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Mindy Lee may have suffered from “meth intoxication”

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The Woodland Park Police are still investigating the case surrounding the death of Mindy Lee, who apparently froze to death after jumping out of a vehicle in late November near the Woodland Park High School.

Her body was discovered on Dec. 1 by a Woodland Park Police officer near the football field, following a several day search. Lee, 33, died of hypothermia, according to the Teller County Coroner’s office.

Her death has raised many questions, especially the circumstances regarding why Lee suddenly exited a vehicle in the presence of her 4-year-old daughter and two friends.

According to Woodland Park Police Chief Bob Larson, authorities still want to examine more information before finalizing the investigation. The missing pieces include more details of her cell phone records and other aspects of the case being handled by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

But officials have concluded that Lee suffered from “acute methamphetamine intoxication.” “That may have affected her thinking,” said Larson. But the police chief declined to speculate on how this could have impacted her decision to exit the SUV she was traveling in the night she disappeared.

Toxicology reports discovered the presence of methamphetamine, Oxycodone and Wellbutrin in her system around the time of her death. Out of these drugs, the only substance she digested of substantial quantities was the meth, according to Larson. Lee did have a prescription for the Wellbutrin, which is considered an anti-depressant. Oxycodone is a narcotic pain-killer and meth is a well-known psycho-stimulant substance.

The police still believe no foul play was involved.

According to Larson, interviews with her friends who accompanied her that day did coincide with initial reports.

“They did try to get her to the hospital,” said Larson, who noted that friends attempted to have her examined at the Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, just outside Woodland Park. But Lee, who was suffering from laryngitis, didn’t want to be treated.

“It is a real tragedy,” said Larson, in describing Lee’s death.

As for the length of time it took officials to find Lee, Larson attributes that to some faulty information regarding the exact spot where Lee may have exited the vehicle. Police initially received a report, via a phone call, regarding her reported disappearance. The friends who accompanied Lee tried to chase after her that evening when she jumped out of the vehicle, but couldn’t find her in the dark.

The case has continued to baffle authorities and friends and family members of Lee. “We still can’t understand why she didn’t notice anyone (during the search),” said Larson. The police chief said that particular area of town, around the Forest Edge subdivision, was flooded with police and emergency service officials during the time of her reported disappearance.

Mindy Lee was described by friends, family members and acquaintances as extremely friendly, personable, well-educated and quite devoted to her family. She had lived in Manitou Springs for the last five years.

Woodland Park Police Blotter

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November 24 A report of a theft was taken in the 300 block of S. Park Street. Case is open pending further investigation.

A report of criminal mischief was taken in the 300 block of W. Midland Avenue. Case is open pending further investigation.

November 26 A report of criminal mischief was taken in the 100 block of E. Midland Avenue. Case is open pending further investigation.

November 27 A report of damaging unlawful and fighting and brawling unlawful was taken in the 20000 block of E. Highway 24. Case is closed, the victim failed to prosecute.

November 28 A report of damaging unlawful was taken in the 700 block of Gold Hill Square. Case is open pending further investigation.

Michael Moore, 41, Woodland Park and Tabitha Dane, 19, Woodland Park were involved in a two vehicle traffic accident with no injuries. Mr. Moore was issued a citation for failure to yield right of way at an intersection.

November 29 Joseph Schmitz, 50, Divide and Linda Erwin, 66, Woodland Park were involved in a two vehicle traffic accident with no injuries.

Woodland Park police also responded to three private property traffic accidents and two outside agency assists.

December 1 Barry Reynolds, 30, Woodland Park was arrested for vehicular eluding, reckless driving, license revoked, driving under the influence of alcohol, drove vehicle with excessive alcohol content and failure to drive in a single lane. Mr. Reynolds was transported to the Teller County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

December 2 Kristen Payton, 24, Colorado Springs and Christopher Burkes Oldham, 42, Florissant were involved in a two vehicle traffic accident with no injuries.
December 3 A report of criminal mischief was taken in the area of 300 E. Highway 24. Case is open pending further investigation.

Craig Harms, 65, Woodland Park and Tyler Morland, 20, Woodland Park were involved in a two vehicle traffic accident with no injuries.

A report of damaging unlawful was taken in the 600 block of Pembrook Drive. Case is open pending further investigation.

December 4 Marsha Fewell, 47, Colorado Springs and Jeffrey Hinman, 26, Woodland Park were involved in a two vehicle traffic accident with minor injuries. Ms. Fewell was issued a citation for turning left in front of approaching traffic.

A report of theft was taken in the 200 block of E. Highway 24. Case is open pending further investigation.

December 5 Joseph Sandate, 25, Pueblo was arrested for driving under the influence, driving under restraint, violation of registration and failure to drive in a single lane. Mr. Sandate was transported to the Teller County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

A report of theft was taken in the 500 block of W. Highway 24. Case is open pending further investigation.

Woodland Park police also responded to two private property traffic accidents.

What’s News in Teller County

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County strikes gambling jackpot
Rick Langenberg

Teller County officials and nonprofit operators have hit the gambling jackpots, with the local area faring quite well in the competitive battle for impact dollars.

Last week, the county commissioners signed off on more than $1.2 million in state gaming grant contracts. And with another expected award for a transportation project next week, Teller is expected to receive more than $1.6 million in extra monies that go to local counties, towns and groups that bear most of the gaming impacts

“That is pretty good,” announced Teller County Commission Chairman Bob Campbell, when discussing the board’s approval of documents authorizing these monies. According to Campbell’s analysis, the Teller government itself and associated services will take in a little more than $1.4 million. This amount doesn’t include the county’s regular assortment of tax revenue, based on the winnings generated at Cripple Creek casinos.

And with the additional monies received by Victor and other nonprofits, Teller is receiving a hefty portion of the overall pot of impact dollars that hovered around the $5 million mark for the fiscal year. Campbell credited the involvement of Commissioner Jim Ignatius, who serves on the state gaming impact advisory board, as a big help.

Some of the major award winners, based on the final state contracts, are the Teller jail in Divide, which netted $451,335, and sheriff patrol operations, which will receive a check for $231,142. But as for the latter award, Campbell commented that this amount doesn’t nearly cover the expenses for grappling with the extra traffic and impacts generated from gambling. It mainly covers the bills for the hiring of four more patrol officers.

And on the upside, the recent spree of awards marked a big turnaround from last year at this time, when the Teller government was staring at the zero figure in gaming impact dollars. Governor Bill Ritter had proposed axing this program temporarily to help offset the costs of a growing state deficit. But his recommendations were overturned by state lawmakers, who opted for returning this fund at a slightly reduced level.

Besides the Teller government, other big winners are the Aspen Mine Center and Community of Caring, which received $190,250. Also, the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office got $165,290 for its operations in Teller. That award was significant because the Teller government was faced with the obligation of covering a good portion of these expenses if the gaming grant fell through.

Other beneficiaries of the impact funds included Prospect Home Care Hospice with a $50,400 check, the Peak Vista Community Health Clinics with $54,857, the Court Appointed Special Advocates with $36,455 and the Teller Victim Services Program with $21,921.

But with big state budget challenges looming, this impact program faces an uncertain future.

In addition, the Teller leaders are currently engaged in a big fight with Gilpin County over a new proposed tax re-allocation proposal that would siphon about $2.5 million from gaming monies annually distributed to the Teller and Cripple Creek governments and from the Creek’s assortment of historic preservation funds. This plan questions the distribution formula adopted by the state Division of Gaming for the last two decades that allocates these monies based on adjusted gross proceeds (monies that gamblers basically lose at local casinos).

A final decision will be made by the state gaming commissioners during their regular meeting in February.

Gold Camp Road Reopened
One of the most popular back road treks between the Cripple Creek/Victor district and Colorado Spring has received the green light.

The Gold Camp Road, which features a ride that former President Teddy Roosevelt once described as equivalent to bankrupting the English language, has been reopened, but much work still remains in protecting historic resources.

However, the main structural work in repairing a historic tunnel on the verge of collapse has been finished.

Last week, County Administrator Sheryl Decker told the commissioners that the work has involved the removal of 500 tons of rock. “Gold Camp Road is open to traffic. It was a huge grant,” said Decker, in describing the project that has involved a several hundred thousand dollar grant and much coordination between the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Historical Society and Teller County. For an extended period, a key county section of this historic roadway was shut down.

However, Decker conceded that work still remains along the historic front, which will be completed next spring.

Behave yourself at the courthouse
If you enter the county courthouse in Cripple Creek, be on your best behavior, or else you could find yourself thrown into a new holding cell, zapped by a taser gun or forced to undergo an alcohol-related breath test.

But fret not, it could be worse.

The county commissioners recently approved a $26,340 state grant for additional security equipment at the courthouse. With this award, the county courthouse in Cripple Creek has received more than $100,000 in equipment, such as state-of-the-art video cameras, weapons, temporary prison cells and ballistic panels, in the last year and a half.

The latest award actually was actually about $15,000 less than what the commissioners proposed, based on the recommendations of court officials. With the commissioners’ action, a new contract for the additional equipment has been okayed between the county and the Colorado Judicial Department. No county dollars are required.

The extra funding request calls for an additional holding cell at the courthouse, ballistic panels, additional cameras and more PC and DVR capabilities, another taser gun, portable breath test equipment, more radio ear pieces and training.

This award didn’t prompt much debate.

A previous request had the commissioners at odds, with Board Chairman Bob Campbell describing the proposed security items as overkill and rivaling equipment in major municipalities. The other two commissioners didn’t have any problems since the county didn’t have to allocate any funds.

But the latest request wasn’t quite as ambitious.

Teller Senior Coalition Receives Grant From Home Depot Foundation

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Through its Building Healthy Communities grant program, The Home Depot® Foundation has awarded $1,980 to Teller Senior Coalition. The donation will be used to build additional storage for the Teller Senior Coalition’s Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program.

Our Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program is one of our most popular. “We accept donations of wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and other items, and then loan them out to anyone who can use them for however long the item is needed. Currently our storage space is filled to the rafters and it is very difficult to get to items in the back corners,” said Pamela Argo, Executive Director of Teller Senior Coalition. “We are delighted to receive a $1,980.00 gift card from The Home Depot Foundation – our volunteers will be happy to get the supplies they need to build this added storage space!”

The Home Depot Foundation’s Building Healthy Communities grant program supports the work that local nonprofit organizations, public schools and other community organizations are doing to improve the physical health of their neighborhoods.
“We are delighted to support local volunteer projects aimed at creating healthier, more stable communities where families can thrive,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. “Teller Senior Coalition deserves enormous credit for the work it is doing, and we are glad to be part of their efforts.”

About Teller Senior Coalition
Founded in 1996, Teller Senior Coalition assists Teller County Seniors to live full and active lives with dignity and independence. We accomplish this by providing transportation for essential errands to doctors’ appointments, the Post Office, Bank and grocery store, and daily hot meals at the Woodland Park Senior Citizens’ Center. We also offer home delivery of frozen or shelf-stable meals, liquid nutritional supplements, handyman services for basic home safety repairs, AARP Mature Driving Classes, legal aid, support for caregivers, our Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program and many other services as needed.

About The Home Depot Foundation
Created in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating and preserving healthy, affordable homes as the cornerstone of sustainable communities. The Foundation’s goal is for all families to have the opportunity to live in healthy, efficient homes they can afford over the long-term; to have access to safe, vibrant parks and greenspaces; and to receive the economic, social and environmental benefits of living in a sustainable community. Since its formation, The Home Depot Foundation has granted $190 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 95,000 homes, planted more than 1.2 million trees, and built or refurbished more than 1875 playgrounds, parks and greenspaces. For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter homedepotfdn.

Commentary: Mike Parish

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Okay boys and girls, it’s mid-December, the area is dotted with Salvation Army bell ringers, the little fat man with the long white beard and jolly “HO! HO! HO!” is being sighted everywhere, there’s streusel and wassail, fresh evergreen trees with lights and ornaments as families gather round the hearth and all of this can mean ONLY ONE THING:

Yes! You’re right! It means I wanna tell you MY TRUE HALLOWEEN STORY ABOUT MY LUCKY LITTLE BLACK CAT…

I’ve been meaning to share this story with you for some time (AND MAYBE I DID – 50,000 WORDS HERE. 50,000 WORDS THERE. IT’S EASY TO FORGET…) unfortunately it kept getting held hostage to my health, but tonight I noticed a tee shirt in a catalog emblazoned with the slogan: “My Favorite Breed: RESCUED!” and so tonight we’ll remedy my oversight. (And rest assured this story IS 100 percent TRUE!)
It’s no secret that my wife and I are “Cat People.” We have FOUR.

“Snugs” is our spayed “catnapped” oldest. She belonged to some former neighbors who insisted on letting her run loose and become a target for an owl, Red Tail Hawk or many other predators around and looking for a fast meal.
FAR TOO MANY folks move to the area picturing old episodes of Lassie (“Run girl! Be FREE!!!) only to encounter the harsh realities of the disappearance of a beloved pet. Some people DO SHOOT “STRAYS”(Re: Run beloved house pet! Be free.) We talked with the neighbors. It did no good.

It was when she showed up at my door at 4 a.m., in a blinding rainstorm, half the hair on her tail missing from a close call, sick as the proverbial dog and begging to get inside that they forfeited ownership. She was deathly sick for nearly five days as she lay on our couch, bundled warmly and hand fed as I used all my old Screamin’ Eagle medic tricks to nurse her back to health. She’s fat and sassy and doing well today.

“Bogey” is our neutered year-old, 99 percent “Bombay” cat (Glass finished coat black as the Ace of Spades with smoky, beautiful, insightful hooded eyes) rescued from the Teller County Animal Shelter. “Bog” is just one, long legged, fine boned, piece of Daddy Long Legs/Fred Astair dancing kittyhood! Amazingly tactile, whenever Bog finds a new surface, he pads and dances on it to demonstrate to us his highly considered opinion as to it’s future viability around the Parish household! (Re: What’s in this for ME???).
Bogey was chosen for TWO reasons: 1. Nancy and I are well aware that, due to “STUPIDstition” – BLACK CATS ARE GENERALLY THE LAST TO BE ADOPTED – IF THEY’RE ADOPTED AT ALL… and 2. We just had to admit that we’d seldom seen a kitten in a top hat, tails, spats with a cane leading the rest of the cats in “MINNIE the MOOCHER!” THIS l’il boy DID wanna go home with us and become “Bogey PARISH!”
And he DID exactly THAT!

Normally, the folks at the shelter do an excellent job of NAMING the young strays and kittens. In fact, we kept the names “Bogart” and “Raven” (RAVEN being the name of my OTHER l’il LUCKY BLACK CAT if I ever get on with the damn Halloween story. Yeah. Yeah. I know. I know…) However it didn’t take us long to figure out that our forth and youngest child (Re: RING TAILED TERROR now just past a year old) was DEFINITELY *NOT* A “LENA”!

After demonstrating feats of gymnastics here before unseen in all my 50 plus year (Re: But Mike, you LOOK SO DAMN YOUNG…) this little EIGHT WEEK OLD SPITFIRE that LITERALLY SCREAMED FOR US TO ADOPT HER came home and was RECHRISTENED “FURBY” PARISH. (Some of you may recognize the name as in “DON’T FEED THE CUTE, CUDDLY LITTLE FURRY CRITTER AFTER MIDNIGHT OR SHE’LL BECOME A DEMON…)

And so it came to pass. ‘Nuff said.

This, of course, leaves RAVEN. Going on four now, I’ve written about her some time ago in a serious effort to get some of you to open your hearts and homes to a new furry child.

It wasn’t long ago I was lying in bed, sick and dog tired when I was awakened by my gorgeous spayed, black Bombay sweetheart pawing at me. Groggily, I declined Raven’s perceived invitation to play and rolled over. Still, she continued pawing at me and began chattering which is almost unheard of from “MY BABY.”
Attempting to clear my head and sort heads from tails, I rolled over on my back and, as I tried to clear the sleep from my eyes, sensed an unusual movement. SOMETHING was DESCENDING FROM MY CEILING AND, SNAPPING AWAKE, I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY IT’S CLASSIC SHAPE BY THE NIGHTLIGHT.

Can you say “BIG ASS BLACK WIDOW!” boys and girls???

I didn’t have time to. With a fast slap I knocked it off it’s web strain and to the floor where I proceeded to grab a shoe and do my best, heartfelt imitation BEST HEARTFELT IMITATION OF JAMES BOND CUTTING LOOSE ON THE TARANTULA IN DR. NO!

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!!!

Now, is this some epic tale like The Odyssey or The Iliad? Well, only insofar as I’m STILL BEATING STAIN OF THE CARCASS OF THE DEADLY LITTLE B’STARD… WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!!!

No, my friends, THIS is my Halloween tale to show you that “STUPIDstition” IS EXACTLY THAT: STUPID!!! My sweet, black “RESCUEE” MAY HAVE WELL SAVED MY LIFE! AND SHE CERTAINLY *KNEW* WHAT SHE WAS DOING AND REFUSING TO GIVE UP!

Sooooo… It’s CHRISTMAS folks. GOT ROOM FOR A NEW, FURRY CHILD??? PERHAPS A SPECIAL LITTLE *BLACK* ONE? THEY’LL REPAY YOUR LOVE AND KINDNESS EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Even if you can’t adopt, THE SHELTER WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATION! IT’S CHRISTMAS. SHARE PLEASE.
Altogether now: PARISH SAID IT. CHISEL IT IN STONE!

* * *
Before I go, I need to make a SPECIAL APOLOGY to two of MY ***FRIENDS*** AT WALGREENS. We were talking about my latest bout with P-NEW-MONIA and I stupidly tried to make a comparison (“Good people. Good jobs… … for meeting OTHER GOOD PEOPLE.) BUT STOPPED SHORT WHEN I REALIZED HOW BAD THE FIRST FOUR WORDS SOUNDED OUT OF CONTEXT. THERE’S NOTHING WORSE THAN A COMEDIAN THAT HAS TO EXPLAIN HIS JOKE AND I PLEAD “GUILTY” HERE AS THESE FOLKS ARE *DEFINITELY* MY FRIENDS AND NOT SIMPLY WORK RELATED! MEA CULPA!

IN CASE KENDRICK THE THUNDER STEALER STEALS MY THUNDER NEXT WEEK AND WRITES HIS COLUMN, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL (!!!) AND I’D ESPECIALLY LIKE TO THANK ALL MY WELL WISHERS DURING MY RECENT ILLNESS AND ABSENCE! IT ALL MEANS A LOT TO ME! THANK YOU.

Mindy Lee Case Still Under Investigation

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 The Woodland Park Police are still investigating the case surrounding the fatal discovery of a 33-year-old Manitou Springs woman, and mother of two.

However, authorities won’t know for sure until mid-to-late January the final details pertaining to the circumstances regarding the death of
Mindy Lee, who apparently froze to death after being reported missing for several days. Her body was found about two weeks ago behind the Woodland Park High School

“We won’t receive toxicology reports for at least six weeks,” said Woodland Park Deputy Police Chief John Gomes. The deputy police chief, though, said the agency is still conducting interviews and reviewing information pertaining to the case.

But based on their preliminary investigation, authorities have again concluded that no foul play occurred. Lee was reported missing the night of Nov. 26, when she jumped out of a car she was traveling in without wearing any shoes or a coat. She was traveling with two friends and her 4-year-old daughter.

The circumstances surrounding her prompt exit from the vehicle are still unclear, with some family members remaining suspicious about the recent turn of events. Lee and her friends reportedly stopped at the Pikes Peak Regional Hospital earlier that evening. But Lee, who reportedly suffered from laryngitis, was not treated by any physician at the hospital. Her friends stated that she wasn’t acting like herself and ended up jumping out of the car in the Forest Edge subdivision near the high school area.

Her friends tried to chase after her, but couldn’t find her in the dark.

Lee’s body was found by a Woodland Park Police officer about a half-mile from where she exited the vehicle. A preliminary autopsy indicated that she died from hypothermia and experienced minor scratches and cuts in her hands

A memorial service was held for Mindy Lee last week in Manitou Springs. A memorial fund, to help out her two children, has been set up at all Academy Bank locations in Colorado Springs.

Manitou Showcasing a Feast of Events Next Year

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By Steve Kipp

Manitou Springs will feature a feast of special events next year, covering the gamut from fruitcake tosses, wine festivals and mumbo jumbo cooking contests, to coffin races, Luaus and holiday celebrations.

The lineup hasn’t been completely finalized, but here are some of the highlights.

Manitou will kick off the 2011 New Year with its Great Fruitcake Toss on Jan. 8. The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce concedes it’s not a “huge” money-maker; but Executive Director Leslie Lewis says it’s “great exposure not only locally but nationally.”

The event will be held at Manitou Springs High School at 9 a.m.

One Manitou Springs event that is definitely a money-maker is the Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival, which draws such an abundance of wine sales that it helps fund other Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce events throughout the calendar year.

The 2011 Colorado Wine Festival in Manitou Springs is scheduled for June 4, which Lewis says will be limited to 25 wine vendors–all from Colorado (its 2010 event drew 29 vendors). Other arts and fine arts, crafts and food vendors will be featured. As for other similar festivals in the region, The Woodland Park Jazz, Food and Wine Festival is set for Aug. 13, 2011.

Lewis says the special events budget for the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce is about $30,000 per year — although this includes some sponsor contributions in addition to proceeds from wine sales from its annual Wine Festival.

“Our attendance in 2009 was larger than 2010, but our wine sales were the same level,” Lewis said of the Manitou Springs wine festival, adding attendance was a few hundred fewer less in 2010. “But they all had fun.”

A new consolidation move with the chamber (see related story) could create more events in 2011 and in future years.
The Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has officially added the “Office of Economic Development” to its title. The town’s economic development office had previously promoted events like the High Altitude Happy Hour.

Lewis expects the town will have additional events once a new marketing operations person is hired in 2011, in conjunction with the chamber’s merger with the office of economic development.

Other select events on the 2011 Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce calendar include:
Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-off (March 5 in conjunction with Mardi Gras
High Altitude Happy Hour (September)
September Luau (moved from a spring event for better weather accommodation)
Emma Crawford Festival – 17th annual Coffin Race & Parade (Oct. 29)
Official entries for the Gumbo Cook-off can be found at <a href=”http://www.manitousprings.org/pdf_events/Gumbo%20Apps.pdf”>Gumbo Cook-Off</a>

By comparison, The Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce calendar events for 2011 thus far include:
4th annual Lost Dutchman Music Festival in Divide (live bands) (July 23) …reserved camping available
26th annual Mountain Arts Festival in Woodland Park Aug. 6-7

Manitou Springs Consolidates Economic and Marketing Forces EDC Office Dissolved

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By Steve Kipp

A private-public sector economic merger trend making its way around the country has spread to the lower Ute Pass with Manitou Springs implementing such a move.

The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau voted last month to merge with the eight-year-old Manitou Springs Economic Development Council (EDC). The Manitou Springs City Council followed with a unanimous resolution that dissolved the city’s EDC, in favor of a new entity that will be labeled the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and Office of Economic Development. A new person will then be hired to head the office’s operations next year.

The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce had originally decided to dissolve in August as a recommendation of a nine-person Consolidation Working Group. A new entity was then to have re-emerged. However, local Chamber members circulated a petition, causing the group to rescind its August decision.

As a result, the new change will do away with the idea of having a separate, local EDC entity. The EDC has indicated a merger was preferable to its members. The merger was also agreed upon by the Manitou Springs Metropolitan District, which is a quasi-municipal entity, during its November meeting.

Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leslie Lewis said it would be “easier and quicker to merge” as one instead of “dissolving our organization and immediately re-emerging as another.” It allows the chamber to retain its continuity of history. It will remain a member of the National Chamber of Commerce.

Manitou Springs’ merger is part of a growing economic trend in other parts of the country. For example, two recent similar mergers occurred — or are in the official process of happening — in Washington state. The Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce merged with its local EDC followed by similar details being worked out between the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and its EDC.

And key decision-makers in those mergers indicated previous success of such mergers in other parts of the country. Reasons cited for the recent trend include:
Integrated vision
Enhanced economic collaboration
More direct impact by chamber business members upon potential economic development
Cost savings
Larger organizational punch by way of offering expanded services
Lewis indicated similar reasons behind Manitou Springs’ actions.

“Both the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council have been receiving funding from the city,” Lewis said, citing how the city reviewed how it could reduce expenses. “It offered greater efficiencies to look at a merger. The Business Improvement District was not involved in the merger per se, but we may do contracting and marketing for them.”

The share of this collective marketing function will fall to a new chief operating officer (COO) of the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and Economic Development Council. The COO will be brought in sometime in 2011. Previously, Kitty Clemens headed the EDC operations until last year.

Lewis said all three organizations strive to link and enhance their messages, but that coordination involving personnel under three roofs involved previous challenges. She believes “coordination of better efforts can be achieved by one organization.”

Manitou Springs President of the Chamber’s Board of Directors Executive Committee, Bianca Codiga, who was also part of the Consolidation Working Group, already indicated such enhancement.

“Necessity caused all of the city’s entities to work together and become efficient and we found out that not only can we work together but we actually are stronger and more efficient when we do,” Codiga cited in the Chamber of Commerce November newsletter. “Our city sales tax, Chamber Web site statistics, and tourist visitation numbers are all very impressive.”

A model community for events
And no one can dispute the success of many special events held in Manitou Springs, making the town a model for doing unique and unusual festivals that have strong local roots.

Floyd O’Neil, a spokesman for the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, cited one example with the October Coffin races in Manitou Springs, which he said “drew the largest turnout ever and had the biggest number of participants ever.”

“Budget Travel Magazine noted that Manitou Springs is one of the coolest small towns in America,” O’Neil added, citing its September, 2008 “10 Coolest Small Towns” article:
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2008/08/02/AR2008080201205.html

Manitou Springs’ mostly small independent businesses benefit from such events and the associated publicity. Another relatively new national movement, aimed at helping independent businesses both in Manitou Springs and the Ute Pass region, was the “Small Business Saturday,” held two days after Thanksgiving. Promoters of “Small Business Saturday” have mentioned how large retailers monopolize “Black Friday” and online retailers lock up “Cyber Monday,” which officially kicked off on Nov. 29 Thus, the Small Business Saturday occurred on Nov. 27 “as a way to embrace the business sector many shoppers recognize as the economic backbone of our country. Small Business Saturday came with its own set of special deals and incentives for holiday shoppers.

Small Business Saturday has been going on for four years, but this is the first year it received significant media attention.
O’Neil isn’t sure if Small Business Saturday, which some regard as the kick-off of the Yuletide season for more independent businesses, has trickled down to reach the average shopper. “From a promotional standpoint, we’re doing a Monarch two for one ski promotional and we saw an increase with a lot of redemptions over the (Thanksgiving) weekend,” said O’Neil. The chamber spokesman noted big crowds in Manitou Springs following the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Yuletide holiday season in Manitou hit another high note with last Saturday’s “Snowflakes and Smiles” parade, which families lining Manitou Avenue for four blocks. It’s still too early to tell how these events will impact Manitou’s holiday-related retail sales, but preliminary reports indicate that the event generated impressive crowds. The town will conclude its 2010 special event boon with a “Santa Claus on Christmas Eve” arrival and a “Feast of Friendship Community Christmas Dinner” (see Mountain Almanac for details).

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