Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Colorado brings in snow for St. Patrick's Day event
By Stephanie Olsen
Colorado Daily (U. Colorado)
03/17/2006

(U-WIRE) BOULDER, Colo. — Boulder can always use more snow and University Hill is taking care of it.

Friday afternoon, a semi truck full of snow from Winter Park is driving to the Hill and dumping 45 cubic yards of the white stuff onto 13th Street, at which point the University of Colorado-Boulder Snowboard Team will go to work setting up ramps and rails for The SoBe Heavy Metal on the Hill, a "sick" event known to most as "Rail Jam."

So, one might say "let the games begin" and watch the Hill business district reap the benefits.

"We picked the Hill so we could involve a lot more students from the Hill community," said Kris Schoech, director of club sports at CU, who is organizing the event with the CU Snowboarding Team.

At the onset, Hill merchants and residents had concerns about the event being held on St. Patrick's Day, a holiday known for over-indulgence in alcoholic beverages, but Schoech said the event is intended to give students an alternative to drinking.

"This gives the students and the community members an opportunity to view an event in a non-alcoholic environment," he said.

Schoech also recognizes that the Hill business district is "struggling," and said he wants to help promote the area.

"This is our chance to kind of revitalize the Hill, and we think events such as this will help the Hill and the Hill merchants," Schoech said. "Even if it's only for one day, we think it'll really help the Hill and the environment up there."

Schoech said approximately 2,500 to 3,500 people will visit the Hill throughout the night, and Hill merchants are hoping for the best.

"I think above all it's nice PR for the Hill to have events up here and remind people of the unique stores and restaurants that we have," said Leah Winski, treasurer for the Hill Alliance, a group of Hill stakeholders that promotes Hill vitality. "I think it's just a nice reminder to people who maybe forget to come up to the Hill."

She said everyone is hoping for a good day.

"Hopefully it'll be great for business," said Winski. "I think everyone could use a little boost."

Jay Epstein, co-owner of Mamacita's Mexican restaurant on the Hill, said events are great for short-term economic benefits, but there aren't enough places on the Hill to keep people coming back.

"I think events like that for sure help bring people back up here and help them realize that there is some stuff to do up here," he said. "There's just not much to come back to at this point."

Jan Otto, a Hill resident, said the event should benefit Hill merchants, but he is concerned about bringing in thousands of younger people to the Hill in one night.

Even so, he said he's not expecting any problems.

"I expect this to be a manageable event for the neighborhood," he said.

There were thoughts of dyeing the snow green on honor of St. Patrick's Day, but to no avail.

"I don't know if there's enough dye!" said Schoech.

So the Hill will settle for white snow and sit back to watch some crazy tricks.

And don't forget to buy a slice of pizza, a sub, a burrito, a burger or a beer (if you're over 21).

"We want the vendors on the hill to benefit from this event," said Schoech. "A couple of years ago when we held this event it took me an hour to get a piece of pizza, so I know the vendors are doing very well between the hours of 5 (p.m.) and 10 (p.m.)."

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