2012 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 12-1017 BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Priola and Kerr A., Waller, Barker, Baumgardner, Beezley, Brown, Casso, Conti, Court, Duran, Fields, Fischer, Gardner B., Gerou, Hamner, Hullinghorst, Jones, Joshi, Kefalas, Looper, Massey, Murray, Nikkel, Pabon, Pace, Peniston, Ryden, Schafer S., Solano, Sonnenberg, Summers, Swerdfeger, Todd, Vaad, Vigil, Young, McNulty; also SENATOR(S) Steadman and Roberts, Aguilar, Boyd, Foster, Heath, Nicholson, Tochtrop, Williams S.. CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF THE DENVER-BOULDER TURNPIKE PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 36 AS THE "BUFFALO HIGHWAY". WHEREAS, The American Bison, commonly known as the buffalo, has long been a symbol of the American West; and WHEREAS, Known for their presence in the Great Plains, buffalo were also once abundant throughout northwestern Colorado, the Front Range, and the South, Middle, and North parks; and WHEREAS, As the largest mammal in Colorado, the buffalo can reach 10 feet in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds; and WHEREAS, The buffalo became the official mascot of the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1934; and WHEREAS, The University of Colorado at Boulder is currently home to one of the few live mascot programs in the nation, having cared for their live buffalo mascots since 1966; and WHEREAS, The buffalo mascot travels the Denver-Boulder Turnpike portion of United States Highway 36 to attend every home football game; and WHEREAS, In the 1920s, University of Colorado Professor Roderick Downing and his civil engineering class discussed a direct toll road from Boulder to Denver; and WHEREAS, In 1947, Professor Downing's ideas were taken up by the Colorado General Assembly, and five years later the Denver-Boulder Turnpike became a reality; and WHEREAS, Former University of Colorado at Boulder President Roland Rautenstraus helped choose whether the highway should go over Davidson Mesa or around it to the north. The northern route was considered a bit safer but longer and without the view, but it was decided that the view was worth the risk; and WHEREAS, Professor Downing attended the opening-day ceremonies on January 19, 1952, and was called the "father" of the toll road. At the turnpike's opening, the toll was 25 cents to drive from Denver to Boulder; and WHEREAS, By 1967, drivers had paid off the turnpike's construction 15 years ahead of schedule, and the toll road became a free highway; and WHEREAS, The University of Colorado at Boulder has a "Buffalo Highway" flag program that places black and gold flags between the Broomfield and Louisville exits on United States Highway 36 prior to each home football game; and WHEREAS, The Denver-Boulder Turnpike is both a convenient thoroughfare and a scenic gateway into the Rocky Mountains; and WHEREAS, It is a widely shared experience for University of Colorado students and alumni to drive from Denver and see Boulder and the University from the top of Davidson Mesa. For many, this experience was their first view of the University; and WHEREAS, The current enrollment of students at the University of Colorado at Boulder is approximately 29,800, and the state is home to nearly 100,000 alumni; and WHEREAS, In 2011, the University of Colorado at Boulder hosted an estimated 385,000 guests at various cultural events and an estimated 500,000 people at athletic events; and WHEREAS, The buffalo is an important symbol to both University students and citizens within and beyond the areas surrounding the Denver-Boulder Turnpike; and WHEREAS, It is fitting that the buffalo be recognized as a symbol of not only the University, but the surrounding community; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-eighth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein: (1) That the portion of United States Highway 36 from the interchange at Interstate 25 to the intersection at Colorado Avenue in the City of Boulder be renamed the "Buffalo Highway"; (2) That the Colorado Department of Transportation may accept and expend gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of the initial placement of signs to mark the designated portion of United States Highway 36 as the "Buffalo Highway"; and (3) That the Colorado Department of Transportation may explore a cooperative agreement with the Boards of County Commissioners for Boulder, Broomfield, and Adams Counties for the maintenance of the markings for the "Buffalo Highway". Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to representatives of the PAC 12 schools, including Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow, Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray, Stanford University President John L. Hennessy, University of Arizona President Eugene G. Sander, University of California at Berkeley Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau, University of California at Los Angeles Chancellor Gene Block, University of Oregon President Robert M. Berdahl, University of Southern California President C. L. Max Nikias, University of Utah President A. Lorris Betz, University of Washington President Michael Young, Washington State University President Elson S. Floyd, and University of Colorado President Bruce D. Benson; and also to University of Colorado at Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Chancellor Pamela S. Shockley-Zalabak, and University of Colorado at Denver Chancellor Jerry Wartgow; and also to Boulder Mayor Susan Osborne; Broomfield Mayor Patrick Quinn; Federal Heights Mayor Joyce Thomas; Louisville Mayor Bob Muckle; Superior Mayor Andrew Muckle; Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally; and the Boards of County Commissioners for Boulder, Broomfield, and Adams Counties; and also to each member of Colorado's congressional delegation. _________________________________________________________ Frank McNulty Brandon C. Shaffer SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE ____________________________ ____________________________ Marilyn Eddins Cindi Markwell CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE