Bustang and RTD Offer Affordable Denver Airport Travel

What's the best way to travel to Denver Airport without breaking the bank or dealing with traffic? For Peggy Steldt of Carbondale, the answer is Bustang and the RTD. In a letter to the editor, Steldt shared her positive experience using the bus service to access the airport, citing its ease of use and affordability - $21 for a senior citizen ticket, and $1.35 for a discounted 3-hour RTD pass. For context, that's less than the cost of a tank of gas for a round trip from Carbondale to Denver.

Steldt's trip on Bustang allowed her to play tourist and take in the sights along the way, with multiple daily departures and a convenient drop-off location at Union Station in Denver. From there, it was a straightforward process to catch the RTD train to the airport. Let's do the math: with the cost of gas, tolls, and parking, driving can easily exceed $50. In contrast, Steldt's bus fare was a fraction of that cost.

On paper, this sounds like a great option for locals who need airport transportation. In practice, it's even more appealing, given the traffic and parking headaches that come with driving. Steldt encourages others to try the service, noting that there are many departure times to choose from. For folks around here, using Bustang could significantly reduce the hassle and expense of traveling to Denver.

Meanwhile, Maria Maniscalchi of Glenwood Springs is thinking about water conservation, one glass at a time. In her letter to the editor, Maniscalchi suggests that local restaurants consider offering water only upon request, rather than automatically serving it to every guest. This small shift, she argues, could help conserve a precious resource without diminishing the guest experience.

Maniscalchi's proposal is rooted in her respect for the local restaurant community and her desire to promote water conservation in the drought-prone Roaring Fork Valley. For context, the valley's water usage is a critical issue, with many residents and businesses already taking steps to reduce their consumption. By making this small change, restaurants can contribute to a larger effort to protect the region's water resources.

On the surface, this might seem like a minor adjustment, but it's part of a larger conversation about how we use and conserve water in our community. Let's consider the bigger picture: if every restaurant in the valley adopted this practice, the cumulative impact could be significant. It's a small step, but one that reflects the values of a community that's deeply connected to the natural environment.

In a different vein, a letter from a local resident expresses concern about the state of the country, citing the recent firing of all 24 members of the National Science Board. The writer's tone is one of alarm and dismay, suggesting that this move is a harbinger of darker times to come. While this issue may seem unrelated to the local focus of the other two letters, it's a reminder that national events can have a profound impact on our community and our way of life.

For locals, the practical bottom line is this: if you need to travel to the airport, consider using Bustang and the RTD. It's a cost-effective and relatively hassle-free option that's worth exploring. And if you're a restaurant owner or employee, think about how you can contribute to water conservation efforts, even if it's just by making a small change to your service routine. These may seem like minor issues, but they're part of a larger conversation about how we live, work, and travel in our community.