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Lawmakers Climb for the Cause

View from the summit of Mt. Democrat
Rep. Mark Ferrandino
View from the summit of Mt. Democrat

Several state lawmakers hiked Mount Democrat and Mount Lincoln today, in an effort to highlight the need for repairs to the capitol dome.

Legislators toured the capitol building last week to see firsthand how water infiltration and a freeze-thaw cycle are quickly destroying the iconic golden dome. The cast-iron enclosure has deteriorated so badly that a ten-pound chunk of metal fell off in 2007.  Out of safety concerns, public tours of the dome have been limited since then.

Repairs will take about two years, at an estimated cost of $17 million – but a public fundraising campaign to raise $12 million dollars has been slow to catch on. That’s why lawmakers are climbing the two 14-thousand foot peaks. Democrat Mark Ferrandino, a member of the Joint Budget Committee, tweeted from the summit of Mount Democrat late Tuesday morning. 

More about the project and the restoration campaign here.

As the host of KUNC’s new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.