The Denver Post
Colorado kids have a birthright to camp out under the stars, play in creeks and stand atop the state's mighty mountains.
Those are few of the guarantees Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien listed today in a "Colorado Kids' Outdoor Bill of Rights."
O'Brien said the list was created to bring awareness to getting increasingly sedentary kids more active and to remind them of the state's natural riches, which they must both respect and protect.
Appearing at a news conference at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, O'Brien, a Democrat, said children today spend half the time outdoors that children 20 years ago did. Meanwhile, obesity rates have doubled.
"They're playing video games and watching TV," she said. "They're not getting outside."
Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien, announcing the creation of a Colorado Kids' Outdoor Bill of Rights, Wednesday, July 15, 2009. (THE DENVER POST |JUDY DEHAAS)and strengthening their bodies and learning about the environment." | |
According to the list of guarantees, every Coloradan, before they grow up, has a right to:
- Camp out under the stars.
- Follow a trail.
- Play in a creek or river.
- Experience the wonders of Colorado's four seasons.
- Visit a working farm or ranch.
- Enjoy the view from the top of a mountain.
- Identify Colorado's official state wildlife and plants in their natural habitat.
- Explore one of Colorado's dozens of local, state and national parks.
- Play in the dirt and learn about the world from the ground up.
- Plant a seed for other Colorado kids to enjoy in the future.
