Ah, wilderness — the chirping of birds, the burbling of creeks, the melodic chime announcing that new mail has just arrived in your inbox. Yep, that’s right — or it will be if the Colorado Department of Natural Resources has its way. In an effort to boost revenue in the middle of a massive budget shortfall, the DNR plans to make electrical outlets and Internet access available at parks around the state. (The state would make money by charging more for wired campgrounds or cabins.) The plan met with reactions ranging from amusement to disbelief when it was unveiled by DNR Director Greg Walcher earlier this week. Pete Kolbenschlag of Colorado Environmental Coalition said, “I have no idea if they’ve done polling that shows people want the Internet while they’re camping. I certainly don’t run across those people when I’m camping. It seems kind of strange to me.”
