Tag Archives: Colorado

Transgender Girl Denied Access to Female Bathroom

If you opened up CNN today like I always do, you probably saw a beautiful, smiling little girl with purple hair wearing a pink dress as one of the main headlines. The only problem is this isn’t a sunny story about Barbies and butterflies.  The story was about how the transgendered little first grader living in Colorado was told by the school system that she could no longer use the girl’s bathroom at school. Coy Mathis, according to her mother, was born with male genitalia, but has always identified with being a girl.  She dresses as a girl and her … Continue reading →

Call for Improved Access to Mental Health Care in Colorado

There seems to be a growing call for improved access to mental health care. The current attention likely has something to do with the recent school shootings. Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy is calling for parity in health plans in Colorado. Governor Hickenlooper wants funding to improve access to mental health care. Yesterday, I wrote a blog about Senator Al Franken who wants to see an increase in the number of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists. He is on the education committee in the United States Senate, and said he will push for federal funding to make that happen. He … Continue reading →

Six States have Insurance Exchanges Approved

A total of thirteen states (and the District of Columbia), have been working on creating a state-based health insurance exchange. This week, the Obama Administration gave conditional approval to the exchanges of six states. This is excellent news for the uninsured people living in those states. Part of the Affordable Care Act requires each and every state (and the District of Columbia) to have a health insurance exchange. The exchanges will be used by individuals and small businesses who are uninsured or who are seeking a more affordable health insurance plan. The exchanges will make it clear if a person … Continue reading →

Great Deals on Fun Family Spring Break Activities

If you have a little slugger in your family he (or she) is guaranteed to go batty for the incredible spring training deals being offered by Florida’s Grapefruit League and Arizona’s Cactus League. Both baseball organizations are offering outstanding opportunities for your little ones to catch big-league action at a relatively small price. What’s more, if you are traveling from out-of-town to see these athletes in action, you can save on hotel accommodations too. For example, Seralago Hotel & Suites (considered one of central Florida’s most affordable and family-friendly properties), is offering a spring training special to families who stay … Continue reading →

Colorado Making it Easier to Support Kids in School

Have you ever requested time off from work to address your child’s educational needs only to be denied? Apparently it happened one too many times to parents in Colorado, and now state lawmakers have designed a bill to help moms and dads take time off from work to deal with school-related events. The bill recently won preliminary approval in the Colorado House, but it still requires a final House vote before heading to the Senate. Unfortunately, for the bill’s authors it was watered down to apply only to companies with 50 or more workers and restricts what school-related events parents … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Family Fun Indoors and Out

For some people Thanksgiving is one of the few chances they get to visit with out-of-town relatives. If you are reuniting with your favorite cousin, a nomadic uncle or just welcoming home your college-coed son this Thanksgiving, consider doing more than just sitting around the house gorging on goodies. The long holiday weekend is the official kick-off to a number of seasonal activities, including ice-skating. Several outdoor rinks open to the public on Thanksgiving. In San Diego, where November temperatures often top 60 degrees, the outdoor Ice Arena is already open for business. If you prefer snow to ice, then … Continue reading →

Scary Places: The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

When I mention the name “The Stanley Hotel,” you may think “But Libby, I’ve never heard of this place.” Perhaps not, but if you have ever seen the classic Kubrick/King horror The Shining, you have gotten a sense of The Stanley. (This file is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License) This hotel is a 138 room Georgian hotel located in Estes Park, Colorado. It was built in 1909 by Freelan O. Stanley (co-founder of Stanley Steamer), hence the name. Many famous people have stayed there – Theodore Roosevelt and John Philip Sousa just to name a few. But, perhaps … Continue reading →

Saving Money on Luxury Summer Vacations

It seems unusual that luxury hotels would be offering bargains this time of year (or at all) given that the folks who frequent ultra-luxe properties probably aren’t pinching pennies the same way most families are. Still, owners of swanky lodgings say to retain business during tough economic times they are not above lowering prices and adding incentives to attract more customers. That’s good news to any traveler looking to score a bargain at a luxurious hotel. If you have always wanted to live like the rich and famous, but couldn’t afford to do so, now’s your chance to go big. … Continue reading →

Travelers Score in Denver

And you thought China was the only place you could find a polite cab driver these days. Etiquette 101 has moved to Denver, Colorado… just in time for the Democratic National Convention. The political extravaganza kicks off in the Mile-High City on August 25th and the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau is doing everything it can to spruce up the place before millions of visitors converge on the area. As the clock ticks down to the start of the convention the tourism group is madly trying to complete training of more than 2,500 taxi drivers, front-desk hotel employees, restaurant … Continue reading →

More End of the Summer Travel Destinations

Where have you gone this summer? Did you finally take that family trip to Hawaii or were you able to scrape up enough cash to jet off to Europe? With the economy in a slump many families have opted to stay closer to home this summer and it has paid off. You needn’t take a long flight or drive 300 miles to have the vacation of a lifetime; rather if you live near popular tourist attractions you can simply make the most of what’s in your own backyard. Miami, Florida The ritzy neighborhoods on the north end of Miami Beach … Continue reading →