In Denver the TSA sells ad space in the Xray bins.  Now more airports may adopt this practice.  I’ve never really noticed the ads because I’m always busy tossing my shoes and carryon ON TOP of the ads.     Currently most ads in the Denver bins are for Zappos.com shoes.  Maybe I’ll print up some FutureGringo.com stickers for the bins lacking visual clutter.

The L.A. Times / AP reports on rail travel around the U.S., and notes a proposed midwest hub and spoke system based in Chicago and servicing regional cities.  I honestly don’t see any major projects taking shape soon without privatization.  (For example the Anaheim – Las Vegas project.)  However with the new administration perhaps regional transit will move up the priorities pile.   Being hundreds of miles from another large city it will be the far future before Denver sees any high speed rail links - which is ok as its more important to connect cities within 200-300 miles that require a long drive but are impractical to fly.  I would love to be able to fly to Chicago, hop downtown and take a train over to Grand Rapids or Milwaukee.   Provided there are well coordinated airport transfers for those flying in this would be a wonderful thing.

Speaking of the remote west – N.Y. Time’s Kirk Johnson looks at Denver and Cheyenne, their history, and new economic ties.  I always enjoy reading an outsider’s view of the Front Range.  I would guess most Coloradans still consider Cheyenne a completely different animal than Denver and Fort Collins – and Cheyenne folks reciprocate the same thoughts.  Its still a 40 mile windy drive from Fort Collins to Cheyenne, but now that the land between Denver and Fort Collins is almost completely saturated with development the only direction to grow may be north.  And with the new technology projects this article lists we may find more people commuting between Cheyenne and Northern Colorado. For the record I love Wyoming and hope it remains the way it is.

CU’s Campus Press reports on ski resort sustainibility, and how small projects may have a large impace: Wind towers atop peaks, organic food at restaurants, and newer snowmobiles to reduce pollution are among new green ideas.

Among various deals listed in the NY Daily News Travel Section is a Spa Weekend at the Cherry Creek Marriot.  Its good through March 31st, so plan ahead for Valentine’s Day and save up $339 for your special someone.

For iPhone owners:  This case is a steal at $2.99.

Ben Gerig from the local Washington Park Profile analyzes Denver’s bicycling program, comparing it to  Chicago and some smaller Colorado cities. I personally don’t see the city’s circumstances quite as dire as he writes.  I think Denver is a great biking city, but he has some good points for improvements nonetheless.