Colorado Quarters

Finalists (yeah - it'll be a broken link in about a year - sorry...)

I realize that this post is about 4 months late, but I didn't have a blog in May and I hadn't seen the Colorado quarters myself until this morning. This is why I think that Governor Bill Owens made the right selection:

• 1. Only about 10% of our state population has even been to Mesa Verde
• 2. We don't want everybody to associate Colorado and Columbine on our state quarter. I know it's a beautiful flower, but you and I both know that why it was placed on the quarter was political. It's like New York using the World Trade Center - it's a nice tribute, but it's not what you want people to think of when they look at the quarter. (The 'C' from the Colorado flag might have helped this one too.)
• 3. "Pikes Peak or Bust" is a special rodeo/festival in Colorado Springs. To the rest of the state and nation, the phrase reminds us of the cover to the "Oregon Trail" games - yes, Oregon.
• 4. (This is the one he chose.)
• 5. The skier was a nice touch, but even fewer people than have been to Mesa Verde know about the 10th Mountain Division.

So, although Longs Peak is a little random, (I do like the Evans touch from the "Centennial State" quarter), it was the best option. It's not like it says "Visit Estes Park" on it, which is the impression I get from most of the other quarters. #2 would have been really good too, but with some minor changes, which isn't what Owens was wanting...