Yesterday, we asked select Colorado legislators to reveal their plans for the Fourth of July. Below are a few of their responses.
Speaker Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch)
This Highlands Ranch legislator tells us that he will be at – where else – the Highlands Ranch Independence Day Parade and Community Festival – keep an eye out for him!
Sen. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora)
Senator Morgan Carroll tells us that she will be walking in the Byers Fourth of July Parade and stopping by the Aurora Fourth of the July Celebration. No word on where the monkey might be.
Sen. Greg Brophy (R-Wray)
"My crazy 10 year-old decided he wanted to do a triathlon. Lo and behold, there is one in Wray tomorrow, so I'm watching him do his first ever Tri. And while I'm here, I will do the bike leg with some friends, Karla and Doreen. I wanted to name our team Two Hot Chicks and a Dork, but they wouldn't let me. I'm missing the 4th of July parade in Brush! for just the second time in 12 years." Following the triathlon, Brophy will be BBQing and reading the Declaration of Independence. Sounds like a very full – and exhausting – Fourth.
Rep. Claire Levy (D-Boulder)
Rep. Levy says, "I will be joining Democrats in Clear Creek Party for the 4th of July Parade in Georgetown. They have a fun parade and then a barbecue in city park with an old fashioned brass band. I'm going to try to make it to the Gold Hill pancake breakfast first to support the Gold Hill Fire Department. The early birds get homemade rhubarb sauce for their pancakes. After Georgetown, I will help a friend in the mountains clear pine needles away from his house to reduce the fire danger. Everyone who lives in the WUI (wildland urban interface) should take a fresh look at their home and property to check for fuel build up and other fire risks." Good idea.
Thanks ladies and gents for keeping us posted!
Of course, we didn't hear back from Rep. Sal Pace, Rep. Joe Miklosi, or Sen. Brandon Shaffer, so we've created imaginary itineraries for these very busy politicians for today.
Rep. Sal Pace (D-Urination)
Pace (D-Urination) is under close campaign supervision to keep his family jewels under lock and key. (wink) A suggestion to the poor staffer tasked with babysitting – waterproof shoes and a poncho?
Rep. Joe Miklosi (D-Hells Angels)
We imagine that Joe Miklosi is looking set for a rowdy weekend with the Hells Angels, who want to repay him for running their Hells Angels Protection Act of 2012, legislation that would offer them protection against discrimination for wearing black leather outside in 105 degree heat. It's unclear whether the legislation also protects against the body odor that's sure to ensue.
Sen. Brandon Shaffer (D-Screwed)
Oh, poor Sen. Shaffer. We imagine he's drowning his sorrows at the bottom of the bottle, looking back to the last July 4 when he announced — oh, to be young again and have CD4 be actually winnable (until Pat Stryker shivved him in the back during redistricting). Note: For all you sensitive types out there, we are not suggesting that Sen. Shaffer has a drinking problem, but we are admitting that's probably what we'd do.
All kidding aside, we send our thoughts and prayers to Sen. Steadman as he just found out that his partner has pancreatic cancer and to Rep. Casso as he comforts his children following the death of their mother, as reported by Lynn Bartels.
UPDATE: More legislators share plans
Rep. Amy Stephens (R-Castle Rock)
"My husband and I had a long-planned 4th of July vacation with his family in Alabama – so we have gone completely Southern testing BBQ while we are here. I feel like Paula Dean – we had Dreamland BBQ with fantastic sauce and a good banana pudding. We had amazing pimento cheese grits with shrimp and collard greens! We are testing a new BBQ today that includes cheese biscuts for the 4th and then going to the riverfront to see fireworks and perhaps a baseball game with the Montgomery 'Biscuts' baseball team. I hate to think about all the time on the treadmill I'll have to do to work off this vacation! Happy 4th and God Bless America."
Rep. Nancy Todd (D-Aurora)
"We are celebrating our black lab, KJ's, 13th b-day, from eggs for breakfast to ice cream and carrots in the afternoon. It's too hot to be outside long so air conditioning is preferred location. She is the best lab recycler in Colorado!"
Rep. Cindy Acree (R-Aurora)
"Our family spent the Fourth of July at community events in Mission Viejo, Shenandoah and Smoky Hill neighborhoods. We visited with friends and constituents and celebrated my granddaughter's first birthday. I visited with Aurora firefighters and thanked them for their service and participation in fighting the fires that have consumed our state. Please keep them in your prayers. They too are on the front lines."
Rep. Mark Waller (R-Colorado Springs)
"We had a nice day at home grilling with family and friends. Our day was capped off with a Sky Sox baseball game. The highlight of the day was getting to throw out the first pitch while having my son Truman on the field with me."
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!