Territory Days sets records, adds a Memorial Day salute

Police reported the 35th annual three-day Territory Days celebration in Old Colorado City had the largest-volume days in memory (an estimated 130,000 to 140,000 people), the sunny weather cooperated fully, four ATM machines ran out of money ($100,000), kids rode a train and plugged their ears during Old West gunfights, bands packed several venues, beer sales doubled but there were no DUI arrests and there were only minor problems requiring police intervention.

Helping make it handy for the thousands that converged on the four-block area — and for the neighbors who live there — were large, full-to-capacity parking areas for vehicles at Coronado High School and Rock Ledge Range with frequent shuttles to the site, valet bike parking and reserved motorcycle parking. It appeared to help the congestion, said promotor Jim Wear, and police officers patrolled to keep driveways and alleys from being blocked. “We tried,” said Wear. “We wanted to minimize the heartburn for residents.”

Major problems included blisters and some dehydration. “Overall it was a safe event and that was important,” said Wear.

Setting records, no problems for police, vendors making money, those were impressive, said promoter Wear, but what touched him most was having an actual Memorial Day ceremony at 3 p.m. Monday beneath a 30 x 50 foot American flag suspended from fire department ladder trucks manned by volunteers. “We’re really happy we could pull this off successfully for the first time because this is what Memorial Day is, it’s the reason we have a free country. We wanted people to understand it is more than a day off work and barbecues. It’s the bigger picture.”