Them on Us, 12/1/2009

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

By Jake Nichols

Famed trophy heads back to Laramie

Since 1968, the Wyoming Cowboys and Colorado State Rams have knocked themselves out playing for the one-year ownership of a “bronze boot.” The travelling trophy is emblematic of the boot worn in the Vietnam War by Cpt. Jeff Romero, Sr., a Colorado State graduate and Army ROTC instructor at CSU between 1967 and 1969.

The two football teams hardly need any additional incentive to get after each other; the heated rivalry is considered the longest running matchup west of the Missouri. The teams have met on the gridiron once a year since 1899. Wyoming won this year’s contest, 17-16, last weekend. The “bronze boot” series is now tied 21-21.

Coal-filled stockings for Wyoming and China

Remember when President Barack Obama and China's President Hu Jintao got together earlier this month in China? Could be Wyoming came up. The two leaders discussed, among other things, a collaboration on cleaner coal technologies, according to the Casper Star-Tribune.

The efforts will include a coal-based carbon capture and sequestration demonstration project in China's Shaanxi province. Research partners from the U.S. include the Wyoming State Geological Survey – with participation from Wyoming’s major coal producer, Peabody Energy.

The U.S. and China are the world's largest coal superpowers, and together account for 40 percent of the world's carbon emissions. The United States produced 1.17 billion tons of coal in 2008, of which 39.5 percent came from Wyoming, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Amangani is super suite

Condé Nast Traveler once again tracked down the Top 50 Ski Hotels in North America in its December issue. The magazine’s readers were polled on rooms, service, dining/food, location, overall design, activities/facilities and rates. With a flawless score of 100 for rooms and the highest score of all resorts for dining/food (96), Amangani was voted No. 1.

“There is nothing more inspirational than positive feedback from our guests,” noted Stuart Campbell, General Manager of the 40-suite resort on East Gros Ventre Butte. “To have this feedback translate into such recognition from is a tribute to our wonderful team who reach for new heights every day.”

Kniffy clocks 10 years with BTNF

Kniffy Hamilton’s 10 years on the job were celebrated by local and national publications. We found the most extensive coverage in the Little Chicago Review. Hamilton oversees 3.4 million acres as the Forest Supervisor of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Only one other supervisor has reigned as long as Hamilton – Brian Stout (1984-1994).

The Denver native got Wilson through the Green Knoll Fire (2001), warded off oil and gas exploration in the Gros Ventre (2003), and is currently wrapping up an extensive rewrite of the BTNF Forest Plan. Prior to her current post, Hamilton was with the BLM for 20 years.

Sun Valley running $cared?

According to the Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, the Sun Valley Suns hockey team has left the Jackson Hole Moose off its 2009-2010 schedule this year for “financial reasons.” If that sounds like a load of chicken-scat, you’re not alone in thinking so. Sources at the Snow King rink are scratching their heads, as well, over why the most heated rivalry on ice won’t happen this year.

“We're sorry to lose the Moose but financially it made the most sense to avoid the home-and-home series like we've had with Jackson,” Suns captain Chris Warrington told the Sun Valley paper.

Sun Valley will still host 10 other teams as part of their 20-game season, including contests with Park City, Vancouver, Boston, Missoula, and Seattle. But they can’t scratch up the dough to pile into a couple of vans and head to JH? JHW

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