[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H9908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BOULDER COUNTY

  (Mr. GARDNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 150th anniversary of 
Boulder County, Colorado.
  Boulder County is one of 17 Colorado counties officially created in 
1861 by the Territory Assembly.
  In the mid-1800s, settlers began flocking to Boulder County because 
of the robust and profitable mining sector. Local businesses were 
created to support the growing number of new miners to the area.
  The original founders of Boulder had more aspirations than to just be 
a simple Colorado mining town. Residents pushed strongly in the 
Territorial Assembly to have the State university located in the 
region.
  In 1877, 1 year after Colorado was admitted to the United States, the 
University of Colorado--the State's first university--opened its doors. 
From its early status as a college town and mining community, Boulder 
County has expanded, with a population now reaching over 300,000 
people. The picturesque scenery and outdoor lifestyle has allowed this 
county to grow significantly over the past 150 years.
  Aside from the University of Colorado, Boulder County boasts an 
excellent technology sector, numerous small businesses, and countless 
microbreweries. One of my personal favorites is Oskar Blues Brewing 
Company in Longmont, Colorado. This region of Colorado continues to 
rate high in national polls for overall health and well-being, and is 
rated as one of the best places to raise a family in the country.
  Boulder County is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. It's known for 
its tremendous outdoor recreation. From skiing, hiking, fishing, 
hunting, and biking--just to name a few--Boulder is an outdoorsman's 
town. It is my honor to recognize the 150th anniversary of Boulder 
County on the House floor.

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