As the saying goes: “Everything old is new again.” This is particularly true when it comes to style trends, including home design.
The looks of the past can provide endless inspiration for homes today, and you don’t have to choose just one era or approach. You can mix and match trends from multiple decades and interior design styles.
Are you looking to give your home decor a refresh? Here are some design elements from the past that might interest you.

• 1950s: The ‘50s were all about vibrant colors, modernity and bold patterns. Design elements like checkered flooring, painted cabinets or a ball clock can all be fun ways to liven up a space today.
• 1960s: In the 1960s, shag carpets and plastic furniture became popular. Another way to emulate ‘60s style is by using reds, oranges, yellows and greens around the house.
• 1970s: An easygoing vibe defined the 1970s, which introduced us to the conversation pit. Natural materials like wood and rattan were big, and there was a focus on earthy tones. These can all mesh well with today’s trend toward biophilic design and social spaces in the home.
• 1980s: Wallpaper was huge in the 1980s, as were chintz and pastel colors. If you’re looking for a way to add visual interest to a space, any one of these trends is an option.
• 1990s: The ‘90s saw a rise in minimalism, but competing design elements could also be found in wallpaper borders and patterned rugs. Layering rugs is a recent design trend that could harken back to this time.
• 2000s: The shabby chic aesthetic emerged in the 2000s, along with more neutral and understated color schemes. To incorporate these looks, think whitewashed wood and romantic hues for furniture and paint.

One of the best parts of homeownership is being able to customize your living space to fit your tastes.

Why are people bitten and what is the result?
Rattlesnakes have an elaborate defensive strategy, seeking to avoid the need for a venomous bite if possible. Most of the time, rattlesnakes will not strike at people unless they feel threatened or are deliberately provoked.

Awareness and Avoidance
The best way to avoid dangerous encounters with any wildlife is awareness and avoidance. Always be aware of your surroundings using your eyes and ears, and avoid wildlife that you see or hear.

• Watch for snakes basking in open, sunny areas such as pavements, rocks, trails or roads. It is acceptable to walk off trail to avoid them. 
• Watch where you place your hands and feet at all times, watching for areas such as rocks or logs that could be sheltering a rattlesnake.
• Do not hike with headphones or earbuds in so you can listen for a rattlesnake's distinctive rattle.
• Protect your feet and ankles as they are usually closest to rattlesnakes. Sturdy leather boots afford good protection; do not hike in sandals or flip flops.
• Use extra caution around dusk when human visibility drops. Use a light and be sure to wear boots, even in camp. 
• Travel in groups. More people means more opportunities to see or hear a snake and more people to call emergency services in the event of a bite.

What to do if a snake is encountered
If an encounter with a snake is unavoidable, take these precautions to stay safe:

• Freeze in place. Snakes are often heard before they are seen. If you hear a rattlesnake, FREEZE in place until you or a companion can locate the animal. Attempting to move away from a snake you can’t see may lead you closer to it! Even if the snake is in plain view, freezing movement will reduce the threat you pose to the snake and help you calmly assess the situation.
• Establish space between you and the snake as they can strike from a long distance. A good rule of thumb is to put at least five feet between yourself and the snake. If possible, move slowly back the way you came.
• Leave the snake alone. NEVER, under any circumstances, should you try to catch, kill, provoke or move a rattlesnake. One-third of people who suffer snake bites were bitten as a result of trying to handle or kill the snake. Move around the rattlesnake at a safe distance out of its way.
• If you find a snake in your home or garage, call your local wildlife office for directions. In urban areas, many pest control companies can remove them for you.

Keeping your pets safe
The best way to keep your pets safe from rattlesnakes is to keep them on a six-foot leash as required on most public lands in Colorado. Dogs in particular are known to be very curious animals that ignore a snake's defensive posturing. 

Learn more HERE

Just a reminder - should you have questions or concerns about the ongoing fiber network installation project - please contact the appropriate company representative.

Deb Walker, Regional Community Engagement and Public Affairs Manager [Ting]
 [email protected]

David Stewart, Field Supervisor [MetroNet] 
[email protected]

PCVA residents can also visit CSU's Fiber Network page at https://www.csu.org/Pages/Fiber.aspx for additional information pertaining to the fiber-optic install project. For questions, residents can call the Customer Service Center at (719) 448-4800.

Paying off your mortgage early could save you money on interest paid over the life of the loan. It can also free up money to put toward other goals, like saving for retirement.
Despite these perks, though, prepaying a mortgage isn’t right for everyone, and there may be some downsides to this strategy.

​Are you thinking of paying off your mortgage early? Check out some pros and cons to consider before you do.

Pros:

• You’ll pay significantly less interest. You could potentially save thousands of dollars by minimizing the interest you pay during the loan term.
• You’ll get rid of monthly mortgage payments. Not having a large monthly payment could lighten the financial pressure on your household. 
• You’ll free up funds for other goals. You may be able to put more toward retirement, your kids’ college accounts, your emergency fund or even your next vacation.

Cons:

• There may be prepayment penalties. Be sure to read the fine print to see if your lender charges fees for paying your mortgage off early.
• You’ll lose the mortgage interest tax deduction. Keep in mind that you only get this write-off if you itemize your returns, but it only lasts as long as you’re paying your mortgage (and the interest that comes with it).
• Investing may net you more profit. The stock market typically offers returns of about 10% annually. Mortgage rates are lower than that currently, so you may be able to make more from investing than you’d save by prepaying.