Manitou Springs CO.

[Jeff K]

What a dump. I figured we were far enough out of "little California" when we made the reservations, but that is not the case. Too much "pot tourism" here for me. Stoners everywhere you go. Reminds me of Venice Beach, Ca. Had a nice day out in the gold mine, and Cripple creek, came back to Manitou Springs and stopped for a beer in town. The bartender was so toasted she was holding on to the bar to keep her balance. Don't like this place. Colorado was on my crap list anyway, this just piles on. Heading out to the country soon so it should improve.

[Bighead]

 
Yeah I was just in Durango and picked up a book in the lobby of my hotel on local stuff and the second page was for a Pot store the big headline on that page was "Don't be shy come get High"

[Jeff K]

I just never thought it would be so noticeable. The number of fried people is quite evident. At dinner last night the group behind us kept referring to how much they were "freaking out" and the mother with 2 young girls across from us was so toasted she was having a hard time holding her eyes open.

Just not my cup of tea. We had a better time in the mining towns.

[J.Mencalice]

Get thee to the Western Slope, pronto.

[Jeff K]

Heading that way!!

[Valkjerk]

Far out!!!!

[Rams]

What a dump. I figured we were far enough out of "little California" when we made the reservations, but that is not the case. Too much "pot tourism" here for me. Stoners everywhere you go. Reminds me of Venice Beach, Ca. Had a nice day out in the gold mine, and Cripple creek, came back to Manitou Springs and stopped for a beer in town. The bartender was so toasted she was holding on to the bar to keep her balance. Don't like this place. Colorado was on my crap list anyway, this just piles on. Heading out to the country soon so it should improve.

Your observations of Manitou Springs re-enforces my memory of that area from back when I lived in Colorado Springs in the late eighties.    Always has been a "free spirited" burg.   I have relatives who live in that area, I don't visit them.   Their life style is not one I wish to entertain.    Colorado though is a beautiful state to ride in.   

[MarkT]

The worst part is, the Californicators who moved here, brought their politics, changed the demographic blue and voted in their disgusting liberal politicos who are shitting on all our rights especially guns, got weed legalized and that attracts even more worthless lazy low info deadbeats who will vote for more entitlements so they can sponge off the rest of us who actually work for a living.  A POX ON THEM ALL.  I say, time for open season, hunting licenses to SHOOT LIBERALS.

[Valkjerk]

Now calm down Mark. You know libs aren't worth the price of a bullet.

[Jeff K]

Well, they can have it. It's a sea of Subarus and dopers here. I would never come back. We were concerned about it before we came. It's not a comfortable place for me to bring my grandchildren. It has gotten better since the weekend, but I'd never bring my money back here again.

[MarkT]

Maybe not go to wellsprings of the liberal dopeheads instead of painting all of the state with the same brush.  That includes Boulder too.  And some neighborhoods like "the green mile" on S Broadway in Denver.  We - the old timers of Colorado (OK I'm only 28 years here) are trying to get ride of the lazy lefities at least out of govt but it's a tough row to hoe and we could use some good reliable voters to help instead of attracting the deadbeat voters with enticements like pot.  BTW - that movement is spreading - better hope it doesn't happen in YOUR state or you can forget about your rights as they will be taken, and your money too when they vote themselves more of your paycheck, and turn your state blue.

[Jeff K]

Mark, I realize that the infestation is somewhat confined to certain areas. We still needed a base camp to operate from to hit the usual tourist traps for my Granddaughter. We are heading west today and expect the environment to improve. If I was painting Colorado with a broad brush we never would have come at all. I just didn't think the infestation was as bad as it has gotten. Joann likes to visit old towns, mining towns , ghost towns, now most of them have found their income source to be casinos. I drive right through. We are having a good time, but packing a lunch is working better than going out to eat and getting crappy service from a stoned waitress, and paying outrageous prices for crappy food. I saw a bunch of mining trucks at a hole in the wall bar/grill, I told Joanne that must be the place to go, skipped the casinos and went there for COLD beer and the best meal we have had since we got here!
I prefer patronizing locals..
All of our hotels are booked so changing plans isn't going to happen, but what I should have done was booked them based on the number of "dispensaries" in the town. That would have been a good test.

[Jeff K]

We are in Ouray, Co for the next few days. The guy at the desk in tiny Ouray Co said the questions he used to get were "where are the best bike trails? Where are the best Jeep trails? Who has the best food?" but now it's "where is the nearest Cannabis dispensary?"
I hope California never comes to Florida.

[F6Dave]

We are in Ouray, Co for the next few days. The guy at the desk in tiny Ouray Co said the questions he used to get were "where are the best bike trails? Where are the best Jeep trails? Who has the best food?" but now it's "where is the nearest Cannabis dispensary?"
I hope California never comes to Florida.

I'm not surprised that you'd find a few potheads in Ouray.  I've been there many times and have noticed a lot of people who never seemed to leave the 70s.

But the scenery in that town is spectacular.  It's as pretty as any place in Colorado.  And there's so much to see nearby.  The 'million dollar highway' to Silverton (picture below) is awesome.  So is the Black Canyon near Montrose.  And a secret few know about is the little town of Gateway near the Utah border.  There's a resort and car museum there that you wouldn't believe.

[baird4444]

We are in Ouray, Co for the next few days. The guy at the desk in tiny Ouray Co said the questions he used to get were "where are the best bike trails? Where are the best Jeep trails? Who has the best food?" but now it's "where is the nearest Cannabis dispensary?"
I hope California never comes to Florida.

Jeff, stop in at Maggie's Kitchen for the best burger around. I'm in Montrose if you need anything. If you're still going to be around Sunday; I'm off work, give me a shout...
         - Mike

[DarkSideR]

I am a Colorado native and currently reside in Southern Colorado. The legalization of marijuana was the worst thing that could happen to this state. Our Governor even admitted it was a mistake.

I could spend all day telling you how it has negatively affected me and my family who want no part in any of it.  From crime, high usage amongst teens, to horrible experiences with tenants (I have rental properties). The negatives far out weigh any (if any) positives.

The promise of that tax revenue helping schools was a lie.  My son's K-6, and my daughters high school haven't seen one red cent.I have always said,  "the more money you give a government the more corrupt it becomes".

I'm sorry you had this experience here in Colorado, but sadly most are having the same experience as you.

[Bighead]

Josh even though it is legal by state law it is still a federal crime. Start a movement by people such as yourself and try to get the Feds in to start charging people.

[Jeff K]

Our last night in Ouray. I saw the Maggie's suggestion too late. We stopped at Ouray brewery for dinner. It was crap.

Spent a second day jeeping in the mountains. We had a great time. The pot culture here is barley noticeable, but hotel guests are another story. Maybe because it is still a relatively new thing, or because the pot tourists are so thrilled with being out of the closet, it's just a bit "in your face".

The picture is either blurry because of the rain or because my co-pilot was scared.