VanMeveren's online newsletter for August 2018
Foundations 9 7 0 The Most Dangerous Road in Colorado
State Highway 13 is a north-south mountain route that runs from Rifle, Colorado, to the Wyoming border, terminating near Baggs, Wyoming. The highway travels through the Rocky Mountains in Garfield County. Colorado State Patrol data shows that between 2011 and 2016 there were 160 crashes in that area. Several factors contribute to this being one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Colorado. Head- on collisions involving passing attempts around mile marker 15, where the narrow road climbs toward the Garfield/Rio Blanco county line, have resulted in numerous fatalities. Wildlife on the highway is another factor. To address the issue, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) hoped to add passing lanes, shoulders, wildlife fencing, truck chain-up areas, and an underpass. To make that happen, CDOT sought a $21 million grant from the federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program for those upgrades. In May, CDOT’s grant request was turned down. The denial came as a shock to many area residents. Last year alone, six people died in five fatal accidents. One was a 79-year-old man from Craig; another, a 37-year-old mother from Utah. Among the victims was also a 19-year-old man who had just graduated from high school. Another tragic crash, just a few months ago, occurred on an icy curve near Meeker. The multi- vehicle collision resulted in the death of a 28-year- old woman and the ejection of her passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt. Overall in Colorado, traffic fatalities are up 24 percent since 2016.
The TIGER grant denial follows closely on the heels of a $90 million federal grant given to Colorado in June. This grant aims to help ease congestion on the I-25 north of Colorado Springs and fund improvements on I-70 in Clear Creek County for mountain-bound travelers.
U.S. Senator Cory Gardner points out that Coloradans
commute to work on South I-25 every day or utilize I-70 to travel to the Western Slope to experience the beautiful public lands Colorado has to offer.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Gardner believes these projects will help alleviate congestion on South I-25 and I-70, improving the lives of everyone who travels our roads. While alleviating congestion along the I-25 is a relief for many Coloradans, some question whether grant priority should instead be placed on areas like Highway 13, where traffic conditions are causing record fatalities. While road conditions and federal funding requests may be beyond the average taxpayer’s control, there are ways to increase your safety. Following these tips can substantially lower your risk of being in a severe accident:
• Always wear seatbelts.
• When stopping at a stop sign, come to a complete stop. Always turn your head to look left, then right, straight ahead, and then left again before proceeding. • When a light turns green, look left, then right, straight ahead, and then left again before proceeding through the light. Notice all vehicles and ensure that someone else is not going to run the light. • Keep your eyes moving. Notice what is happening on the sides of the road and check behind you in your mirrors every 6–8 seconds.
• Obey all posted speed limits and signs.
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• Be alert, attentive, and drive defensively.
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Journey to the Great Backyard
Figure out the campfire. Don’t have an in-ground fire pit? No worries! You can still enjoy hot dogs and s’mores with a charcoal grill or a store-bought fire pit. If you have enough room in your backyard, you could even try building a bonfire. Just make sure to check your city ordinances and get any necessary permits first. You can find advice for building the perfect campfire at REI.com/learn/expert-advice/campfire-basics.html. Remember: It’s okay to call it a night. For kids, the most exciting part of camping in the backyard is getting to sleep in a tent — that is, until they actually have to sleep. After stargazing, some kids will want to stay up all night whispering and giggling in the tent, and that’s great! But other kids might decide they’d rather sleep inside, and that’s okay too. Your camping trip isn’t a failure because everyone spent the night in their own beds. It’s not about where everyone sleeps; it’s about how much fun your family had together before bedtime. The best part of backyard camping? It doesn’t take a lot of planning. Just grab your gear and your family and hike out into the great backyard. • Avoid the “No-Zone” with trucks or buses — they cannot see you frommany areas. If you cannot see the driver in the truck’s rearview mirrors, they cannot see you. Also, remember trucks make wide right turns. • Follow this old saying: “If the roads are wet, then drive like it’s snowing. If the roads are snow-covered, then drive like they’re icy. If the roads are icy, then don’t drive.” • During inclement weather, if it is necessary to reduce one’s speed, the brake should be applied slowly without making sudden moves. When making sudden moves, it’s much easier to lose control of your vehicle. If you are the unfortunate victim of a crash, give us a call or go to our website at VanMeverenLaw.com for critical first steps to take and answers to important questions that arise following a crash. only. If not actively passing a vehicle, stay in the right lanes, allowing others to pass.
Summer is drawing to a close, but there’s still time to make some great memories. Camping trips are a summer staple. Fortunately, you don’t have to drive hours into the mountains to find the perfect campsite. Your backyard is right there waiting for you! Here are a few tips to help your family say farewell to summer with a perfect backyard camping trip. Pack for an authentic experience. Your back door is literally a few yards away, which can be great in the event of an emergency. But if the kids are running in and out of the house all night long, they might end up deciding they’d rather be inside playing video games after only an hour. Be sure to pack everything you would need if you were really going into the woods for the night so no one is tempted to go back inside. This means tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, pajamas, books, binoculars, a compass, water bottles, and a cooler of food with snacks
and dinner. Treat this like a “real” camping experience right from the beginning!
... Cover article continued • When driving on a two-lane road that allows parking on the right, stay toward the center line to allow for extra room in case someone opens their door and exits their vehicle in front of your car. This forethought will help prevent having to swerve to miss an opening door. If there is no parking allowed on the road, position your car toward the right to allow for more room between you and oncoming traffic. • Expect other drivers to make mistakes and think about what you would do if a mistake does happen. Be ready to react if another driver does not stop. • When traveling behind other vehicles, there should be at least a 4-second space between your vehicles. When the car in front of you passes a stationary object, slowly count to yourself. If you pass the object before the allotted time, you should back off. When traveling at night or in inclement weather, these times should be doubled. • Don’t talk on a cellphone while driving. Phones detract from your ability to concentrate on the road and increase your chances of a collision by nearly 400 • Be extremely patient and cautious around cyclists and give them at least 3 feet when passing.
percent. If you must use the phone, pull over to a safe, well-lit parking lot, and place your call there.
• When leaving for an out-of-town trip, be sure to give an itinerary to someone at home with the planned route, approximate time of arrival, and a contact number at your destination. Do not deviate from this plan without informing your at-home contact. If traveling a long distance, check in throughout the trip with a current location and any changes in your route or times.
• When being approached by an emergency vehicle, pull to the right shoulder of the road and stop.
• Carry all contact numbers that you may need, as well as emergency contact information, personal information, and any outstanding medical needs you may have, in an easy-to-find place in your vehicle. • Leave early and plan to arrive before the appointed time. Speeding does not increase your ability to arrive on time; it only increases your chances of getting in an accident.
• When traveling on a multiple-lane road or highway, keep in mind that the left-most lanes are for passing
–Bryan VanMeveren
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A Helping Hand
Attorney Leah Hopkins has been with the VanMeveren Law Group for about a year now and has successfully litigated for many of our clients. She loves helping people, which is one of the many reasons she pursued a career in law — and specifically, personal injury law. “Insurance companies tend take advantage of people without attorneys. I’m there to intervene,” she says. After an accident, it can be tough to navigate those next steps, and having an experienced attorney can make a difference — a difference Leah loves to make. “I believe in fighting hard for clients and that’s easier when you work with a firm with a lot of integrity. That’s VanMeveren Law Group. It’s a great group, with great people, and a great boss.”
Originally from California, Leah moved to the Fort Collins area to take advantage of the region’s many amazing amenities. She loves to hike and camp, and she tries to get up to Horsetooth Reservoir for some boating when she can. But more than that, Leah loves the community, which was perfect for her daughter. “We live in a safe community. The schools are wonderful, which is really awesome.” You won’t necessarily find Leah hiking or boating every weekend. She spends a lot of her time outside of the office mentoring at-risk girls and young women. She helps them get back on their feet and offers a little stability where there might not otherwise be any.
Sesame Salad &
Ingredients
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3 cups green beans, ends trimmed
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2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted 1 small red onion, finely chopped Small bunch of fresh mint Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley
• •
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• • • •
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined.
3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Inspired by Delicious magazine
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Inside
Grab a Bite to Eat in August
Fort Collins FoodieWalk Friday, Aug. 17
Flatbread Sandwiches, Colorocko Taco, Dank Dogs, Roses Rub Shack, and The Drake Parlor Entertainment and Ice Cream. Peach Festival & 5K Saturday, Aug. 18, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Washington Park The Peach Festival and 5K returns! Celebrate the fruit with food, drink, and a run. The race is open to everyone, from solo runners to families. The race starts at 8 a.m., while the rest of the festivities begin at 9 a.m. For more information on the Peach Festival, visit FortCollinsPeachFestival.com, and for more information on the 5K, click the “5K Race” link in the upper right corner of the Peach Festival website.
Downtown Fort Collins is the place to be when you want to grab a bite to eat. With so many options, it can be hard to choose. But every third Friday, Foodie Walk makes it easy to get the most out of what downtown has to offer. Find deals, samples, and other events at shops and restaurants such as The Cupboard, Happy Lucky’s Teahouse, The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop, and the Food Co-op. Food Truck Rally Saturday, Aug. 18 Bath Garden Center and Nursery Every third Saturday through October, food trucks gather at Bath Garden Center. It’s a great way to sample the local food truck scene. This month, the following trucks will be at the garden center: Blazin’ Wood Fired Pizza, La Piadina Italian
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