MR. GIBBS GOES TO WASHINGTON

State Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, right, is doing all right for a freshman legislator, having been invited to the nation's Capitol to testify March 27 at a House Committee on Natural Resources hearing titled "Access Denied: The Growing Conflict Between Fishing, Hunting and Energy Development on Federal Lands."

The reason for the invite: Gibbs' House Bill 1298, which aims to minimize adverse effects on wildlife resources stemming from oil and gas drilling operations. Congressman Nick J. Rahall, D-W.Va., chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, thinks Gibbs' bill could be a model for federal legislation.

Let's just hope Gibbs doesn't have to hold the floor in Washington as long as Jimmy Stewart did back in 1939 while portraying Congress- man Jefferson Smith.

USE THE FORCE, LUKE

The U.S. Postal Service has gone Hollywood, having installed 400 collection boxes nationwide modeled on the Star Wars robotic character R2-D2.

It's part of a mysterious joint venture with Lucasfilm Ltd., the full monty of which will be revealed March 28.

R2-D2 boxes can be seen in Denver at 900 Auraria Parkway and at 299 Fillmore St.

ROCKY FLASHBACK

10 years ago

• Drought drives up hay prices

Last year's drought in southern Colorado has driven up hay prices, leading to a shortage in the area, local ranchers said. Cathy Lewis, a horse breeder, said hay prices on the Western Slope usually run between $90 and $100 per ton, but this winter are running as high as $155 per ton.