Blood is Not the Color of Colorado

Does it really take me as long to settle in back home as it did to get ready to go away?  My mother taught me right, so all my laundry was done toot suite, other articles of clothing and shoes put in their respective places.  But I've yet to unpack my health and beauty bag - it stares at me every time I enter the loo -  and my writers box is acting as a catchall for my mail accumulation.

I really did cry when I crossed the line that demarcates New Mexico from Colorado.  'Hasta la Vista' proclaimed the bright yellow sign hanging from the underbelly of a bridge on I25.  The 'Welcome to Colorful Colorado' sign that met me moments later is always a laugh to me.  Brown wood with plain white writing proclaiming we are a colorful state.  Mmm...

But the news upon my return is solemn.  We have lost three sheriff deputies in 37 days.  One from Douglas County, very close to where I stay in South Suburban Denver.  My area was on lockdown that fateful morning with a reverse 911 shelter in place message.  While I was in New Mexico a deputy lost his life in Adams County, also on the front range.  And just this week an El Paso county deputy was senselessly slain in the line of duty.  These selfless public servants were each killed while fulfilling their promises to serve and protect us - the general public.  

As I mosey around town to go to the gym or the supermarket, I notice that the flags, Colorado  state and American are flying at half staff.  And each time I pass this silent testament to the ultimate sacrifice tears well up, my heart beats a bit faster.  How can I casually resume my life when three good men are dead, and their families are grieving?  What is it about the human brain that allows me to compartmentalize my emotions and continue with my activities, even when I am sad.  And mad.  Livid that thugs are taking over my beloved Colorado.  Angry that our population explosion has brought with it many negatives, including crime.  Gun crime.  Senseless crime.

I won't start a gun control debate here.  The issues are many and I am not even sure how I feel at this point in time.  Should I carry a weapon with me at all times because lawless psychopaths abound?  Should I contact my legislators and demand better, more thorough background checks?  Should our communities be providing the absolute latest technology in body armor to our law enforcement?  Will a state that is historically opposed to raising taxes allow money to be spent to protect those who protect us?  Is the right of an individual to bear arms more important than protecting police?  Children?  Theater goers?  Church worshippers?  Shoppers?  Marathoners?

Yes, this is a colorful state.  We are blessed with blue skies, white snowcapped peaks, blue spruces.  But the color of the red blood spilled by our law enforcement is ruining our state.  The color of hate and crime and drugs is sullying the formerly majestic view.  

I am a Cop Mom.  I support those who wear a badge, put on their Kevlar and brave the streets.  I think every man and woman has the right to return home every night.  Every single LEO*, every single night.

Welcome to Colorful Colorado should always bring us joy.  Not tears, not half-staff patriotism, not funerals.  We can do better than that.

Time to Write,

Jane

*LEO -Law Enforcement Officer