One of the biggest debates I see, as a resident of Colorado, is the natives vs transplants debate. Now, I preface by saying that I moved here BEFORE the legalization of marijuana in this state.
The native's argument on this is quite understandable, in a whole lot of ways. They are frustrated that people come here in droves for the marijuana and now, housing is way overpriced (this is the biggest argument I've heard and I truly agree with it). They are frustrated that people come here and try to change the culture instead of embracing and adapting to it. They are frustrated that transplants come here and litter our beautiful trails, destroy our beautiful surroundings and seem to have no appreciation whatsoever for the beauty around them. They are frustrated that transplants don't pay attention to the signs on nature trails and pollute our lakes. They are frustrated that the traffic is so bad now, as it never used to be this way. They have a simple message: We're full.
The transplants have varied arguments. Those that have come here for the pot seem to stick to the "well none of YOU are actually true natives unless you're Native Americans whose families have been here forever." Okay, that's a semantics argument and, frankly, it's just dumb. You know what the natives are talking about. Those that came here and are trying to change things either say, "Well change happens...deal with it or leave" (which is a real jackass thing to say...that's like coming into someone's home and saying that if they don't like you throwing your trash everywhere, leave) or "Well YOU guys litter and destroy the parks too." Realistically, true Coloradans (for the most part) have incredible appreciation for their surroundings and they don't do that....at all.
Those of us (transplants) that came here for good reasons don't argue. We attempt to sympathize with you. We understand how much it must frustrate you. We have adapted to YOUR ways and not expected this beautiful state to adapt to us. We pick up the trash of the transplants that throw it everywhere. We do our best to take care of this beautiful state and appreciate every morning's incredible sunrise. We know that we are guests, even if we've been here for years and years. We listen to your frustrations because we know that most of you aren't aiming them at people like us; you're aiming them at the jackasses who come here and try to make this state just like California or whatever other state they're trying to change it to. We are trying to earn our place in this beautiful place and show you that we are here to improve and not to take anything away.
So take a moment and try to see the other side of the argument. Believe me, those of us that are transplants who are here for the right reason are just as angry at the jackasses who are spoiling our parks and destroying our beautiful state. We don't take their side. In fact, we may actually be harder on them than natives are because we are angry that we are being lumped in with these jackasses. We're more concerned with them getting it together or getting the hell out of this state than some of the natives are.
My closing statement would be this: Natives, please know that some of us are attempting to improve and maintain and not to change. Please know that some of us understand how frustrating it must be to accept new people coming in and changing things and that we don't want things to change either...we want this beautiful state to stay exactly as it is. We love your state and appreciate those that welcome us and know that we are not the bad guys.
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