Worse yet, those same out-of-staters come into town and take the same jobs that some of us Colorado boys spent our whole lives dreaming about. Like ski patrol director, for instance. Or Broncos quarterback. Or being one of the greatest ski writers in existence. Take my friend Rob Story, for instance. Not only does the guy roll in from Kansas City—and please write in if you really know where Kansas City is, like in Missouri or actually in Kansas for instance—and consistently earn his stripes as one of the three top living legends in the ski writing triumvirate (along with Steve Casimiro and Leslie Anthony), but he still has to keep rubbing it in everyone’s less frequently face-shotted faces by wearing that same Chiefs jersey every Sunday during the NFL season like it’s some sort of penance for really not being here since the start of his turn-loving life.
Which is too bad. Because as Story said, Colorado really is a state that continues to be built and enriched by the people that move here. But only after they really embrace the place. I mean, as Elway and Denver have proved, there’s more than enough room for new legends here. But only after you stop reminding everyone that your heart still belongs to some other state.
Peter Kray is an East High School graduate who married a Cherry Creek girl. He keeps a framed copy of John Elway’s Broncos rookie card next to his wedding photo. You can read more of his writing, including excerpts of his upcoming novel, The God of Skiing at shredwhiteandblue.com.
Readers Response from the Web
Seriously? I mean can’t we all just get along. I moved here from Ohio but I consider Colorado Springs home after 18 years living here. But it’s all the United States and none of us without Arapahoe blood in our veins are natives anyway. Though I still will never forgive John Elway for what he did to the city of Cleveland. Never.
—Jack
