DENVER (KDVR) — In Colorado, there are many unspoken but well-known rules in the state. Like the origin of Rocky Mountain oysters, there are just some things Coloradans don’t talk about.
Why Coloradans call this dish Rocky Mountain oysters
FOX31 asked its viewers on Facebook: “What are some unwritten Colorado rules?” After sorting through over 300 comments, there are a few common themes that many people seem to agree on.
These are unwritten rules in Colorado
Here’s a list of unwritten rules – finally written down – for people new to the state.
It’s called the Mile High Stadium, the Northside and the mousetrap
Many viewers commented that official names are often not what they’re actually known by. For example, many said that Empower Field at Mile High where the Denver Broncos play is known as the Mile High Stadium.
Why the interchange of I-70, I-25 in Denver is called the ‘mousetrap’
Meanwhile, others said that you should call the Highlands neighborhood the Northside and the area by Interstate 70 and Interstate 25 the “mousetrap.”
The mountains are used instead of directions
Many people use the mountains outside of Denver as directions.
“We don’t know north, east, south or west…. We just look for the mountains,” one viewer said on Facebook.
Learn proper etiquette in wildlife
You’re bound to be in the mountains in Colorado, and there are still manners in the wild, such as trail etiquette, like not playing loud music on a hike and leaving the wildlife alone.
“An Elk doesn’t want to take a selfie with you,” said one viewer.
Leave no trace: Don’t carve into Aspen trees in Colorado
Viewers also mentioned that people shouldn’t carve into trees and “leave no trace” which means bringing what they packed into the hike out with them. This includes doggy bags.
Keep your Christmas lights up
There will be many houses that keep Christmas lights up far past the holiday. This is because of the Stock Show. It’s acceptable, and encouraged, to leave your lights up through January if you live in Colorado. It’s one of the state’s long-standing traditions.
Why you should keep your Christmas lights up through the end of January
Beware of the elevation
Elevation is a “thing” in Colorado, and many people recommended bringing chapstick, sunscreen, a water bottle and layers.
“You should take warm clothes if you are going up to the mountains no matter what time of year it is,” one viewer said on Facebook.
Red lights are “optional”
Many viewers made fun of drivers in Denver. While they (at least some) don’t recommend blowing through lights and stop signs, viewers said this seems to be a norm in Denver.
“A minimum of 3 cars are allowed through a stoplight once it turns red,” said one viewer.
“Be slow because 1.2 or 3 cars could be going thru the red light,” said another.
“Red lights and stop signs appear to be optional in CO,” one viewer commented.
Don’t talk about Rocky Mountain Oysters
Colorado’s dish known as Rocky Mountain oysters are called land oysters for a reason. They started years and years ago when cowboys castrated calves and didn’t want to waste the leftover meat. But they’re called Rocky Mountain oysters instead of “bull testicles” because there are some rules in the state you just shouldn’t talk about.
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