Virginia Pizzella-Bierig | Tabernash, Colo.

We live about 8 miles from Winter Park Ski area in Colorado. Construction and tourism are the two biggest industries here. I think many locals got caught up in the growth – people were making good money started to extend themselves. Some have left, sold out or walked away. The rest of us have adapted and gone back to the old ways of holding several jobs. Having more time to enjoy why we came here in the first place. This is a view of our back yard from our deck. We own only an acre but it borders a hay meadow part of a large ranch. Hundreds of acres undeveloped. We new it was a risk – that it may not stay so pristine but the economy may have secured our view for a while longer. We see so much amazing wildlife including this young calf moose. It brings me so much peace… we love it here… feel blessed.

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