristen Coats, Longmont

Coats has watched Longmont’s population climb and appreciates the different personalities that have joined the mix. She values the creativity that shines here and the ways that the community has come together to back one another in their crafts.

“I love the hospitality, the creativity, and the willingness to explore new possibilities. We’re open to supporting the community and talking about important subjects without always fighting about it, which is really cool. In other places you can voice an opinion and get shot down, but we actually talk about it. We go through it in depth.”

Ky Pettie, Denver

Ky Pettie, Denver Photo by Lucinda Lazo

Growing up in Pueblo and then attending CU Boulder gave Pettie a unique look into the similarities between the communities. Even though the cities are almost 150 miles apart, he said, “The sense of community between Coloradans has remained the same. We all kind of get each other.”

He expanded on the sense of togetherness Colorado has, saying, “Politically, there’s a lot of safeguards in place for people to be free. It’s a great thing that people would want to come to Colorado for those things – to be in a safe area.”

Jim Roedel, Thornton

Jim Roedel, Thornton

Roedel grew up in Fort Lupton before attending Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction and recently returning north. He spoke optimistically about the future of Colorado and hopes that we maintain spaces where human connection is possible. 

“I’d love to see the arts and the culture and the connection preserved, which is of extreme importance as we move into the future and as humanity changes a little bit.”

“The energy is still very adventurous. I do think there’s just this feeling within Colorado that you don’t really see in other states. There are all the natural landmarks that are here and remain in our history. Red Rocks, for example, is one of those places that will always be that destination. It’s not going to change in my lifetime. There are those traditional things that will be always here that make it a really cool state.”

Tyler Hinrichs, Broomfield

Tyler Hinrichs, Broomfield

Hinrichs also vouched for the mountains being one of Colorado’s main selling points. He was outspoken about his love for the open space that the state has to offer and named the natural environment as his reason for remaining in Colorado. 

“It’s the natural environment, the views. The mountains are just marvelous. You can see from anywhere really and just being able to look at them is what’s special about Colorado. Being able to go into them and ski and hike and whatnot is what really makes Colorado special,” he said. 

Jadyn S, Westminster 

Schelir and her fiancé spent most of their lives in Fort Collins. She shared her love of Colorado proudly and gave us a small glimpse into the memories they’ve created. She highlighted how much more there is to the state than its typical stereotypes. 

Even though she’s lived here her entire life, she laughed about how she hasn’t visited all of the Colorado staples.

“There’s so much I haven’t seen, but I can tell you where to get a cinnamon roll that’ll blow your mind on the way to Estes Park. It’s the random, little things that you know people who aren’t from here can’t relate to.” 

Trinity Jacobs, Westminster

Trinity Jacobs, Westminster

Jacobs has lived in several regions of Colorado and experienced the differences between communities. She made it clear that she loves the state even with its nuances, saying that she hopes we continue to keep “all of it” alive and exciting. 

“It’s just such a cool state. Politically, it’s great, and I’m very comfortable with a lot of the areas I’m in. I like the protections with laws and I appreciate the community. There are a lot of kind-hearted souls here and it’s a beautiful state.” 

Samantha Clark, Colorado Springs

Clark has lived her whole life in Colorado Springs with memories of climbing the Manitou Springs incline and gaining some scars from falling down the bar trail. She hopes for more spaces where people can come together recreationally while acknowleged “the magic that Colorado offers” with its variety. 

“I’m all here for diversity and I think if we could have more people that look different and come from different walks of life, there are always positives in that.”

Jennah Synnestvedt, Lafayette

Synnestvedt moved back to Colorado from New York in 2010, saying, “The mountains called me back.” She explained that the outdoors and diversity were important factors in her decision to return. 

“The population increase has put more people in nature, so it’s more taxing on the land, but it’s also brought some more creativity, innovation, and technology here. It is a sanctuary state too, where it’s friendly to people of different backgrounds.”

Justice Humphrey, Northglenn

Justice Humphrey, Northglenn

Experiencing the four seasons and optimism have kept Humphrey here for her entire life. She spoke about her love for the diversity in Colorado and hopes that we protect that facet of the state. Her openness to the change – while still preserving our history – was inspiring.

“We have a lot of people moving here who are liberal and all on the same page. As a kid, everything was very different, and I see things from a different point of view now. I’ve grown, and the city has grown differently, and it’s making new changes.”

Mark Cavanaugh, Denver

Cavanaugh has 60 years of sentimental memories in Colorado and seemingly infinite stories about how the state has evolved. His love was clear in our over-30-minute conversation, filled with memories of Denver ramping up and suddenly exploding with people. 

He values the essence of his home state, saying, “Colorado embodies the spirit of the American West. It’s a place where you can remake yourself or become whatever it is you want to be, rather than what you’re supposed to be or what you think you’re trapped to be.”

“We welcome all. It is shaped like a big welcome mat and we welcome people. That’s true Colorado spirit. We have always been a very welcoming and tolerant state.” 

Rita Kendrick, Louisville

Kendrick and her family settled down in Colorado after moving to California twice. As an educator, she values the state’s history – both its achievements and harms – and passing the culture down to future generations. She spoke about the nostalgia of visiting places like 16th Street Mall, Casa Bonita, and Frisco and being able to share those places with her children. 

“I think a lot of  has to do with the outdoors. The outdoor environment, the mountains, being able to ski, being able to hike. I hope that we don’t continue to build, and build, and build, and lose that character of the mountains. Lose the wilderness. Lose the animals. The scenery is beautiful. And the lifestyle – we’re laid back.”

Lena Wenzel, Louisville 

Lena Wenzel, Louisville

Wenzel’s parents settled down in a farmhouse in Louisville in the late 60s. She spoke fondly of her memories rollerskating at Wheels, eating at the LA Diner, and participating in the Pearl Street Mall Crawl. Despite moving across the world to Morocco and integrating into a completely different culture, Wenzel came back to Colorado. 

“I guess I had to go all the way across the world to understand how important this place is to me,” she said. “I do feel very safe here. It’s a bubble, but I enjoy my bubble.”

Living just blocks away from the 2021 Marshall Fire gave Wenzel a deeper gratitude for Colorado and the community that has been built. She is still in proximity to her childhood friends and old restaraunt owners. Even with the “urban sprawl” and commercialization of the area, she has roots in Louisville. She and her partner volunteer at the Louisville Historical Museum and own The Aristrocrat Studios.

Kristen Wells-Wrasman, Englewood

Kristen Wells-Wrasman, 34, was born in the highest incorporated town in the United State, Leadville. After attending Colorado College on a full scholarship, she left the state briefly to get her PhD from Stanford University, before returning to settle down in Englewood. She explains,  “The biggest, obvious change in Colorado is ski traffic.” Wells-Wrasman, an avid hiker, also notes, “fires and parasites [mountain pine beetle] have really changed the Colorado forests as well.”

Sandee Miller, Leadville

Sandee Miller, 72 is a second-generation Coloradan, coming from a family of Mexican immigrants who fled to Colorado Springs when Pancho Villa took control in Mexico. For her, there have been many changes, also citing the growth of cities. Additionally, she mentions shopping as a major change, “When I was young, you went to shops downtown. Kids would meet there with kids from other parts of the west side, north end etc. Then malls were popular. Now I never think of going to a mall. Grocery stores were a place to get necessities. There were more independent grocers. Many in converted houses in neighborhoods. Even then many were kinda funky. Not that fresh. You would just walk to these neighborhood stores like the Egg House in Colorado Springs. Now grocery stores are shopping adventures. 

Amanda Slater, Louisville

Amanda Slater, 39 was born and raised in Broomfield, Co. After a brief stint in Montana, she settled with her family in Louisville. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Slater has spent a fair amount of time skiing, cycling, and hiking around the state. “Suburban sprawl and traffic are the biggest changes I have seen.” While Slater doesn’t mind the additional enthusiasm for the state, the recent growth has made some big changes in the Boulder Valley.

Alisandra Gulic, Eagle

Alisandra Guilic, 35 has spent her life in the Vail Valley, living on a family ranch and working in childcare. In her time living and working in the mountains, she has seen the area change. 

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