Six western states are suffering the devastation of the western pine beetle. The nation yearns for jobs. Why, then, has there been no effort to establish CCC camps like those of the Depression era to clean up and restore our forests? Our leaders are thinking too small. Here is a great challenge for a great nation. Here is a golden opportunity to provide jobs and to teach needed skills for today's American economy. There isn't enough money? Garbage! If we can find funds for unemployment checks, needed though they certainly are, we can do this. All we lack is vision (hello Mr. President? Hello Congress?) and the will.

Preparing a rising generation of drop-outs for jobs like the health care and technology industries, while reducing the risk of massive fire destruction to communities large and small is clearly a win-win. Renewing our forests serves this generation and the generations to come. It's so incredibly possible and would be such a boon for two of Colorado's natural resources: its forests and its job seekers.