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2026 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
The weather has been unseasonably warm in Colorado. This hasn't deterred the resolute resolution of the elk herds who have migrated down from nearby mountains. They now live in the neighborhood and munch down the measly remains of LyNette's garden. Ranger, our husky, is quite excited for the transient freeloaders, though his excitement is not reciprocated.
During this New Year Time it hasn't been a particularly monumental resolution to climb Mount Cutler. Historically in the winter months this relatively short hike is across a cold, ice covered path. It can be an abominable hike, particularly at night. Family members attempting an icy Cutler ascent were frequently splayed out on their backsides like Ranger looking for a belly rub. In the dark of the night, and similar to the Titanic, we never saw the ice until it was too late. However, be it during the day or night, ice or no ice, the somewhat selfish resolution remained; invigoration and exercise, with great views of Colorado Springs and the Cheyenne Canyons. Seven Falls situated in South Cheyenne Canyon is beautifully illuminated in the evenings. This view of course was, and is, a special encouragement for an after dark hike up Mount Cutler. The proprietor of Seven Falls, currently the Broadmoor, is resolute in proudly claiming that this is "Colorado's Most Majestic Waterfall". Given water often has to be pumped to the top of the falls for a meaningful flow, and some of the seven falls are more like rapids, a "majestic" claim is far from a universally adopted resolution.
resolutions of absolution
It is supposed that there are many reasons for resolutions of change. Seeking absolution may be a more common rationale than realized. However, resolutions of absolution is not a new thought. Of course a classic example is Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge was a fictional Charles Dickens character, who resolved (with some spiritual assistance) to turn his life around after many years of self-centered living.
Fitness
Better "fitness" could very well be a resolution of absolution as one seeks self-forgiveness from the eat, drink and be merry holidays. Whether it is too much food, too many nights of binge watching a Netflix series or the endless scrolling through Social media apps, one may regret indulgences of the past year.
A more worthy resolution may be a commitment to moderation. However, aspiring to better fitness continues to be trendy. Fitness allows one to forsake moderation by investing in sweat equity.
Energy
Excel Energy, for the first time recollected, resolved to intentionally de-energized service across much of the front range west of Denver. Was this a resolution of absolution?
A PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) happened twice in December 2025. Some people expect these PSPSs to be chronic occurrences in 2026 and beyond. Excel shared that this unprecedented PSPS action was, as the acronym suggests, for public safety. High winds were forecasted and downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment in this typically dry season creates a wild fire risk. The questions in the minds of many front range consumers of energy are 1) what has changed, and 2) is the wild fire risk really greater?
One of Mom's common and frustrated utterances (and there weren't many) was "darn wind". Heaven for her is now essentially wind free. So, even with the exaggerated and tired calls of climate change, there is justified skepticism that the winds are greater. Yet many agree the risk is higher. Though the California Palisade's fire and the Colorado Marshall fire have heightened public fear of fire, most believe the risk is truly greater because Excel has not kept up with the hardening of transmission equipment (e.g., bury power lines, replace poles, manage vegetation and kindling buildups, etc.). Excel while excited to expand service in an out of control growth market, has been less enthusiastic about doing the maintenance.
Excel, through these PSPSs, may more realistically be seeking investor absolution. In the linked report pertaining to the Marshall fire, one of the "accidental" ignition sources for the fire was connected to Excel. Excel has agreed to pay $640 million to resolve a lawsuit. Such settlements don't impress investors, even if the costs of the legal action will ultimately be borne by the consumers of Colorado's special energy company. Of course the appropriate public safety action, if Excel really cared, is the preventive hardening of their transmission equipment. That obliged maintenance remains expensive, or at least more costly than PSPSs. Besides why would Excel let a good crisis go to waste?
So the new question is why would the State of Colorado and the PUC (Public Utility Commission) overseeing Excel allow negligence to continue? Maybe the special treatment for Excel is similar to the political complicity with some in and/or connected with the Somali community in Minnesota. Authorities in Minnesota don't respect, but they fear this created alliance that now excludes NBFs (Norwegian Bachelor Farmers). Colorado plans to be carbon free and authorities are fearfully and complicitly vested in Excel.
Prognostications - 2026 and Beyond
Here's some predictions (two gimmes and one stretch guess) for the future. It is that time of year after all.
- Distrust in government and government programs/projects will continue to increase exponentially due to demonstrated and chronic incompetence and graft.
- The political party making the greatest gains in coming years will be the "Independents". Democrats will be frustrated at the public's loss of trust and credibility. But why would anyone with a brain believe Democrats who so boldly lied about Biden? Republicans will be frustrated that the public doesn't respect them. But how can there be respect especially on any moral basis, when the leader of the party is so pompous and self absorbed? Too bad the Independents aren't organized. Well, the Democrats and Republicans aren't organized either so who knows.
- Governor Jared Polis will run for president in 2028 and outshine most of the Democrats currently thought to be contenders. Polis is smart, experienced, poised and well spoken. Well, if he's really wise he will avoid the DC Circus. Like Josh Shapiro, Polis is fortunate to not have been selected or endorsed by Kamala Harris.
Concurrent with the December PSPSs, the Governor of Colorado has resolved to eliminate carbon based fuel sources, like natural gas, sooner than planned.
Governor Polis likely didn't know Excel was going to intentionally shutdown electricity coincidental to his renewed and even more resolute resolution. Since natural gas kept many homes warm when there was no electricity during the PSPSs, removal of this fairly clean burning alternative energy source eroded an opportunity to virtue signal. That's too bad. However, with a company like Excel a complicit approach is no guarantee for collaboration.
Previous Rasmussen reporter news and updates
December 2025 - WINNER, WINNER
November 2025 - I SEE SAINTS
October 2025 - SQUANDER
September 2025 - YOU CAN'T GET THERE
August 2025 - GREATEST SHOWMAN
July 2025 - DEM BONES, DEM BONES
June 2025 - SPRING TIME IN THE ROCKIES
May 2025 - HEROES
April 2025 - GOOD PEOPLE TOO
March 2025 - BACK HOME AGAIN
February 2025 - I BEG YOUR PARDON
January 2025 - WONDROUS
David and LyNette with view of the city from the top of an ice-free Mount Cutler