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From the Publisher

Letter From the Publisher – Fall is Finally HERE!

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While Global Warming is a topic that many would like to debate, there is absolutely no doubt that in Colorado, we have experienced one of the warmest summers on record this year with temperatures rising above 100 degrees for more extended periods.  We Colorado riders are so fortunate to head up the mountain for relief when the temperature is unbearable in town.

The fall season is here, and fall colors are upon us, and you only have a week or so before all those beautiful fall colors will have fallen softly to the ground, and in a blink of an eye, winter riding will be upon us….are you ready.  Halloween can be seen in every store, with Thanksgiving not far behind.  I then realized that we are but a blink away from the Children’s Hospital Toy Run and  86 days away from Christmas.  Where did our summer go?

Motorcycle Fatalities continue to RISE – Our biker community in Colorado has suffered 9 tragic motorcycle fatalities in the last two (2) weekends of September.  My calculations as President of BikerDown are that we have recorded 77 fatalities on the motorcycle so far in 2021.  The more significant statistic that will surprise many of you is that rider error accidents/fatalities are up this year.  That is a staggering number of deaths.

I don’t know what to say that hasn’t already been said or covered in previous issues of Colorado Rider News. Still, motorcycle awareness and safety are no longer about Look Twice Save a Life or Watch for Motorcycles bumper stickers on cars or Can you see me now As*hole t-shirts or patches.   MOTORCYCLE SAFETY MUST BEGIN WITH US!

Motorcycle awareness is now in the rider’s hands, and how experienced you are in defensive driving.  It is about how fast you ride for the conditions; it is about being more cautious when going thru intersections and stop lights.  Green no longer means GO; it means down shift and see if anyone is coming, looking both ways…before you proceed thru any light or stop sign.  It means if you see someone driving distracted…you do all that you can to stay clear of that irresponsible driver, which is almost impossible because 4 out of 10 drivers are using their phones while it is moving.  

Insurance coverages/Reviews – Bike insurance, 2nd to safety gear, motorcycle insurance is the most essential item you can have for your bike.  It out ranks 85.00 Harley-Davidson shirts, cool chrome accessories, jackets, and rain gear….it out ranks everything.  Without good bike insurance and add ons such as under-insured or un-insured motorists, the injured riders will be surprised how un-insured they are and what the current bike insurance covers.  RiderJustice.com has always offered any biker a FREE insurance review to discuss what your existing insurance covers.  Be sure to stop by the Rider Justice booth next time you see them and get their suggested levels of insurance to keep you covered in the event of an accident.

Motorcycle Safety used to refer to whether you wore a helmet.  This isn’t a debate on where to WEAR or NOT WEAR a helmet.  Now, considering helmet protection and wearing the proper safety gear IS A MUST to stay alive and enable you to recover from an accident.   Companies like Tobacco Motorwear are coming out with stylish denim jeans with Kevlar fibers in them so that in the event of a crash, it can help limit the road rash and damages to your body.  Kevlar riding shirts that you wear over your t-shirts and under your vest and will protect your shoulders, elbows and most importantly your back.  Knox armor in your leather vests or jackets that will protect your spine.  Some will say I will not spend 300 on a pair of riding jeans or I can’t afford it.  We are in a riding age where you can’t afford NOT TO HAVE some safety gear when you ride.  This year I would ask all motorcycle riders to put safety gear on their Christmas list for next year.

Calendar of Events – This month has some special events, and Colorado Rider News is proud to feature them in this issue:

October 16th – Dirty Dogs Roadhouse 4th  Anniversary Birthday Bash – who doesn’t love a party when Mark and Rob pull out all the stops for their 4th-anniversary party.  You can read more about Dirty Dogs with some great photos showing how far they have come from when they started.

October 24th – BikerDown and Rider Justice are hosting another round of Accident Scene Management classes that teach a motorcycle rider how to render aid in the event of an accident.  Class to be held at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds from 8:30 am to 5 pm.  Rider Justice is offsetting the 99.00 class rate to $40.00 to make it more affordable for all riders to have these valuable skills.  For more information, go to riderjustice.com/rj-events/ to register.

October 30th – Dirty Dogs Roadhouse – Halloween party – We all know that Mark & Rob know how to throw a party and their Halloween parties are legendary!  So, get your costume ready for a chance to win great prizes!

We welcome your comments and thoughts on what CRN can do better in the future, and enjoy the ride!

Please ride safe out there!

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

3rd Annual Colorado Rider News BEST of the BEST Contest is ON

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By Colorado Rider News

Colorado Rider News is bringing back our BEST of the BEST contest.  This year has been a year of recovery for our biker-owned business who survived the pandemic.  Biker-owned companies are just getting back on their feet, and we want to honor them for their hard work. 

CRN had such a great response from previous years, and we have added and eliminated some categories to keep it interesting.  This year, you can vote daily instead of one time per round to really up the competition.

Here is how the contest will work.  The survey/contest is on our Colorado Rider News Facebook page (click here)and our website www.coloradoridernews.com.  Vote daily and vote often.    On October 24th, we will tally all the entries and pick the top 3  semi-finalists and post them online and in the November 2021 issue.  You will then have another 30 days to vote again for the 3 finalists in each category.    Awards will be presented in January 2021. 

Letter from the Publisher – We Must Never Forget 9/11

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.   I know that most of us can remember exactly where we were on that day and how they frantically rushed home to be with their families to ensure that we were all together, as none of us knew what the future held.

Everything changed on 9/11, and it made us understand that there will always be evil in this world and that we must fight that fight abroad and not in our country. It was a time in our country where we all flew a flag on our homes, cars/trucks, and for a very short time, it was us against evil.  

For 20 years, our country hasn’t had an attack of that magnitude, and it seems that pride in our country has faded.  We spend more time arguing and being divided than we are doing to be proud to be American.  There is a reason that millions flock to the United States every year because whether you agree with the government or your neighbor, you have a right to express your opinion and voice against your government.

Colorado Rider News wanted to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this devastating attack and losses with remembrance photographs and a timeline to remind us of the sacrifices that so many made and the lives lost.   Some riders will read this publication that wasn’t born before 2001, and hopefully, they will learn that this country should be more united than divided moving forward

In Colorado, our community annually honors these lives lost in rides and personal remembrance.  Since 9/11, we want to thank those who have served for protecting our freedom by attending the  Colorado 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Red Rocks.  This event is a way to connect, honor, and remember the FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live on 9-11-2001.  Each participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center.   We must also not forget the brave souls of Flight 93 that overcame the terror.  Mile-High Harley-Davidson will also be hosting first responders, fire, and police at the Aurora dealership with a free BBQ meal, compliments of Taste of Texas BBQ.

Colorado Rider News and BikerDown Foundation will be compiling a team of other motorcycle riders to come and climb these stairs to honor the fallen and veteran and active military that have fought for our freedom and keeping terrorism at bay from our country.

This will be a day of hope and healing, remembrance and reflection, honoring the heroes, victims, and resilient spirit of everyone affected by 9/11.

Please ride safe out there!

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

Thunder in the Rockies is CANCELLED For 2021.

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Thunder Harley-Davidson announced today that due to circumstances beyond their control such as COVID concerns, staffing, and supply issues, they sadly must cancel their Annual Thunder in the Rockies for 2021. This will be the 2nd year in a row that Thunder Mountain has had to cancel, however, this publication commends them for doing what they felt was best for the community, as well as not settling on an event that doesn’t meet the standards of what attendees are used to.

Here is their post on their ThunderInTheRockies.com website:

a group of rvs parked outside a building

THUNDER IN THE ROCKIES 2021 CANCELLED


We are heartbroken to announce the cancellation of the 2021 Thunder in the Rockies bike rally. This extremely difficult decision was made based on many factors including potential restrictions and entertainer concerns related to the most recent rise in Covid-19 cases. Lack of support due to supply chain issues and labor/inventory shortages throughout our vendor, sponsor, and business partner communities were additional factors.

All 2021 concert tickets purchased through our official Ticketweb outlet will automatically be refunded within 30 days. Any tickets purchased at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson can be turned in at the Thunder Mountain front desk for a refund anytime within the next 30 days.

The Forever Family Ride will still happen on Monday, Sept 6th. It is very important to the Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson team to support Realities for Children and encourage our customers to get out in the fresh air and ride! Check-in and breakfast will begin at 9 AM at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson, kickstands up at 10:30 AM. More information can be found at www.ForeverFamilyRide.com.

We have extended our Bike Night series an additional week to hold the 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America giveaway. This event will be our last Bike Night of the season at Thunder Mountain Amphitheatre on Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 6 PM to 9 PM. The raffle prize drawing will be held promptly at 7:30 PM and the bike giveaway qualifier drawing/key turn at 8:30 PM. You must be present to win for both drawings.


The 2022 Thunder in the Rockies planning is already well underway so mark your calendars, Labor Day Weekend (Sept 2-5, 2022). We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your support. Ride safe!


THUNDER IN THE ROCKIES
4250 Byrd Drive
Loveland, CO 80538
Phone: (866) 646-6296
Fax: (970) 292-0440
For Questions Contact:
marketing@thundermountainharley.com

Be Sure to Visit the Infamous Sturgis Lemonade Stand

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It is estimated that over One Million motorcycle riders are at this years 81st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Vendors are everywhere and a shopper can get brain damage trying to see all that the vendors have for sale from Biden Sucks tshirts to leather and fishnet outfits that would frighten fish.

However, a motorcycle loving 8 year old’s lemonde stand has become a popular attraction at Rally this year. Wyatt Dennis opened the stand last year to earn a little money toward a Lego set he wanted. He raised enough money to get his Lego set and donate $200 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

This year, Dennis’ lemonade stand went viral after someone at a nearby campground posted about him on social media. But when Wyatt realized he had such a lucrative business, he sought some financial advice. He and his parents came up with a plan that 50% of what is earned should go to his college fund, 30% to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and 20% to buy a dirt bike.

As of today, Wyatt had raised about $9,000 at his lemonade stand. MedVed Autoplex in Denver also offered to match up to $1,000 in donations for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  

In addition to quenching the thirst of Rallygoers and others, Wyatt believes he’s making people happy by operating the lemonade stand.

“When they come up to the table, they have a smile on their face. I think I’m inspiring people,” he said.

Wyatt, who will be a third-grader at Piedmont Valley Elementary School this fall, is thrilled to be able to donate some of the money to the children being treated at St. Jude’s.

“It feels like I’m making other kids and their parents happy, but also making me happy that I can help them,” he said.

Wyatt’s mom and dad, Robin and Devin, warned him that if he wanted to do the lemonade stand he was the one who would have to work it, not them. They agreed to be there with him, but he was the one to wave in the customers and serve the lemonade.

If you stop at the Wyatt’s lemonade stand, please share photos with us at info@coloradoridernews.com.

8/9/2021 – UPDATE ON WYATT’S PROGRESS – It has been reported that the Black Hill Riders and South Dakota Sport Bikes got together and presented Wyatt’s with a dirt bike today! Watch the Youtube video here

It’s a HOT One!

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With temperatures over 100 degrees, and riders taking long trips and getting ready to head to Sturgis in August, riders must understand that riding can come with challenges such as dehydration.  Dehydration can happen quickly in motorcyclists, decreasing your ability to ride safely and even threatening your life if not properly treated.  Motorcycle riding, like other sports, is a physical activity putting strain on your muscles and causing your body to release heat through sweat. If you must ride during the day or are traveling thru, we encourage you to go on our website (www.coloradoridernews.com) and read the June article by Shannon “Dazzlin” Venturo called 10 Tips to Stay Cool on Hot Motorcycle Rides.  This article gives great tips on planning your ride and staying hydrated.

This month our online publication starts our 3rd Annual Colorado BEST of the BEST contest; we ask the readers to vote each year and tell us who has the BEST of the BEST in each of our categories.  Starting in July, voters will write in their favorite business in each category.  August, we will tabulate the Top 3 for a semi-finalist round and readers will have an entire month to vote for the Top 3 semi-finalists.  Final voting will be published in our September CRN issue. 

Suppose Arizona is on your destination list this year. In that case, we have two great articles from riders who recently took trips to Arizona and shared with us some great history about their destinations.  If you took a Bucket List trip this year and would like to submit a story to Colorado Rider News, we would love to hear from you.  You can submit your article by emailing us at info@coloradoridernews.com

Motorcycle riders are still being injured or killed in record numbers surpassing the 33% increase in fatalities in 2020, and this publication will continue to put a FACE on this injustice.  Our sponsor RiderJustice.com helps riders with insurance reviews on their current motorcycle coverage, living wills, and BikerDown Foundation offers an Aflac Accident policy inclusive in their monthly $35.00 per month Roadside Assistance membership.  As riders must consider these types of upgrades in our coverages before their next ride. Driver’s are still out driving distracted, leaving the scene, and continue to have limited insurance or no insurance at all.  The injured riders are left alone to bear the burden of their recovery on their own.  If riders increased their insurance to include under-insured or uninsured motorist coverage on their car or bike, this would provide them with some assistance to help them recover.

Our Calendar of Events section is also growing as mask mandates. COVID restrictions have been removed, so we look forward to your continued addition of events to the calendar.

Please ride safe out there!

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

Why We Honor Memorial Day

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Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, and while this year’s holiday looked different because of the state of the world, Memorial Day is still a very important commemoration. But how many people really know why we celebrate Memorial Day in the first place?

Well, a new poll by University of Phoenix finds a lot of Americans are clueless to the fact that it’s a holiday to honor military members who gave their life serving in the armed forces.

In fact, only:

  • 43% of Americans know that’s the true reason for Memorial Day.
  • 28% of Americans look at Memorial Day like Veteran’s Day, a day where we honor all military veterans, not just the ones who lost their lives serving our country.
  • 36% of people admit they are unsure of the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
  • 46% of Americans know Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May.
  • 21% thought it fell on the last Sunday of May.
  • 83% of people believe it’s important to do something to commemorate the day.

Among the ways Americans plan to celebrate this year:

  • 43% – Fly a flag, leave a flag or flowers on the grave of someone who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces
  • 30% – Attend a local ceremony or patriotic event
  • 30% – Fly a flag at half-mast
  • 29% – Visit a military monument or war memorial monument
  • 27% – Educate my children about the meaning of Memorial Day
  • 25% – Wear a Memorial Day button
  • 24% – Aid a family who lost someone serving in the U.S. Armed Forces
  • 22% – Educate myself about the meaning of Memorial Day
  • 22% – Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces.

The holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, started after the Civil War to honor the Union and Confederate dead. It’s unclear exactly where the holiday originated—Charleston, S.C., Waterloo, N.Y., Columbus, Ga. and other towns all claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. The event in Charleston that may have precipitated Memorial Day offers poignant evidence of a country struggling to rebuild itself after a bloody war: 257 Union soldiers died in prison in Charleston during the Civil War and were buried in unmarked graves, and the town’s black residents organized a May Day ceremony in which they landscaped a burial ground to properly honor the soldiers. In the years following the Civil War, Memorial Day celebrations were scattered and, perhaps unsurprisingly, took root differently in the North and South. It wasn’t until after World War II that the holiday gained a strong following and national identity, and it wasn’t officially named Memorial Day until 1967. The final event that cemented the modern culture of Memorial Day in America was in 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Act, designating Memorial Day as the last Monday in May rather than May 30, as it had previously been observed. This ensured a three-day weekend and gave the day its current status as the unofficial beginning of summer, mixing serious reflection with more lighthearted fun.

Letter From The Publisher Colorado Motorcycle Fatalities up 33% from 2019 and We are EXPANDING!

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May is Motorcycle Awareness month and a time for ALL RIDERS to work to get the awareness out to the driving community.  Yesterday I was asked to participate in a CDOT campaign focused on helmet use by riders.  Riding will always be about Freedom of the Ride, and individual choice, but it is clear that we riders cannot STOP drivers from driving distracted, we cannot STOP drivers from texting & driving.

While listening to the speakers, I was overwhelmed to hear that motorcycle fatalities were up 33%.  That means in real numbers that 137 motorcycle riders died on their bikes in 2020, up from 103 the previous year.  This is the largest number of motorcycle fatalities EVER in the state of Colorado.

I began to wonder as I was standing there, what can I do when I get on the bike and go out for a ride to ensure that I get home safe or survive if I get into an accident and the answer that kept coming into my mind was WEAR MY HELMET each time I ride.

This will not be the answer that many will want to hear, but the reality is that I have a family to come home to, I am a wife, mother and grandmother who wants to see my grandchildren grow up.  I will make the PLEDGE today to never get on my bike without putting my safety gear on to give me a better chance of surviving in the event of an accident.

To enter for a chance to win a helmet click here

I am pleased to announce that Colorado Rider News will be working with BikerDown and Rider Justice to implement a helmet giveaway each month  to those that might not be able to afford a new helmet or would like to upgrade to a better helmet.  See the ad in this issue of CRN to learn how you sign up for a chance to win a new helmet! Rider Justice will also work with Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson to size and evaluate the type of helmet a rider wants to ride with. We thank all of the sponsors of this program.

4 years ago, Colorado Rider News was launched because our community had lost 2 of our publications in Colorado devoted to motorcycle riding.  Publishing this publication isn’t easy and takes tremendous commitment.  CRN with the help of many of our advertisers has grown in distribution and our success is because we have focused on biker owned businesses and all things Colorado.

We will premiering Motorcycle Rider News in the Las Vegas community in June of this year to continue that message and giving Vegas motorcycle riders a voice in the community.  Wish us Luck!

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

Publisher, Colorado Rider News

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month – Safety begins with the rider

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Laurie Montoya is President & Founder of BikerDown Foundation and Editor and Publisher of 2 motorcycle publications Motorcycle Rider News & Colorado Rider News

By Laurie Montoya, President and Founder of BikerDown Colorado

The Phrase Everyday should be Motorcycle Awareness Day is a statement that signifies the epidemic of motorcycle riders across this country that are injured daily. Everyone knows of a rider who has gone down, been injured or sadly has passed from a motorcycle accident.

Motorcyclists weigh the risk versus the reward for the freedom of the ride and most would say that if they had their choice they would GO doing what they loved. What happens thought when they are injured and their families are left to pick up the pieces of recovery, how does the family survive when you are looking at 6-8 months of recovery and multiple surgeries? What do they do when the driver of the car that hit them has an irresponsible driver with no insurance or at the very least the state minimum required to be on the road.

The answer is actually very simple – Motorcycle Awareness STARTS WITH ME! – Freedom of the ride in no longer free my friends, it requires riders to have the safety gear to keep them safer on the road than ever before, and it requires them to no longer get on the bike without the adequate insurance so in the event of an accident or fatality, the motorcycle law firm of their choice will be able to get them a recovery settlement that they need to survive. THAT IS THE TRUTH, and THE TRUTH DOESN’T CHANGE no matter what your ride, how you ride or what group or club you are in!

The National Organization BikerDown Foundation and your local chapter of BikerDown Colorado is mounting a daily campaign “I AM A BIKER” during Motorcycle Awareness Month in the hopes that it will go viral and show drivers/cagers that there are faces behind those helmets, that we are mothers/fathers, husband/wives and that we are more than just a motorcyclist.

We want to give also give our readers and followers tools and tips on how you can make your ride safer on the road, or in the event of an accident have the insurance coverages that you need.

Today, we will start that campaign with a motorcycle insurance checklist provided by Rider Justice.com that is vital to your recovery in the event of an accident. We hope that all riders will take the PLEDGE TODAY, to call their insurance carrier and ask these very basic questions

  1. In the event I am hit by an un-insured driver, what kind of coverage do i have? Do i have un-insured motorist? Did i waive it when i got the policy?
  2. In the event I am hit by a driver with limited insurance, what kind of coverage do I have?
  3. If i have a passenger on the back of my bike and we are hit, is the passenger covered?
  4. Are my medical bills covered in the event of an accident? How much is it to add Med-Pay?
  5. I have car and bike insurance – are my policies stackable?
  • Underinsured Motorist (UIM) – Purchase a minimum of $250,000
  • Medical Payments (MedPay) – Get the maximum offered by your insurance company, usually between $5,000 and $25,000
  • Umbrella Policy – If you own your home, you need an underinsured motorists’ umbrella policy for $1 million
  • Liability – Purchase a minimum of $250,000
  • Collision –
  • Comprehensive
  • Accessories Coverage – This protects all of the customized accessories on your bike. Be sure to get replacement value coverage
Rider Justice Motorcycle Lawyers

In Colorado or anywhere in the country, if you need an insurance review of what you actually have on your policy and a suggestion of what you should upgrade to, i would suggest that you call Rider Justice and speak to Scott O’Sullivan.

Motorcycle Riders Will Be Forever #BikerStrong

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

1 year ago, we were all living in a different space with COVID shutting all our lives down.  COVID was peaking and our national and local government’s initiated mandatory shutdowns in the hopes that the shutdown would stop the spread.

I am happy to report that while many businesses have closed or will never re-open, our most of biker related businesses have found a way to survive here in Colorado and that is because of the YOU. 

It was during these times of hardship that Colorado biker businesses and riders summoned the strength and resilience that lives deep in our DNA to survive. Our biker’s business proved that no matter how often we are knocked down, we will keep getting up and get through this pandemic together. Your commitment to support biker bars thru take out orders, direct donation and continuing to wear your masks has given these businesses just enough revenue to keep their doors open. 

The challenges that biker establishments like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse and others have endured, the additional costs involved to remain compliant will take years to recover from, but 1 thing is clear…the biker community is resilient and a community of riders that stand together will forever be #bikerstrong

Colorado Rider News, the only remaining monthly motorcycle publication in our community also faced challenges, and thanks to our motorcycle advertisers and subscribers who continued to read our publication online, we too were able to weather the COVID storm and are still here today!

The future of our motorcycle events in Colorado are increasing, and slowly events are filling up our event calendar.  Dealerships, promotors, and charities who struggled thru 2020, are scheduling their annual rides and events and we ask everyone to do what you can to support them. 

In this issue we will share with our readers and update on the 2nd  Colorado Motorcycle Swap Meet held at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in March.  We have also dedicated a portion of this month’s issue to Women riders, their upcoming events, and businesses. 

Lastly, April is also Child Abuse Awareness month and CRN was honored to touch base with Biker’s for Justice and Christian Riders MM who will both be hosting rides to bring awareness to child abuse and trafficking.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

Publisher, Colorado Rider News