Letters to the Editor
Buffs Family Legacy
I always enjoy the Coloradan, especially living in Virginia. The university is quite a legacy for my family. My grandfather taught at CU, and my uncle, aunt, mom and dad, as well as my son and I, all graduated from CU. My whole family, 15 of us, visited CU last June. What a time of remembrance.
Donald Nodtvedt (Bio’74)
Danville, Virginia
Chancellor’s Impactful Message
I reread Maria Kuntz’s interview with new CU Chancellor Justin Schwartz from Fall 2024, which shows his intention to “reinforce the idea that inclusivity is truly including all.” He even shared a touching story about it. In this political climate, his words touched me.
Tracy Lehr (Jour’84)
Oxnard, California
Sustainability Collaboration
I have read the Spring 2025 “Sustainable Spinouts” article and am proud that CU Boulder is working towards sustainability in reaching green buildings. I am working similarly in developing thermal insulation and sound absorption materials developed from agro and medical waste materials, which are natural, biodegradable and could replace the petrochemical and synthetic thermal insulation materials. My work is on a lab scale, and I am looking for collaboration to transfer it to the marketplace.
Mohamed Ali (MEng’84; PhD’88)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Welcoming the Wolf
The Fall 2024 article “Welcoming the Wolf” was biased, inaccurate and one-sided. The colorful artwork of a fluffy white apex predator did not give the real story of what is happening in Colorado with the introduction of wolves. Bill Allegar (Engl’71) wrote, “More than two dozen wolves have been shot by ranchers whose cattle have been attacked and eaten by wolves.” This is not correct. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports that of the 25 wolves they introduced (December 2023 and January 2025), two have been illegally shot, and one more was killed after crossing the Wyoming border. The penalty for shooting a wolf in Colorado is one year in jail, a $100,000 fine and loss of all hunting privileges. The ranchers know this, so they have refrained, despite their livestock and pets being killed by wolves.
Shannon Lukens (Jour’82)
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
The Dark Horse in the ’60s and ’70s
Reading the article about Boulder’s Dark Horse stirred memories from my experience there. The article mentioned that the Horse has been a go-to for students and residents since 1975. I remember all-you-can-eat spaghetti for $2 on Sundays at the Horse in the late ’60s! I don’t recall the decor, which may have been different during my time, but it was a go-to back then!
John Ezell (Engl’70)
Centennial, Colorado
The Dark Horse was originally called the Cabaret when it opened in late 1973. The headline performer was Al Fike, who had previously graced the stage at the El Rancho off of I-70 near Evergreen. Bobby LaKind, who later joined the Doobie Brothers as a conga player, was brought in to manage and book more national acts. I recall Hugh Masekela performing a few nights.
I was a bartender there, but left Boulder before the venue changed to the Dark Horse. I just wanted to set the record straight for the few that may remember the old Cabaret. We served very strong libations, which may be one of the reasons the business didn’t survive.
John Bernhart (Soc’71)
Las Vegas, Nevada
Degree Notation Question
This is probably not a question at the level of the editor, but no other people to ask that I could find in my latest issue of the Coloradan. A fair number of people have a further notation than the year of graduation, e.g., A&S ex’61 or A&S ex’70, even the football player on the back cover, Soc ex’96. What does the “ex” mean?
Dorothy Correa (Psych’71)
Arroyo Grande, California
[Editor’s Note: The “ex” in the degree information for some alumni indicates that the person attended CU but did not graduate. “Ex” stands for “expected” year of graduation, should they have finished their program.]
Father, Son and Soulmate
My days at CU Boulder were some of the best in my life. I met my wife of 50-plus years, Brenda Fulton Mitchell (Soc’05), and my father was a graduate of CU, Walter Mitchell (CivEngr’36).
Robert Mitchell (Mktg’73)
Fresno, California
Game-Changing Love
Thank you for the article on CU’s first bowl game in the spring Coloradan. My mother and father met and fell in love on that train trip to and from the game in Texas. They married within a year. I had no idea the game was such a big deal throughout the state, but it turned out to be a very big deal for the generations of us that followed it!
Paul Shallenberger (Mktg’71)
Glendale, Arizona
Coloradan Origami
I’ve been housebound with long COVID fatigue for 15 months with no improvement. So I make these origami cards from recycled paper. The art in the Coloradan always inspires me. So all of the enclosed cards were made from the most recent edition, and I’m sharing them with you to thank you for all your hard work. I hope you and whoever you give them to enjoy them. Spreading smiles is the only good part of this terrible disease.
Keep up the good work!
Patti Hines Generale (TranMgmt’75)
Newberry, Florida
Correction: Karl Montick (IntlBus’79) was incorrectly listed as deceased in the Fall 2020 issue. He writes, “Please note I am alive and well and living in Bozeman. Skiing, hiking and fishing.” We regret the error.
Photos Courtesy Donald Nodtvedt (family photo); Courtesy Patti Hines Generale (origami)