Happy Independence Day!

Today is the 235th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776, the American colonies of New England declared themselves to be a sovereign nation separate from Great Britain.

For businesses throughout the country, it is a day of high expectations, as people can be counted upon to hit the road and do their part to keep American commerce humming.

Bill Dodds-Scott, 85, Glenwood Springs, retired: “One thing, it's my birthday. Fourth of July means quite a bit to me. I like the fireworks. It's a good day.

“Fourth of July, of course, was the independence of the United States and everything, and that means a lot to me. It's a great country. I've been around a little bit, of course, and this is the best country in the world, and Colorado is the tops.”

Tara Meixsell, 50, New Castle, writer and teacher: “Baking cherry pie and making potato salad. To be honest, I often don't go out to public events, having to work. But it's a time for me to relax and kick back and take time for, what to me, are traditional foods. The cherry pie thing started in college, because we had a huge cherry tree out back.

“I'm from Sudbury, Mass.,

and that was very much in the area where the American Revolution was born. So, being a kid, it was very patriotic. My brother was in the fife and drum corps, we were all very patriotic.”

Fourth of July is about “just trying to be a country, trying to stay together as a country. It's about the country, and feeling like you're at home no matter where you are.”

Dave Moore, 71, mayor of Silt, developer: “Traditionally, we have family over, and that'll be no different this year. We're having my son and daughter-in-law, and my two grandchildren.

“Also, we like to go to Ouray to see the festivities down there. I think it's a beautiful little town. They call it Little Switzerland, and it's a nice place to go on a little tour without having to spend a lot of money.”

Fourth of July “means the freedoms, the liberty we've had to enjoy here in America. It's time to reflect on what a great country we have in America, what it means to each one of us.”

 “Independence Day makes me consider my duty, what I owe to my country, because my life is fortunate and blessed. It makes me want to be a more dedicated American, to do my part to support my country. I admire the Minute Men, the people who were ready to respond at a moment's notice to a crisis.

“As a kid, I used to love fireworks, but I would like to see people lose their need for the fireworks displays, because in this country it's too dangerous.”

Judith Hayward, 69, mayor pro-tem of Parachute, full-time volunteer: “I always think about the flag, and make sure I hang it up outside. In the past, when I was closer to family, it was always picnics and just the family getting together, having fun, baseball, croquet, those kind of games.

“I'm proud to be an American, and I think the Fourth of July is the United States' celebration of independence and democracy. I was just watching on TV, they were talking about immigrants who were being made citizens of the U.S. I just thought, there are a lot of people that are happy to be accepted into the United States, so that also reminds me about the Fourth of July.”

Keith Lambert, 62, mayor of Rifle, retired teacher: “The tradition varies, because in a lot of instances we've been out of town for the Fourth. When we are in town, we certainly avail ourselves of the local fireworks, sometimes a barbecue goes with that, getting together with friends, just enjoying the companionship of friends and neighbors and family.

“My best friend growing up, his birthday was on the Fourth of July, and we referred to him as the Freedom Baby. When I was a kid we used to go swimming on the Fourth every year (in backyard pools in Tucson), and he was a big part of that, and it's carried on even though we're not together any more.

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