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General Surgery Residency Program
Sponsored by
NEWCOMERS GUIDE
2015-2016
FOR RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
LAKEWOOD, COLORADO

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The information contained in this guide was obtained from numerous sources and is meant to provide
helpful information. Residents and their families may use this guide at their own discretion. None of
the information should be considered mandatory or required.

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Red Rocks
Amphitheater
– west of Denver
“The best vacations are close to home, luckily your home is Colorado” –
www.colorado.com.
Welcome to Colorado! It is true that Colorado is thought of by most
outsiders only as a vacation destination. However, it is a great state to live
in. Whether you are into winter sports, summer sports, or just watching
sports, Colorado has it all. With 7 resorts within 2
hours of Denver, you can ski, snowboard,
snowshoe, dog sled and anything else you can think
to do during the winter. But, they aren’t just winter-
time resorts! Open year-long, you can also hike,
fish, bike, ride ATVs, shop or relax and enjoy the
beautiful seasons. While the eastern plains are
better known for farming and agriculture, Denver IS
the gateway to the Rockies. If you love the
outdoors, you will love living in Denver.
Colorado isn’t just for outdoorsman though. Denver
hosts over 40 museums from the world-renowned
Denver Art Museum to the Molly Brown House to
the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center – there is
at least one museum for every interest. You can
tour the great houses on Capital Hill (there’s even
a haunted house tour in the fall). You can have high
tea in a quaint restaurant in Golden or tour the Coors
Brewery if that is more to your taste.
Speaking of breweries, according to local legend,
Denvers’ first permanent structure was a saloon.
Colorado is currently home to over 161 brewpubs and
breweries (3 of these are wholesalers). In 2012,
Colorado ranked 3
rd
in the nation for the number of
craft breweries according to the Brewers Association.
Denver has been nicknamed, “the Napa Valley of beer.”
But, perhaps wine is more to your taste? Colorado is also
home to over 100 wineries. According to ColoradoWine.com,
our majestic Rocky Mountain valleys are blessed with
warm days, cool nights and low humidity – perfect
conditions for the cultivation of wine grapes with the
complex character and chemistry required to produce
award-winning wines.
Denver is, disputably, the entertainment capital of
Colorado. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
hosts award-winning Broadway plays, the Colorado
Ballet, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Opera
Colorado, comedians and other entertainers, as well as
local productions. Denver has a wide variety of venues for musical artists and performers from the Pepsi
Center and Red Rocks Amphitheater to smaller venues such as the Filmore and Paramount theaters.
For movie buffs, there is the Denver Movie Festival and the highly regarded Telluride Film Festival.
Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs
Capital Building –
downtown Denver
Cache la Poudre Pass –
Rocky Mountain
National Park
Copper Mountain Resort –
view from the top!
Coors Field –
downtown
Denver

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Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION ..............................................................................................................................5
WHERE TO LIVE? ...........................................................................................................................................6
UTILITIES........................................................................................................................................................7
DRIVER’S LICENSE..........................................................................................................................................8
VEHICLE REGISTRATION (Colorado plates/tags)...........................................................................................8
VOTER REGISTRATION...................................................................................................................................8
COLORADO LAWS..........................................................................................................................................9
MARIJUANA.................................................................................................................................................10
ALTITUDE SICKNESS ....................................................................................................................................10
ACRONYMS, NICKNAME& ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................14

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GENERAL INFORMATION
Government
www.colorado.gov – Official website for the Colorado state
government. Includes information on occupational licensing,
drivers’ license services, state agencies, taxes, etc.
www.denvergov.org – Government information and news for
the city and county of Denver. Includes elected officials, safety, emergency preparedness,
neighborhoods, employment, etc.
www.lakewood.org – official community and government information for the city of Lakewood, CO
(where St Anthony Hospital is located) – a suburb of Denver. With information on licenses & permits,
parks and recreation, and events and performances.
www.jeffco.us – official site for Jefferson County (the county which Lakewood resides in). The fourth
most populated county in Colorado, Jefferson County is located along the ‘front range’ (the leading edge
of the Rocky Mountains) of the Denver Metro area. County services include: Sheriffs offices, motor
vehicle tags/registration, property taxes, voting and registration, parks and recreation. Jefferson County
has 28 parks without entry fees with nearly 230 miles of trails – some of the most beautiful parks and
trails you will find in Colorado within minutes of your home.
www.colorado.com – Colorado Live, Work &
Play! Includes things to do, festivals and
events, descriptions of Colorado regions and
cities, hotels and lodging, trip ideas and
special offers.

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WHERE TO LIVE?
The Denver Metro area is over 155 square miles with a population of over 630,000. Besides Denver,
there are at least 14 suburban cities. You can live on the plains, on a ranch, in a high-rise loft in the
middle of the city, in the mountains or anywhere in between.
However, given the fact that you will be working in Lakewood for at least one year (hopefully longer) on
the west side of Denver, we highly recommend that you give careful consideration to how much of a
commute you are willing to undertake.
While on the map it appears that there are easy roadways to every area, this is not always the case. The
Denver metropolitan area has grown considerably over the past 25 years and our infrastructure
struggles to keep up. Your drive time
to the hospital relies on much more
than just the mileage in between the
two destinations.
Weather will play a large part in your
daily commute. ‘Snow days’ can turn
a 15 minute commute into an hour.
More routinely though, it is the
traffic itself which will determine
whether you will have to get up two
hours before a shift or just 30
minutes. In general, it is best to
avoid having to rely on I-25 or I-70
for your rush hour commutes.
Choosing to live west of I-25 and
south of I-70 should provide you with
the shortest commute times.
Statistics
City
Avg. Home Price
(2 bdrm/1 bath)
Avg. Rental Price
(2 bdrm/1 bath)
Average Utilities
(incl. energy, water
& garbage)
900 sq ft
Average
cable/internet/phone
costs
Denver $262,000 $1,567 $114 $99
Lakewood $257,000 $1,366 $114 $99
Arvada $280,800 $1,350 $114 $99
Littleton $313,700 $1,340 $114 $99
http://www.trulia.com/for_sale/Denver,CO/
www.zillow.com
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=United+States&city=Denver%2C+CO

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UTILITIES
Before moving into your new home, you should make arrangements with the following utility companies
for services.
Electricity & Gas
Xcel Energy (electricity & natural gas)
http://www.xcelenergy.com/Start,_Stop,_Transfer
1-800-895-4999
Water
Water is provided by multiple agencies throughout the area and is typically included in your rent. If you
are purchasing a home, your realtor will help you determine which company services your new home.
Garbage Collection & Recycling
This is also provided by private companies (not state, county or city agencies). There are a number of
companies to choose from. Once again, apartment communities typically include this in your monthly
payment or your realtor can help you if you are purchasing a home.
Household hazardous waste: some counties and municipalities conduct annual collections of household
hazardous wastes, while others have permanent collection facilities or sponsor curbside pickup
programs. Check out this website for further information:
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/household-hazardous-waste-collection-programs-0
The following items should NOT be disposed of in the trash:
Electronics: computers and computer monitors, televisions, printers, fax machines, DVD & VCR
planers, preipherals such as keyboards and mice, radios and sterios, video game consoles,
laptops, notebooks, ultrabooks, netbooks and tablets.
Paint: Latex and oil based paint
Cleaners and pesticides
Motor Oil and Antifreeze
Batteries
Fluorescent light bulbs
Cable, Internet and Telephone Service Providers
There are three major internet and television providers in the Denver Metro area:
Comcast® – www.Comcast.com (also provide home telephone service)
DISH® Network – www.DISH.com (they use CenturyLink as their internet provider)
DirectTV® - www.directvdeals.com (they offer a choice between CenturyLink, Verizon FiOS, or
AT&T for internet)

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DRIVER’S LICENSE
After becoming a Colorado resident, you have 30 days to transfer your driver’s license and 90 days to
register your vehicle.
If you have a valid driver’s license in your possession which was issued by another U.S. state, territory, or
possession, you will normally not be required to take the written exam or drive skills test. Driver’s
license employees have the responsibility to require a drive test if there is a problem with your physical
aptitude analysis or vision screening. Your valid out-of-state driver’s license will be used for
identification purposes and to waive testing requirements.
When visiting the driver’s license office, please bring the following:
1. Valid out of state driver’s license. If it does not display your full legal name (i.e. middle name
spelled out), bring your certified original state or county issued birth certificate, U.S. passport, or
military ID to confirm your identity.
2. Payment. $21.00 (cash or check – they do not take credit/debit cards)
3. Proof of address. Anything that shows your name and current residential address (bank
statement, utility bill, check book, vehicle registration, rent agreement, etc.)
Please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv/node/44456/ for more detailed information.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION (Colorado plates/tags)
Vehicles must be registered within 90 days after becoming a Colorado resident.
You will need:
 If the vehicle was titled in another state a VIN verification must be completed.
 Title assigned in owner’s name or current out of state registration
 Colorado drivers license, out-of-state issued photo driver license, or US passport (see
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/DR2841.pdf for entire list of “Secure
and Verifiable ID”
 Proof of Colorado Vehicle Emissions
 Proof of Insurance
 Payment (all counties accept cash/check, some accept credit cards – see
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv/registration-requirements for further details.
VOTER REGISTRATION
 All Colorado driver's license offices provide voter registration services. Once your voter
registration information is completed at the driver's license office, it is then forwarded to the
specific county where you live.
 Please note, however, that all Driver's License employees are prohibited from giving personal
opinions regarding voting information or party affiliation.

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COLORADO LAWS
DRIVING - GENERAL
 Right turn on Red – LEGAL unless posted otherwise
 U-Turns – ILLEGAL unless posted otherwise
 Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers at all times; children
under 8 years of age or 40 pounds must be in a child safety seat
 Colorado point system (driver license): you start out with a clean
record (0) and accumulate points each time you receive a traffic violation. Adult driver license
may be revoked if you accumulate:
o 12 points in any 12 consecutive months
o 18 points in any 24 consecutive months
 No cell phone (includes texting) use while driving unless it is to contact 911
 “Move Over Law” - When passing a stopped emergency or law-enforcement vehicle with its
flashing lights on, you must either vacate the closest lane, or significantly reduce your speed (20
mph lower than posted limit).
MOUNTAIN DRIVING: Mountain driving can be very different from normal driving conditions. Some
hazards you should be aware of are steep hills, changing weather, wildlife, and rocks in the roadway.
If your vehicle experiences difficulty traveling up steep roadways, pull off the road at the first place
you may do so safely, or stay in the right lane to allow other vehicles to pass.
Helpful tips:
• Pay special attention to speed limit signs and warning signs, such as those warning of curves,
steep hills or other hazards.
• Watch for bicyclists near the right side of the road.
• Use a lower gear to control speeds while going up or down long, steep hills.
• You must yield to vehicles going uphill if you are traveling downhill on a narrow road.
• Do not coast downhill by shifting into neutral or disengaging the clutch.
BICYCLES AND MOTORCYCLES: Motorists must be on the lookout for cyclists and anticipate sudden
and unexpected moves from them. A “Share the Road” attitude is the best policy to promote safe
highways in Colorado. The most common motorist caused car-bicycle or car-motorcycle collision is a
motorist turning left in front of an oncoming bicycle or motorcycle. Drivers may fail to see cyclists or
a driver may fail to judge the speed of oncoming cyclists. As a driver, remember to look for cyclists
at the right side of the lane or on the shoulder and then look again. Make sure you see the cyclist
and know their speed before you make your left turn.
Bicycles travel in the same direction as motor vehicles and are entitled to the full lane when
traveling at the normal speed of traffic. However, they are generally moving more slowly and will
usually travel to the right of the right lane or on the shoulder or bike lane. Exceptions include
making left turns, or when a right turn lane is present and the cyclist is traveling straight through.
Motorcycles are entitled to the same full lane width as other vehicles. Bicycles and motorcycles are
smaller, harder to see and can move faster and stop faster than expected. Their control is more
easily hampered by road defects and debris. Use extra caution when sharing the road with bicycles
and motorcycles, and increase your following distance.

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PUBLIC TRANSIT
“RTD” is the company that provides most of the public transit in the Denver Metro area. Schedules,
fares and other services can be found on their website: www.rtd-denver.com.
MARIJUANA
The Law
 Colorado residents 21 and older can purchase and possess up to 1
ounce of retail marijuana at a time; non-residents are limited to
1/2 an ounce. The biggest difference between medical and
recreational is that medical CAN be sold to those under 21 with a
medical marijuana license.
 It is illegal to consume marijuana in public regardless of the form.
Centura Policy
• Amendment 64 legalized medical and recreational marijuana in the
State of Colorado. The supreme court of Colorado has upheld an employer’s right to view a drug
screen that is positive for marijuana as incompatible with employment, even if the candidate has a
medical marijuana card. Centura Health takes this issue seriously and will not employ anyone with a
drug screen that is positive for marijuana or any other non-prescriptive medications that could
possibly affect a person’s ability to care for patients. If you wish more information on this subject,
please ask for the formal policy.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
It isn’t called ‘the Mile High’ city for nothing. Denver is at 5,280 feet above sea level and has 17% less
oxygen than cities at sea level (Lakewood sits just above at 5,445 feet above sea level). If you are
moving here from just about anywhere, you will notice the altitude for a few days or a few weeks. Here
are a few tips to help you adjust.
Symptoms include:
 Headache that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine
 Nausea or vomiting
 Dizziness or lightheadedness
 Weakness or fatigue
 Difficulty sleeping
 Loss of appetite
A. Take it slow – a slow ascent is one way to prevent altitude sickness, but this may not be
practical if you’re flying direct! Try to give your body a break and take it easy once you are on
solid ground.

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B. Drink MORE water – Doctors seem to agree that acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid
loss, so you need to drink lots of water to remain properly hydrated (at least 3-4 quarts per day).
C. EAT MORE pasta – Melissa Gallagher, founder of Healthy Being, LLC says “A carb-rich diet is key
because carbohydrates naturally replace muscle glycogen levels and prevent protein from being
burned as energy.” Additionally, high-carb diets also require less oxygen for metabolism and
digestion.
D. Iron-man! – some doctors recommend increasing iron consumption prior to ascent, though the
medical explanation is unclear.
E. BREATHE – try to take a few deep breathes every hour. You might also try the yogic breath
exercise called pranayama to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood. One method,
explained by online resource yogasite.com, involves involves 3 steps. 1) Sit with dignity and take
long, slow, deep breaths through the nostrils. 2) Allow the breath to be gentle and relaxed as
you slightly contract the back of your throat, creating a hissing sound as you breathe in and out.
3) Lengthen the inhalation and exhalation as much as possible without creating tension
anywhere in the body. Repeat.
F. Get up your Go with Gingko – Gingko enhances circulation which is why some researchers think
it helps alleviate the effects of thinner air. Mark Rosenberg, MD says, “The best way to protect
yourself from altitude sickness is to begin taking 60 mg of gingko each day at least five days
before your ascent. Studies show its effective just one day before, but five days provides even
better results. I recommend using a gingko extract rather than a capsule-generally liquids
absorb into your body better.”
G. Sherpa Soup – The famous sherpa guides of Nepal reportedly serve garlic soup to patients with
altitude sickness. Medical research in this area is lacking, but if you’re game to experiment, try
this recipe from cooks.com: 2 c. chicken broth 4 med. potatoes, cut in quarters 1 whole elephant
garlic 1/4 c. chopped basil 1/4 c. good olive oil 1. Cover potatoes with water and bring to boil.
Cook until fork tender with whole elephant garlic that has been cleaned and chopped. 2. When
potatoes and garlic are fork tender transfer water, potatoes and garlic to blender. Add chicken
broth and blend all until smooth. Transfer all to pan and heat to boil. 3. Put into individual soup
bowls. Top with a swirl of olive oil and sprinkle with basil. Serves 4.
H. Listen to your body – rest and sleep will help you adjust to the elevation. That sluggish,
exhausted feeling is your body’s way of telling you to get some rest. If you experience a
headache that does not go away, chest tightness or fullness, inability to catch your breath, fever,
walking with a staggering gait, confusion, visual changes or changes in your ability to think, you
should consult a physician as these can signify a much more serious high altitude sickness.

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WEBSITES AND OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
http://www.denver.org/things-to-do
Heart of Art: Denver's Golden Triangle neighborhood brims with more
than 30 innovative art galleries and artists' studios showcasing the
innovative wares of nationally renowned talent and regional up-and-
comers. First Friday Art Walk, a shuttled gallery tour that takes place the
first Friday of each month, is a terrific way to tour art marts like Walker
Fine Art (300 W. 11th St.). The Golden Triangle art galleries are bordered
by Speer Boulevard, Colfax Avenue and Lincoln Street. Shuttle tours begin at the Osage Street Light Rail
Station.
Colorado State Capitol Tour: The Colorado State Capitol, modeled after the Capitol Building in
Washington D.C., is a stunning spectacle embellished with stained glass depicting events and people
inherent to Colorado, coupled with gorgeous Colorado white granite, rose onyx and yule marble. To see
if you've got what it takes to adjust to the altitude, climb the 99-step spiral staircase to an open-air deck
affording jaw-dropping views of the city skyline and Rocky Mountains. The Corinthian-styled building,
famed for its gold-plated dome rising 272 feet above the ground, offers temporary exhibits, visitor
galleries, and complimentary tours by reservation. Note: The Capitol Dome will be undergoing major
structural renovations for 2-3 years and not offering tours during that time-frame.
Tattered Cover Bookstore: No visit to Denver would be complete without a journey through the
Tattered Cover Bookstore, one of the top independent booksellers in the country. This astounding
literary marvel boasts several Metro Denver locations, but the newest store, in the renovated
Lowenstein Theater on a burgeoning stretch of East Colfax, is the talk of the town. Grab a latte from the
in-house java joint, plop down in one of the overstuffed chairs or sofas to wrap your hands around the
latest best seller, or attend a free book signing or author lecture from big-names like John Gray, Al Gore,
Annie Leibovitz, and Garrison Keillor
United State Mint Tour: To see where your currency is conceived (sorry, no free handouts), follow the
money trail to the one of only two mints in the United States. Hour-long weekday tours led by
knowledgeable guides provide a fascinating look into the history of coinage, and both kids and adults
love getting up close and personal with the shiny pocket change that streams off the production lines.
Admission is complimentary, but reservations must be booked in advance.
Jeffco.us - http://jeffco.us/open-space/parks/
Running North to South along the front range, Jefferson County parks and open spaces are some of the
nicest you will find in Colorado. This web site features a list of all Jeffco open space parks with
descriptions and maps. Most are open year round and all are free. While fishing is allowed when
available, you must have a Colorado fishing license. Why not make a goal to hike through all 30?

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Hunting & Fishing Licenses: Colorado Parks & Wildlife Total Licensing
System – https://www2.co.wildlifelicense.com/start.php
All Colorado hunt and/or fishing licenses may be purchased online or at
over 300 licensed retailers (see website for list). If you are 16 and older,
a Colorado Annual resident fishing license is $26, $56 for non-residents.
Individuals aged 18 through 64 must also purchase a $10 habitat stamp
with the first purchase of the year. Residency qualifications: must live in
Colorado at least six consecutive months immediately before applying for
or buying a license, possess a valid Colorado Driver’s license and provide
the same address as listed on your Colorado income tax return.

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ACRONYMS, NICKNAME& ABBREVIATIONS
To help you acclimate and, hopefully, better understand your new home, here are some common
acronyms, nicknames and abbreviations:
Acronym, Nickname or
Abbreviation
Explanation or Meaning
5280
The elevation of Denver – if you want to stand exactly a mile high, go to the.
13th
step of the Capital building.
Breck Breckenridge, CO
Colorado Carwash Using a fresh clump of snow to wipe down your car, windshields, etc.
Colorado Casual
(aka as John Denver formal) – a long sleeve button up shirt tucked into jean
(Wranglers of course) accompanied by a brown belt and Nike trainers or
cowboy boots.
Colorado drag race
Interstate 25 in Colorado, especially the section between Colorado Springs
and Denver that is mostly only 2 lanes on each side, is notorious for drivers
who block the left lane doing 60 mph because they feel the need to pass the
guy in the right lane doing 59.7 mph. (The speed limit is 75.) This is called
Colorado drag racing.
Cowtown Greeley, CO
FAC Friday Afternoon Club – (happy hour, happy hour bbq)
Five Points One of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods
Flatlander Anyone who ISN’T from Colorado 
Green Mountain
The first mountain to mark the transition between the plains and the
foothills of the Rockies. A popular destination for hikers, it offers a lovely
view of Denver and the mountains. It is located between 6th
Avenue &
Alameda Parkway (N to S) and C-470 and Union (E to W).
LODO Denver’s lower downtown area
Poudre
The Cache La Poudre River (pronounced ‘pooder’ – runs through Greeley &
Fort Collins and floods occasionally) – beautiful camping and hiking.
Satan’s Steed
One of the nicknames for the blue horse sculpture just outside of Denver
International Airport (DIA)
Summit or Summit
County
The area just over the continental divide (I-70 west and through the
Eisenhower tunnels) including the towns of Dillon, Breckenridge, and Frisco
and the following ski areas: Keystone, Breckenridge, Loveland and Copper
Mountain.
the ‘interstate’ I-25
the ‘mousetrap’ The intersection of I-25 &I-70
the Foothills
Denver is actually located 15 miles east of here-a gentle series of peaks
ranging from 7,000 to 11,000 feet-and not in the actual mountains (contrary
to popular belief).
The Fort, FOCO, FTC Fort Collins, CO
the Front Range A series of mountain peaks (some as high as 14,000 feet) just beyond the
continental divide
the Springs Colorado Springs, CO

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You know you’re from COLORADO if:
-You'll eat ice cream in the winter.
-It snows 5 inches and you don't expect school to
be cancelled.
-You'll wear flip flops every day of the year,
regardless of temperature.
-You have no accent at all, but can hear other
people’s. And then you make fun of them.
-'Humid' is over 25%.
-Your sense of direction is: Toward the mountains and Away from the mountains.
-You say 'the interstate' and everybody knows which one.
-You think that May is a totally normal month for a blizzard.
-You grew up planning your Halloween costumes around your coat.
-You know what the Continental Divide is.
-You don't think Coors beer is that big of a deal.
-You went to Casa Bonita as a kid.
-You've gone off-roading in a vehicle that was never intended for such activities.
-You always know the elevation of where you are.
-You wake up to a beautiful, 80 degree day and you wonder if it's going to snow
tomorrow.
-You don't care that some company renamed it, the Broncos still play at Mile
High.
-Every movie theater has military and student discounts.
-Everybody wears jeans to church.
–You actually know that South Park is a real place not just a show on TV.
-You know what a 'trust fund hippy' is, and you know its natural habitat is Boulder.
-You know you're talking to a fellow Coloradoan when they call it Elitches, not Six
Flags.
-A bear on your front porch doesn't bother
you.
-Your two favorite teams are the Broncos and
whoever is beating the crap out of the
Raiders.
-You've been to the original Chipotle near the
DU campus on Evans.
-When people out East tell you they have
mountains in their state too, you just laugh.
-You go anywhere else on the planet and the air feels 'sticky' and you notice the
sky is no longer blue.