2003 Mile High Hedgehog Show was held in Denver.  IT was the first of the Colorado shows I had the opportunity to attend. travelling from southern Maryland with three gals representing the Homeward Bound Hedgies rescue gang.  Somewhere in mid Kansas, Maikaya escaped from her carrier.  I was alerted to this only through the fact of a cold wet nose sniffing at my foot (in sandals) as I cruised I-70.  Greeted by Su at the hotel, we were able to round up the gals and settle them into the hotel room no worse for the wear.  Then almost as rapidly as I'd driven in, I was being transported out again!  One of the events that drew me to this show as a side trip to Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.  Active in rescue and interest in veterinary medicine made this experience a highlight of the trip.  Another highlight was a visit to the Flash & Thelma Memorial Hedgehog Rescue, founded and housed on the property of Z.G. Standing Bear.  His home had everything my dream home had PLUS the hedgie rescue!  IT was wonderful to finally see the ser-up and routine of such an operation.  My own rescue totaled a mere 22 hedgehogs at it's peak.  Perhaps I should mention here that the sharing of information among fellow rescuers and hedgehog caregivers in impromptu chats throughout shows is also a point of attraction.  Much can be gained in conversation and oft times mini "demos".
2005 Mile High Hedgehog Show was held a the Clarion Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs.  I fell in love with it immediately and the show gave me an opportunity to visit a favorite spot from my first visit-Garden of the Gods, a splendidly beautiful nature park with amazing limestone formations.  The show itself was chocked full, as always, with informative and fun speaking events, hedgehog athletic activities, a superb banquet and very moving Rainbow Bridge ceremony.

In November 2006 I found myself relocating to Colorado and was invited to join the planning committee for future shows in the state.  I also learned of yet another name change.  AS the show was being alternated between Denver, the Mile High City, and Colorado Springs, with always a chance of adding other locations for future shows, it was decided a change to Rocky Mountain Hedgehog Show would be more correctly suitable.  Thus 2007 Rocky Mountain Hedgehog Show was held in Denver with all the grandeur of past shows..  A true highlight of this event was guest speaker Hugh Warwick from the UK and a very active catalyst to stop the culling of the Uist Island hedgies.  I doubt many of us attending would have opportunity to travel to the UK to meet and speak with Hugh.  His presence was delightful, informative and educational, with a dash of humor throughout.
At this printing, plans are still underway for the next show, 2009 Rocky Mountain Hedgehog Show.  It will again be held at the Clarion Hotel in Colorado Springs over the first weekend in October.  Those who attended our last at that location will be pleasantly surprised at the changes and up-grades of the facility.  Clarion has merged with Quality Inn, reduced the total number of rooms in order to expand room sizes and convert one half of the facility into luxurious suites.  The staff is 100% excited to have us, all hedgie human and the hedgies, back to their facility and support our event.  One staff member expressed to me, "I can't wait to see all the hedgehogs in their balls running in our hallways!"  Can it get any better than that?!  Well, actually, yes.  We will not let you down with a host of events and activities.  We will have two IHA sanctioned judged events, silent and live auctions, banquet, and Rainbow Bridge memorial ceremony.  Speakers will talk on IHA show point system and Permanent Grand Champion status, hedgehog registry, and a wheel making workshop, just to name a few.  AS the show is scheduled a bit earlier in the month than past, you should be able to experience the aspens in their gold.  Outside of the show, there is a host of sites to visit and socialize.  Begin your plans now! I hope to see you in October!