Every year I watch the Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade. Usually, I am half of the broadcast team for 1310 KFKA. This year, Scooter McGee took my place so I could simply enjoy the parade from the comfort of the mobile studio. Because I didn’t have to broadcast, it afforded me the great luxury of observing the crowd as onlookers watched the parade. And as I have done for the last few years, I provide my parade observations:

First, it was held on Saturday, July 3, to accommodate Sunday religious services, which I think is a kind gesture but it’s odd having the 4th of July parade on July 3rd. This really messed up my internal calendar.  Today, feels like Sunday instead of Monday.

Second, it’s still boring. I’ve been critical of the Stampede parade in the past because it is sterile.  A few years ago, the Stampede Committee put a stop to the traditional water gun fights.  They also put a stop to throwing candy and politics.  As a result, the parade is dull and one dimensional.

There is one thing that really struck me — how they received elected officials, candidates for office and their supporters. The reaction seemed to reflect the mood of a country that has little faith in its political institutions as the economy continues to falter.

When the Democrats, including Congresswoman Betsy Markey, Denver Mayor and gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper, and senatorial candidate Andrew Romanoff, passed by my spot, there was no booing, hissing, clapping, cheering or jeering. There was nothing — just erie silence.  The only attention they got was when my colleague George Gray briefly interviewed all three for the parade broadcast.

Last year , Markey was met with silence as well.  But this was different.  It seemed directed at the entire political class. I have no idea if they got the same reception along the rest of the parade route but it was nothing but silence from my position.

In this very conservative community, Republicans didn’t fare much better. There were polite claps but not the usual cheering.

This tells me that candidates, especially incumbents, will have to work a little harder for every vote.  This is a tough crowd.

Once again, I want to extend a big huge thank you to State Rep John Kefalas!  As a mom I can’t imagine how I would “manage” raising my kids without the  Fort Collins Democrat to make my parenting life easier.

According to Colorado News Agency reporter Debi Brazzale, Kefalas’s legislation HB 1147 will make it a crime for anyone under the age of 18 to ride a bike, scooter, skateboard and even in-line skates without a helmet.

The proposed new law doesn’t carry any real punishment.  According to Kefalas the purpose of the law is to provide parents with another idol threat with no real consequence.  Brazzale quoted him, “We’re saying ‘It’s the law. You have to have a helmet if you’re a minor, but we’re not going to punish you.”  I’m sure my kids won’t see through that!

The bill passed the House Transportation Committee and is awaiting second reading.