The saga of Telluride's Prairie Dogs reminds me of the evolution of the Mexican Freetail Bat Colony of Austin, Texas. There are many similarities. Native to the Austin area, in 1980 these bats found the crevices underneath the newly constructed Congress St. bridge as the perfect daytime environment. These gentle insect hunters moved in slowly and over the next decade grew into a sizable colony. Though there was no danger to people, people's historic fears of bats took over, and some in Austin proposed to exterminate the bats and fill in the crevices under the bridge. This disdain for the bats is not unlike the old-school “rancher hatred of varmints.” In Austin, an educational movement was started, teaching the locals how this one bat colony alone eats in excess of 30,000 lbs of insects each evening. The bats evolved from a theoretical nuisance into a formidable environmental spectacle. Hundreds of people come to the bridge each and every evening to view the nightly bat exodus, local restaurants are busy before dusk, hotels near the bridge sell bridge-view rooms at a sizable premium, and many tourists make the bridge a must-see stop. In short, the bats have become a staple in the community. Even the local minor league hockey team was named the Ice-Bats! Further, it is estimated that the bats add a sizable $8 million per year to the Austin economy. The same can hold true, to one degree or another for Telluride's Prairie Dogs. Over the coming years, raptors and other carnivores will make their homes in the area. Environmentalists will come to Telluride to watch and study them. There is room for a small pull-out alongside the road where families can pull over and watch these curious animals. (My own children for instance, always insist that we drive slowly as we pass by, so they can watch) These prairie dogs residing so close to town, in such an easily viewable location are something highly unusual and really is special. Some/most tourists will find the prairie dogs interesting and thus will add to the intrigue of our special small town. The time is now for Telluride to be an example of how to embrace all aspects nature, to broaden the intrigue of our mountain town and how to be forward thinking, instead of acting with fear, hate and closed-mindedness.
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Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?
Jan 20, 2011 | 1418 views | 0 
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| 6 | | The saga of Telluride's Prairie Dogs reminds me of the evolution of the Mexican Freetail Bat Colony of Austin, Texas. There are many similarities. Native to the Austin area, in 1980 these bats found the crevices underneath the newly constructed Congress St. bridge as the perfect daytime environment. These gentle insect hunters moved in slowly and over the next decade grew into a sizable colony. Though there was no danger to people, people's historic fears of bats took over, and some in Austin proposed to exterminate the bats and fill in the crevices under the bridge. This disdain for the bats is not unlike the old-school “rancher hatred of varmints.” In Austin, an educational movement was started, teaching the locals how this one bat colony alone eats in excess of 30,000 lbs of insects each evening. The bats evolved from a theoretical nuisance into a formidable environmental spectacle. Hundreds of people come to the bridge each and every evening to view the nightly bat exodus, local restaurants are busy before dusk, hotels near the bridge sell bridge-view rooms at a sizable premium, and many tourists make the bridge a must-see stop. In short, the bats have become a staple in the community. Even the local minor league hockey team was named the Ice-Bats! Further, it is estimated that the bats add a sizable $8 million per year to the Austin economy. The same can hold true, to one degree or another for Telluride's Prairie Dogs. Over the coming years, raptors and other carnivores will make their homes in the area. Environmentalists will come to Telluride to watch and study them. There is room for a small pull-out alongside the road where families can pull over and watch these curious animals. (My own children for instance, always insist that we drive slowly as we pass by, so they can watch) These prairie dogs residing so close to town, in such an easily viewable location are something highly unusual and really is special. Some/most tourists will find the prairie dogs interesting and thus will add to the intrigue of our special small town. The time is now for Telluride to be an example of how to embrace all aspects nature, to broaden the intrigue of our mountain town and how to be forward thinking, instead of acting with fear, hate and closed-mindedness.
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Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ...">Share This Article | GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ..."> GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ..."> GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ..."> GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ..."> GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ...">
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ...">Share This Article | GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ..."> GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ..."> GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ..."> GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ..."> GUEST COMMENTARY
Could Telluride’s Prairie Dogs Become a Tourist Attraction?" addthis:description="An Austin, Tex., resident says Telluride’s prairie dog situation sounds familiar – and that, like his city’s famous Mexican Freetail Bat Colony, perhaps they could become a tourist attraction, not ...">
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photos
RATS’ NEST – A rack of demo bikes at last year’s Ridgway Area Trails (RAT) Festival in Hartwell Park. This year’s 3rd annual will again feature trail building and skills clinics, along with a new Friday beer-and-shorts film night at the Sherbino Theater. (Courtesy photo)
VOLUNTEER Linda Granzow worked twine through spent round casings at the Welcome Home Montrose Warrior Resource Center last week. (Photo by William Woody)
WARRIOR WIND CHIMES – Welcome Home Montrose staff Emily Smith painted ceramic part of wind chimes at the Welcome Home Montrose Warrior Resource Center last week. (Photo by William Woody)
BACK HOME IN TELLURIDE – members of Telluride’s Volunteer Fire Department helped move the Galloping Goose No. 4 back to its home next to the San Miguel County Courthouse on May 16. The railbus spent the last four years in Ridgway while it was refurbished. (Photo by Brett Schreckengost)
ROBERT JUSTIS (Courtesy photo)
