Cope: No place like home
Courtesy photo
As another graduation season passes in Eagle County, it’s worth examining what we are doing to give graduates a chance to stay in our community and earn a living. Our schools produce some outstanding graduates, who go on to great things, often somewhere else. Somebody once remarked that in Eagle County, “our greatest export is … our kids.”
I hope that we can work to reverse that trend and help more of our kids stay home and build a life here. Of course, it’s a natural tendency for young people to want to get away and see the world. As the great singer from New Jersey once said, “It’s a town full of losers, I’m pulling out of here to win!” Generations of teenagers throughout the world have felt that way about their hometowns, left for greener pastures, and then returned home like salmon swimming back to their birthplace.
The allure and beauty of this place penetrate the psyche and many of our kids return home. The college counselor might have suggested that school in the Confederacy somewhere, or watching that big team play on a Saturday sounded fun, but you missed the skiing, the sun or those hikes you used to hate in middle school. Your people, you come to realize, are here in the mountains of Colorado.
Some return to live with their parents due to a lack of housing opportunities. As a country and as a community, we need to do more to make housing accessible for young people. Too many of our tax and housing policies are structured to benefit older people. Sure, deducting the interest on your mortgage is a great benefit, unless you rent. That house down the street from you may be a great investment for a venture capital firm to add to their portfolio; however, the short-term rentals do little to supply housing to the workers propping up small businesses across our valley.
But don’t despair, graduates, projects are sprouting up all over the valley, overcoming the NIMBY (not in my back yard) headwinds, to provide places to live for our workforce and young families. Persistence and grit will be rewarded if you don’t give up.
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When the kids do come home, it’s important to support their businesses and endeavors. My dentist is a Battle Mountain graduate, as was the guy who built my house, my barber, the kid at the grocery store, the boys checking me in for a round of golf, the MC of the raft races, the coaches at Copa soccer and YouthPower365. Some go on to great heights, literally, flying fighter jets and Air Force One, running ski areas, and becoming top builders in the Valley. Others perform vital, but less glamorous services, caring for our kids, serving a meal, fixing a snowcat, excavating that foundation, laying a new floor, teaching skiing, towing your car, shining a spotlight on that singer or cleaning houses.
Graduates, as you go forth and prosper in this world, remember that the American Dream is still out there for people who are willing to work hard, show loyalty, and a sense of humor. As I frequently tell our players, availability is the best ability. It won’t be all sunshine and roses; there will be trials and tribulations.
As Trombone Shorty (great show at the Amp!) sings, “Nobody learned nothing, from a good time …” Keep grinding, keep smiling and things will work out. If you show up on time and give it your best, the universe will reward you. Have a great summer and welcome home, whether you grew up here or just arrived.
David Cope is a husband, dad, coach, retired teacher and general loudmouth. His wife, kids and dog don’t listen to him, but maybe you will.
